People stand behind police tape at the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
We have seen it so often. Some guy or guys decides that Jews or Muslims or even Christians are a threat to the world. So they arm themselves with military style weapons and murder people they've never met at synagogues, mosques and churches. Their victims aren't armed or engaged in nefarious activity. They are worshipping or attending school or just chatting in front of their institutions.
It happened again two days ago when a security guard and two worshippers at a mosque in San Diego were killed by two boys aged 17 and 18 who were so possessed by hate they committed this terrible act. The guard was a father of nine who was beloved by many. He managed to sound the alarm to teachers at the adjacent school before the fatal confrontation.
I noticed that a nearby church immediately opened its doors to provide shelter for the evacuated schoolchildren. Within a few hours a California Jewish organization issued a statement decrying this crime based on religious hatred. Ultimately, we should all know that prejudices and violence against any religious group puts us all people of faith at peril. I think of the Muslim community which provided solace and financial support to the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh a few years ago after a gunman killed a number of people.
It is bizarre that so often it seems that that it is the fundamentalists within religious groups, whatever their stripe, who foment discrimination and threat. In the United States and Canada there are Christian extremists who are no longer quiet about their contempt for those who practice other religions. In Israel there is a disturbing rise in anti-Islam and anti-Christian violence perpetrated by Jewish fundamentalists. In some African nations Islamic extremists kidnap or kill Christians. It is hatred that becomes an idolatrous religion and it is all so senseless and a spiral into hell on earth.
In the midst of this tragedy we can be vigilant in condemning religious prejudice in all forms, speaking our truth when necessary. Those of us who follow Jesus, the Jew, can make peace in our thoughts and words and deeds. We can support interfaith dialogue and understanding and promote solidarity.
God of us all, comfort those who mourn in San Diego.
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