Daniel Nagashima, USA General Director Soka Gakkai International (SGI)
Nichiren school of Mahayana Buddhism

“We share with our fellow Americans the sense of shock and horror that goes beyond words in response to the explosions Tuesday morning at the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon, and the plane crash in Western Pennsylvania. While we do not yet know the full extent of loss, we know it is great, and our hearts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been lost in this tragedy.

I call on all SGI-USA members to offer both their prayers and other assistance where possible to comfort those affected by this catastrophe.

The cycle of hatred, violence and retribution that lies at the root of this horror must end. I fully understand the desire for justice that arises when a tragedy like this occurs. It is my deepest hope, however, that our nation's response will not be driven by a blind desire for vengeance, but rather a renewed determination to work for a peaceful and just world. The single great evil that must be opposed is not one group of people or another, but rather the hatred that continues to find root in human hearts.

Let's now put our energies toward comforting those who are suffering. Then let us work to rise from the ashes of hatred with a sense of hope and resolve.”

Pope John Paul II - Roman Catholicism

“I cannot begin this audience without expressing my profound sorrow at the terrorist attacks which yesterday brought death and destruction to America, causing thousands of victims and injuring countless people. To the President of the United States and to all American citizens I express my heartfelt sorrow. In the face of such unspeakable horror we cannot but be deeply disturbed. I add my voice to all the voices raised in these hours to express indignant condemnation, and I strongly reiterate that the ways of violence will never lead to genuine solutions to humanity's problems.

Yesterday was a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity. After receiving the news, I followed with intense concern the developing situation, with heartfelt prayers to the Lord. How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty? The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail. Christ's word is the only one that can give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it.

With deeply felt sympathy I address myself to the beloved people of the United States in this moment of distress and consternation, when the courage of so many men and women of good will is being sorely tested. In a special way I reach out to the families of the dead and the injured, and assure them of my spiritual closeness. I entrust to the mercy of the Most High the helpless victims of this tragedy, for whom I offered Mass this morning, invoking upon them eternal rest. May God give courage to the survivors; may he sustain the rescue-workers and the many volunteers who are presently making an enormous effort to cope with such an immense emergency. I ask you, dear brothers and sisters, to join me in prayer for them. Let us beg the Lord that the spiral of hatred and violence will not prevail. May the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Mercy, fill the hearts of all with wise thoughts and peaceful intentions.

Today, my heartfelt sympathy is with the American people, subjected yesterday to inhuman terrorist attacks which have taken the lives of thousands of innocent human beings and caused unspeakable sorrow in the hearts of all men and women of good will. Yesterday was indeed a dark day in our history, an appalling offence against peace, a terrible assault against human dignity.

I invite you all to join me in commending the victims of this shocking tragedy to Almighty God' s eternal love. Let us implore his comfort upon the injured, the families involved, all who are doing their utmost to rescue survivors and help those affected.

I ask God to grant the American people the strength and courage they need at this time of sorrow and trial.”

Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of TIKKUN Magazine and rabbi of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue - Judaism

RedHawk - Native American

9/11/01 2:41 PM

“I hope that all of us here, no matter what our differences are will bind together at this time of national tragedy. Whether or not some could consider this "chickens come home to roost", our fellow citizens have been brutally murdered by those who live by unbounded hatred, caring nothing for the lives of others or themselves.

Please find time to pray for the dead, injured, missing and their families.

Pray for our leaders, even if, and especially if you don't like them. They are all we've got. Let's stick together as we are all born here "Native Americans". May the Creator of Life itself, watch over us and help us in this trial.

Peace, RedHawk”

Rev. Laeaurra Flamehawk-Mitchell,Founding Director Interfaith Order of Intercession - Pagan

Rev. William G. Sinkford President, Unitarian Universalist Association - Unitarian

“...
Let us know our fear, but not allow it to overwhelm us. For most of us, life normally seems safe and secure. But people in many parts of the world, and many people in our part of the world, know violence and potential violence in their daily life.

The terrorist attacks are being likened to Pearl Harbor, a "day that will live in infamy." Pearl Harbor did galvanize this nation into action, and my hope is that this tragedy, too, will impel us to address the brokenness of our world that makes violence an imaginable solution. Remember that Pearl Harbor led to the impounding and imprisonment of thousands of innocent Japanese Americans. There are Arab and Muslim communities in this country and around the world that grieve as we do, and fear as we do. I hope our congregations will reach out to those communities and stand with them.

