Trump’s Muslim Ban Is a Religious Test for People of Faith
the Trump administration’s executive order to ban
refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries and to give preference to
Christians has now forced leaders of all faiths to declare how American they
truly are. By American, I do not mean the perverted notion of nationalism
embedded in President Donald Trump’s offensive, unnecessary and damaging travel
and immigration ban. I mean the America on display at international airports
this weekend, when thousands spontaneously converged to welcome and assist the
suffering, in many cases using religious vernacular and ritual to frame their
just protest. By American, I do not mean the pretended religiosity of people
like Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who made a big show of praying at a
rebbe’s grave before the election and hosting VIPs for Shabbat dinner on the
very day that their father and patron announced this despicable ban, but have
uttered nary a public word of protest. I mean the America in which churches,
mosques and synagogues help resettle those fleeing from war and strife. I mean
the America in which of the nine national agencies that resettle refugees, six
are faith-based groups. I mean the America that refuses to be a fortress built
on fear but aspires to be a beacon of liberty to those of all faiths. That America
emerged this weekend, as rabbis and other religious leaders led demonstrations,
and houses of worship organized civic actions, and faith leaders of many
religions denounced the ban. But there is still an unconscionable silence from
some supposed faith leaders, and worse, support for the ban from others.
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