As a Christian faith leader who has worked in partnership with Muslim and other faith leaders across New York City, I wish to extend my most heartfelt condolences to the families of Ambassador Christopher Stephens and the other staff members who were murdered yesterday in the US embassy in Libya. We at the Interfaith Center of New York support whole-heartedly the statement by Islamic Network Group and other American Muslims reminding us that the murder of innocent people is a far greater defamation of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed than any poisonous video about Islam–no matter how rude, disrespectful or inaccurate it might be.
Also, as a former volunteer Red Cross Chaplain at the WTC site after 9/11 conscious of the way New Yorkers of all religious traditions overcame their differences to rebuild our city, I believe that the Rev. Terry Jones and the funders of this heinous and venomous video disrespect the memory of those who perished on that day and grossly warp the true tenets of Christianity and Judaism. We as children of Abraham must do better.
The Rev. Chloe Breyer
Executive Director
The Interfaith Center of New York