We must seek justice and, as our President says, punish those responsible. But retribution will not create safety, nor move us toward justice. This tragedy tests our faith. Where is God in this? Where is the Spirit of Life? May our congregations be centers of support where we can bring our questions and our fears, where we can find the presence of the holy in our coming together.
... ”

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) - Islamic

“(Plainfield, IN - 9/11/2001) - The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) joins Muslim Americans and all Americans in expressing its deep sorrow over the apparently deliberate air-crashes in New York and Washington, DC that have led to the loss of countless innocent lives.

ISNA joins Muslim organizations throughout North America in condemning theses apparent terrorist attacks and calls upon Muslim Americans to come forward with their skills and resources to help alleviate the sufferings of the affected people and their families. ISNA condemns these apparently senseless acts of terrorism against innocent civilians, which will only be counterproductive to any agenda the perpetrators may have had in mind. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts.

We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators, and call upon our justice system to maintain strict standards of justice and fairness in these trying times.

We also urge the media to exercise restraint, and to act responsibly when reporting on these terrorist attacks. Until the perpetrators are brought to justice, all media reports should be accurate, restrained and sensitive. Let us pray to God that He may Guide us all to keep firm in following our principles and offer relief to the victims of violence wherever they may be.”

The Dalai Lama's Letter to President Bush - Tibetan Buddhism

“I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks that took place involving four apparently hijacked aircrafts and the immense devastation these caused. It is a terrible tragedy that so many innocent lives have been lost and it seems unbelievable that anyone would choose to target the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. We are deeply saddened. On behalf of the Tibetan people I would like to convey our deepest condolence and solidarity with the American people during this painful time. Our prayers go out to the many who have lost their lives, those who have been injured and the many more who have been traumatized by this senseless act of violence. I am attending a special prayer for the United States and its people at our main temple today.

I am confident that the United States as a great and powerful nation will be able to overcome this present tragedy. The American people have shown their resilience, courage and determination when faced with such difficult and sad situations.

It may seem presumptuous on my part, but I personally believe we need to think seriously whether a violent reaction is the right thing to do and in the greater interest of the nation and the people in the long run. I believe violence will only increase the cycle of violence. But how do we deal with hatred and anger which are often the root causes of such senseless violence? This is a very difficult question, especially when it concerns a nation and we have certain fixed conceptions of how to deal with such attacks. I am sure you will make the right decision.”

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) - Mennonite

“Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) expresses great horror and sadness for events in New York and Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Sept. 11. We grieve at the loss of life and the sorrow of families and friends of those injured and killed, and encourage all people to pray for them.

These senseless tragedies can lead a nation and its leaders to react out of frustration and anger, and to make decisions and actions while in a state of trauma. We encourage our leaders to make decisions with wisdom, reflection and deliberation, and encourage all people to resist the upward spiraling of more violence. We call on our leaders to exercise restraint in their response.

We encourage churches to reach out to those within their communities who might become innocent scapegoats and the object of anger and hasty retribution. If need be, we ask that these people be offered support and protection. We encourage church members to donate blood through their local Red Cross or other local blood donation banks in their area as there is a shortage of blood for those wounded.

As a church rooted in a theology of non-violence and reconciliation, we call on Christians and others to remain prayerful and take positive steps toward healing a nation contorted by such senseless acts of violence. Even in these most painful moments we urge people to remember that Christ calls us to seek forgiveness. Only through reconciliation will peace with justice be found, and the humanity of all people be affirmed. Mennonite Central Committee Akron, PA U.S.A.”

