If you've been reading Talk To Action, you know something of the Institute on Religion and Democracy. This inside-the-beltway, Washington, DC organization has been working to systematically dismantle the National Council of Churches and its most powerful member denominations for a number of years. Most regrettably, the IRD has been successful in exploiting the suspicions people naturally have about their leaders. One bishop I have talked to says that she is most concerned about the way the IRD has made well-meaning church members suspicious of each other. Another has commented that "the IRD intimidates the church, and I fear that they succeed." (See the video, "Renewal or Ruin.")

How much money does it take to mail a book to 100,000 United Methodists? Who knows, but the postage alone would cost over $150,000. Presumably the books cost something also. Cynthia Astle of UMNeXus asked Jim Tonkowich, president of the IRD (and a member of NONE of the denominations the IRD works to "renew"), about the source for the funds necessary to distribute this book:

According to the Yale University Press web site, Karsh's book retails for $17 each in paperback. Purchase of 100,000 copies would cost, at minimum, $1.7 million dollars. Postage would cost at least $150,000, according to the "bound printed matter" rate given on the U.S. Postal Service web site.
 

In a telephone interview, IRD President James Tonkowich acknowledged that his Washington, DC, think tank sent out the books. A donor "interested in the project" paid for purchase of the books and the mailing costs, Tonkowich said. He declined to name the benefactor, saying, "We don't identify our donors."

Aside from the IRD's altruistic intentions (working to solve the problem that most pastors have a shortage of good books), many have raised questions about the content and intent behind the book, and its distribution by the IRD. Again, from UMNeXus:

Karsh's main scholarly argument – which he put forth in his first book and expands in the book sent out by the IRD – contends that Islam has historically held imperial ambitions that its adherents have retained today. In Karsh's view, ambitions of empire are not confined to an extremist fringe, but show "the House of Islam's" quest for world domination.

One of the myths surrounding the current debate on Islam taking place in our country, and perhaps around the world, is that most Muslims are essentially part of sleeper-cells, and that if other Muslims call upon another to join in an attack against the infidel, the Muslim is required to help. In other words (and I believe this myth is held by people on the left AND the right), Muslims have one primary allegiance above all others, and they will quickly and unquestioningly join with Bin Laden if given the chance. What a dangerous idea.

I have known many Muslims for years. I have been in Muslim homes and have been treated to the delights of Muslim hospitality (read: really good food!), and my sense is: yes, Muslims are pious people. But they too want to live their lives. They want to come home from work, play with their children, and get along with their neighbors. Just like the rest of us, they may hold opinions about religion and politics, but in the end they just want to live in freedom and raise their families in safety. I have never seen signs that the Muslims I've met were ready to attack the rest of us. But unfortunately, every week I hear of an attack against a Muslim, a Muslim family, or a mosque right here in the US. Unfortunately we non-Muslims are not treating our Muslim neighbors with the same sense of hospitality and decency.

So, what's wrong with the IRD sending out a bunch of books? Nothing, really. But consider this: I have never ready any thing that the IRD has written that didn't contain some subtle twist-of-the-knife. Even though the IRD's rhetoric is nice, flowery, and polite, it always gives the reader the impression that someone else is not to be trusted. Karsh's book is no exception. This time, though, the shift is away from distrust between church members, but to one of the most explosive relationships in the world: that of Christians and Muslims.

There's an easier way to learn about Muslims than reading books on them. Learn to say "Salaam Alaykum (the peace of God be with you)" to your Muslim neighbor. You'll have an instant friend. Then if you're particularly blessed, you'll be invited over for dinner. It will be a feast you'll never forget.