Tom Ehrich reflects on 10 lessons he believes we have learned since 911:
10 lessons we’ve learned in the 10 years since 9/11
By Tom Ehrich in Religion News Service
It’s been 10 years since 9/11, and of the countless lessons we’ve learned since then, here are 10 of the most important:
First, an open society invites attack. Not only do we present an abundance of targets that we cannot possibly defend, but America’s openness is offensive to the repressive, the insular, and the intolerant.
Second, an open society won’t be easily intimidated or vanquished. Terrorists deeply wounded New York City, but here we are, 10 years later, more alive, more confident, more open than ever. Democracy is a durable system.
Third, the issue isn’t Islam, but rather religious extremism in any form — Muslim, Christian or otherwise. When one group claims absolute certainty and the belief that all others are infidels or pagans who do not deserve freedom, then the inevitable next steps will be repression and destruction.
Fourth, common sense is the antidote to such religious extremism…