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) - Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

“...
We join with people across the country and around the world in expressing the hope that those who planned and orchestrated these terrible acts will soon be brought to justice under the rule of law. We are concerned, however, about how the U.S. government responds now. First, we are concerned that the U.S. not avenge these attacks with attacks upon other innocent people who may happen to be of the same nationality, faith, or ethnic group as the alleged perpetrators. This concern extends to protecting the safety and rights of people here at home. Many in this country of the Islamic faith or of Middle Eastern descent are worried that they may now become the unwarranted focus of suspicion in their communities or, worse, the subjects of unjust persecution. Second, many in the administration and Congress have declared that a state of war now exists. We are concerned that these public statements may be stirring the popular will and expectation for war. We wonder: War against whom? Cooler heads must prevail in the U.S. government during this time of crisis. War will only compound the tremendous assault on humanity that has already occurred. War is not the answer. The people who committed these acts struck with hatred. They saw the people in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the aircraft as faceless enemies. They denied the humanity of their victims. The U.S. must not commit the same sin by compounding the hatred, violence, and injustice of these attacks with its own acts of terror and war against another people, most of whom are innocent of these crimes.

Finally, the people who planned these suicide attacks were able to draw volunteers from a growing number of people around the world who harbor deep resentment and anger toward the U.S. It is important that we in the U.S. try to hear and understand the sources of this anger. If we in the U.S. do not seek to understand and address the roots of this anger--poverty, injustice, and hopelessness--then the violence may well continue, no matter what the U.S. does to try to prevent it.

As members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) we witness to that spirit of love which takes away the occasion of war. Out of darkness and tragedy, may God show us the path of true and lasting peace.
... ”

UrsulaW, Foundation for Shamanic Studies (FSS) - Native American

9/11/01 6:53 PM Friends —

“I agree with Redhawk that this is a time for prayer. If you have some experience in journeying (or in meditation), it's also a time to offer what help we can. Following are a couple of techniques that you can use even if you have only a little experience journeying — or if you know your power animal and can visualize him/her in meditation.

First, if you journey, you can send power to help those directly dealing with the situation. The most common form of this is through personal knowledge. If, for instance, you know someone who is a rescue worker in New York, and you know who their power animal is, you can send power to that person through their power animal, to sustain them physically and spiritually and protect them from harm. If you know someone who is injured, you can send power through their power animal to help them survive and heal. However, the odds are you don't know people individually in these circumstances — much less who their power animal is.

However, in some circumstances certain spirits offer themselves to receive spiritual power and channel it to help the whole situation. In this case, when I journeyed and asked, I was shown that power can be sent through two spirits in New York and one at the Pentagon.

In New York, I saw White-tail Deer, in the form of a doe, big enough to be seen above the skyline. White-tail Deer was and is a major spiritual presence and guardian of the land in the Eastern Woodlands area of the US — similar in some ways to the role of Buffalo on the plains. I also saw Crow in NYC. At the Pentagon, I saw Eagle.

If you want to help in this way, this is what you do. Sit in a comfortable way, facing New York or Washington. Have someone drum, put on a tape — however you usually journey. Let yourself go into a deepened, altered state — just as if you were about to go down your tunnel. But you don't go down your tunnel. You stay present in the room. You may want to stand up (in spirit), so that you can feel the separation between your shamanic body and your physical body. Or you may remain seated. You are now in the shamanic state of consciousness, but in the Middle World, not the Upper or Lower worlds.

Look for the city where you want to help. Distance is not a bar in the shamanic state; you will be able to see however far you need to. Look for Deer or Crow in NYC, or for Eagle at the Pentagon. If you can see one of them, you can send power.

NOTE: Do NOT use this technique to send power in a generalized throw-it-in-that-direction way. Send power only to a spirit who has volunteered to receive it and use it to help this situation.

When you see the animal who will receive power, call your own power animal to you and ask him/her to send power through you. This may work in many different ways. You may well find yourself moving physically, as well as in your shamanic body. For instance, you may find yourself holding your hands a foot or two apart. Your animal may stand in front of you and breath power into the space between your hands, until it becomes an intense glowing ball like a small sun. Or your p.a. may use some other way to place intense energy between your hands. Then it will step aside, and you can send the power, using a combination of mental focus, intention, and a gesture like throwing a ball. It will arc across the distance (across a continent or an ocean if need be — it doesn't matter) until it hits the receiving spirit animal. You can do this repeatedly, and see the receiving animal glowing more and more brightly with the energy it is holding. Or the form of sending may be different. Often, one of my power animals will stand behind me, hands on my shoulders. I will feel power flowing down my arms and building up around my hands. When it gets really strong, I raise my hands and allow streams of energy to flow through, like water arcing up from a fire hose.

