Last Tuesday a New York cab driver was stabbed for being Muslim.

A Florida pastor has called on September 11^th to be “International Burn a Qur’an day.”

Voices of hate, intolerance, and bigotry have been growing in our country, and their current target is the Muslim community.

Religious leaders can help respond to this intolerance by declaring that the weekend of September 11^th is not a time to burn a Qur’an but to “Preach Tolerance, Preach the Qur’an.”

We call on religious leaders of all faiths to devote the lesson on the weekend of September 11 to the theme of religious tolerance. We encourage you to teach within your tradition, citing the texts of your faith that promote respect. We also encourage you to help your community see a more complete picture of Islam by highlighting texts from the Qur’an that promote peace and respect for difference.

Don’t stop at your congregations doors! If your congregation will participate, let ICPJ know so we can get the word out. Email us at chuck@icpj.net or cal 734-6639-1870.

Continue Reading »

This July ICPJ is be hosting an on-line and in-person discussion of Ending the US War in Afghanistan: A Primer by David Wildman and Phyllis Bennis.

To participate, all you have to do is add your comments about the book below.

For the fourth and last week, we will discuss the pages 146-183 (Section 6). You can also read the discussion from the first week’s,  second week’s, and third week’s readings .

Here are the questions to get you started, or comment on whatever interests  you!

We will also have a face-to-face discussion of the book on Monday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Dominick’s (812 Monroe Street, Ann Arbor).

To get your copy, just call 734-663-1870 or email chuck@icpj.net. They are just $10 each (plus shipping and handling).

Stay tuned next Monday for the next section and next week’s questions.

This July ICPJ is be hosting an on-line and in-person discussion of Ending the US War in Afghanistan: A Primer by David Wildman and Phyllis Bennis.

To participate, all you have to do is add your comments about the book below.

For the third week, we will discuss the pages 96-145 (part of section 4 and section 5). You can also read the discussion from the first week’s reading and the second week’s reading.

Here are the questions to get you started, or comment on whatever interests  you!

1. Do you believe the environment should be a top priority when at war with another country? How much should it be considered? What is more important? pg. 110
2. If you were an Afghan, what would be your stance if a country like the US came in and decided what was best for you? What do you believe is your duty as a citizen to do about the US not listening to the Afghan people? pg. 122
3. What do you believe the best solution is (or a possible solution could be) to the statement that “it is not possible for several countries to wage separate wars in the same country and be successful” when we are doing just that? pg. 134
4. Do you believe the US has a duty to help rebuild countries it wars in? What about helping people who are already impoverished in those countries? What if this help comes at the expense of impoverished American citizens? pg. 144

We will also have a face-to-face discussion of the book on Monday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Dominick’s (812 Monroe Street, Ann Arbor).

To get your copy, just call 734-663-1870 or email chuck@icpj.net. They are just $10 each (plus shipping and handling).

Stay tuned next Monday for the next section and next week’s questions.

This July ICPJ is be hosting an on-line and in-person discussion of Ending the US War in Afghanistan: A Primer by David Wildman and Phyllis Bennis.

To participate, all you have to do is add your comments about the book below.

For the second week, we will discuss the pages 54-95 (section 3 and part of 4). You can also read the discussion from the first week’s reading.

Here are the questions to get you started, or comment on whatever interests  you!

1. How do you think the US should have handled its relations with Afghanistan during the Cold War? pg. 58
2. Did the US have the right to overthrow the Taliban and replace it with their chosen government? What should they have done? pg. 70
3. What do you believe we can and should do as US citizens when top military officials are saying the war in Afghanistan is no longer sustainable, yet the President isn’t listening? pg. 82
4. Do you support the decision of the US – a proudly democratic country -to support dictators, murderers and warlords to further its own agenda? pg. 87

We will also have a face-to-face discussion of the book on Monday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Dominick’s (812 Monroe Street, Ann Arbor).

To get your copy, just call 734-663-1870 or email chuck@icpj.net. They are just $10 each (plus shipping and handling).

Stay tuned next Monday for the next section and next week’s questions.

This July ICPJ will be hosting an on-line and in-person discussion of Ending the US War in Afghanistan: A Primer by David Wildman and Phyllis Bennis.

To participate, all you have to do is add your comments about the book below.

For the first week, we will discuss the first 2 sections, pages 1-58. Continue Reading »

We were all horrified when we saw the photos of abuse of foreign detainees in Abu Ghraib. We should all be aghast at the continued abuse of domestic inmates in U.S. prisons.

This Monday, June 14, we’ll discuss the connection between torture of inmates at home and abroad in a panel discussion with four amazing panelsts. Join us for the discussion:

What: Human Rights Beyond the Prison Door: Stopping Detainee Torture and Prisoner Abuse, a panel discussion

When: Monday, June 14, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Ann Arbor Public Library, Downstairs Multipurpose Room, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 (Map).

Details: Contact Chuck Warpehoski, Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, 734-663-1870, chuck@icpj.net.

Who: Our panelsts include: Continue Reading »