The point here is not to send *your* power. You'll get drained and exhausted, and do little good. The point is to let the power of the universe flow through you to a place where it is needed. Your power animal is a contact point or connector who can help you do that.

When you can see the receiving animal glowing with energy and power, you're done. Thank your power animal, and return to normal consciousness.

Important Note: NEVER send shamanic power in this way directly to an individual human being. It MUST be sent through their power animal. When sending power in this way, you can send much more than can be comfortably held by a human body at one time. You could end up disturbing someone or making them sick or harming them in other ways. But when you send through their power animal, the p.a. acts as a filter and lets power go to them in the appropriate amount and way.

In this case, the receiving power animal will channel energy to those who are injured, to rescue and medical workers, to the bereaved, etc., to bring healing to the situation.

It can be hard, sometimes, to work for such big and far off disasters, when we can't really track what effect our individual efforts may have. Still, it's good to know that you've done what you could. I hope that a number of you will decide to try this technique. Share your experience here, if you want.

——————

The second technique is simpler, and can be done both in journey or through meditation. If you journey, go to the lower world and call your power animal. If you meditate, visualize your power animal as clearly as you can, and see if you have a sense that it is in fact present with you.

Then simply ask your power animal to go to NYC or the Pentagon and to help with a specific aspect of the situation. You could ask that he/she help the rescue workers that are searching for survivors. Or that he/she help the injured survive and heal. Or ask if there are any survivors still trapped, and if you get a yes, ask your power animal to comfort them and help them be found. Or whatever you are moved to ask for. (Not punishment or vengeance for the attackers, though. When working in this way, focus only on asking for help and healing.)

There are ways in which the spirits are always involved with human beings, helping us as they can. But it is clear that there are limits on what they can do — and that there are ways in which they cannot interfere, even to help, without being asked to do so by human beings. By asking your power animal to help in this situation, you become one more human "gateway," making an opening for power and love to come through from the universe, to strengthen the processes of help and healing.

To offer help to those in pain, selflessly and out of simple compassion, is to participate in one of the most central aspects of what it means to follow the shamanic path.

Again — share your experiences here if you feel moved to.

Blessed be —

Ursula”

Seshen, The Lycian Sanctuary (Board member), Council of the Magickal Arts, Re-Formed Congregation of the Goddess (RCG) - Wicca

“Divine Lady, stand with us today in this, our darkest and finest hourÉ.

Virgin Lady of the Hunt, run on swift & silent feet with your hounds, seeking out those who have desecrated your sacred grounds. Let your retribution be decisive; your hand steady, your mind clear, your intent purposeful & just.

Blessed Mother, envelop in your loving arms your frightened children, taken from this world too soon and without the comfort of the presence of loved ones in their final moments. Touch the souls of those left behind with the pure Light of your love for them; let them know that their tears are not shed alone.

Wise Crone, guide the departed spirits across the rainbow bridge and deliver them safely to the land of the ancestors. Let the hard-won wisdom acquired carry through into the next life, so that we will not forget what has happened here.

Within every heartbeat is the dance of life; from the burning grounds will come new life. We will survive, we will endure, we will rise above the vestiges. And whatever tomorrow brings, we will stand together with heads high, our spirits united and unbroken.

The ground beneath our feet may be burnt and white with ash, but still we will dance.

So mote it be.”

Manny Olds, Vingolf Asatru Fellowship - Asatru

“9/12/01 7:42 AM

Frey, Lord of Hosts, grant us peace and good seasons. Lead us to just victory over those who think they can force us to destroy ourselves. Stand at our shoulders and lend us your strength. Let life flow back into the blasted places in our land and our hearts.

In Frith,

Manny Olds”

Rodger Kamenetz - Judaism

“...
We dig in the rubble of our own hearts, looking for the feeling. When we understand the pain of individuals, we are touched--when we view the whole panorama abstractly, as televised images repeated, we lose touch. The spectacle erases the particular: the giant building, the huge plane, the enormous rubble. These images take over, and only when we are reminded of particular human suffering can we begin to feel again. Our fear begins, then in time our fear is layered over in dust. We too are buried under the rubble of our everyday lives. We don't want to feel, don't want to know.

But we are afraid and also, at the sight of death, we are angry. We cannot help being angry. We do not yet know the enemy, but we already have an enemy because anger needs an object It is impossible to sustain our anger without an object.

Yes, anger is normal, healthy in the sense that it is not numbness. Anger, rage at our helplessness, fear, these are normal responses. The desire to help, to give blood, give money, to come up with answers, to rally behind political leaders--all this is normal. But is the anger good as a long-term condition?

Those who live in anger, whose consciousness is daily stewed in it, over time are damaged. We know this physiologically, we know this psychologically. We need to understand it spiritually. At the physiological level a constant state of anger is bad for the heart. Anger produces toxins and poisons, irritants in the blood.

At the psychological level, anger is a feedback loop. Anger produces anger. There is no evidence that “releasing” or “expressing” anger relieves it--that is based on the metaphor of anger as a kind of steam pressure that builds up. But this does not fit experience: Those who use angry words, conjure up angry images, get angrier and angrier. Their consciousness becomes steeped in anger.

At the wisdom level, anger and realism are not compatible. The angry person is convinced there is only one way of seeing a situation. An angry person is out of touch with reality in the sense of being out of touch with the wholeness of life, with the interconnectedness of life. An angry person stands outside that interconnectedness, that web of life, and sees all that belongs with him on one side, and all that threatens him on the other. It is the world of dualism, us and them--magnified and intensified.

Anger is preoccupying. Anger takes over consciousness. Anger sees more causes for anger everywhere it looks. Anger is self-satisfied and self-justifying, anger is righteous and right. And so anger becomes a god; that is, anger controls the person's every action and every perception. Anger's knowledge pretends it is omniscient, anger's power pretends it is omnipotent over the individual possessed by anger, as a person in a trance is possessed by a deity. This is why the Talmudic sages equated anger with idolatry. “Regard,” they said, an angry person "as an idolater, because such are the wiles of the Tempter: Today he says to him, 'do this,' tomorrow he tells him, do that" until he bids him, "Go and serve idols" and he goes and serves them (Shabbat 105b). Anger replaces judgment. It is so overwhelming that it comes between the person and the divine.

According to the Jewish philosopher, Maimonides, the sages have “hyperbolized in denouncing anger and fury, and the severest among their teachings is their saying, 'Everyone who is given to anger it is as if he has worshiped an idol.' They juxtaposed this with the statement, 'Neither let there be a strange god in you [i.e. anger] nor shall you bow down to a foreign god [i.e. idolatry]' (Psalms 81:10), meaning to say that the two matters are equal.”

Elsewhere Maimonides writes, “an angry person--his life is not worth living.”

We are in a trap today. We feel anger and we cannot help feeling it, but we should know that constant anger is a danger to us physically, psychologically and spiritually.

There is no simple answer. Anger such as we are feeling today seeks an enemy. It also seeks a release in an act of retribution or revenge. And yet the reality does not change, expressed in Buddhist terms in the Dhammapadda:

Anger only produces anger;

Violence produces violence
...”

Ed, Educator - Mormon

“9/14/01 5:21 PM

May I be so bold as to pray, right now, that before we begin drawing lines between “us” and “them”, that we, above all, recognize our common humanity. Christ commanded us that we are to love our enemies. It's a very difficult commandment. Hate is so much easier than love. Vengeance is so much easier than justice. The most difficult task of all is to recognize that each of us is capable of great evil, and of great good.

Before we begin demonizing the benighted souls who committed this obscene act, we should, nay we must, remember that if we were in their positions, we also might well have committed these same acts. The people who struck against us ARE people, just as we are. Their souls have been twisted, no doubt. But we must recognize that they are no different than we. They have hopes and dreams, children and grandchildren, just as we do. They ARE us, and we are them.

If we are to pray, let us pray this: “Lord, may I above all us recognize our common humanity. May we see the sacred in each person with whom we interact. There are good and evil acts, but there are no good or evil people. And above all Lord, let us be wise enough to know the difference between justice and vengeance. And may we follow the path that leads us to peace, rather than that which leads us further, and deeper, into our most primitive impulses.”

Let us not allow the acts of September 11, 2001, to drag us into the pit. Let's do better.”