In the days after 9/11, Boyd Patterson, an assistant district attorney for Hamilton County, began reading the Quran.
Patterson, a Christian, wasn't trying to convert, but rather investigate and understand. As the fog of war enveloped the U.S., Patterson wanted clarity and discernment.
What verses could inspire terrorism? What verses were terrorists reading?
Uzma Munir, who came with others from the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga to offer their support, puts her hands to her face while listening during an interfaith vigil at Olivet Baptist Church held in remembrance of victims of the July, 16 shootings on Friday, July 17, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The vigil was held one day after gunman Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez shot and killed four U.S. Marines and wounded two others and a Chattanooga police officer at the Naval Operational Support Center on Amnicola Highway shortly after firing into the Armed Forces Career Center on Lee Highway.For more information
To purchase Patterson’s book, with proceeds going to the Chattanooga Heroes Fund, visit Amazon.com or email him at boyd@boydpatterson.com. Issa’s book will be available in the coming weeks.Patterson and Issa will speak at 6 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Chattanooga Public Library on Broad Street
David Cook"What could possibly authorize killing in the name of God?" he asked.
The word "religion" comes from the Latin "ligare," which means to bind and connect together. Humans - bound together with God and other humans in sustainable and loving ways.
Such generosity is the hallmark of the big family of God. This very day, I could introduce you to Christians, Jews and Muslims throughout this city who would give you the coat off their backs: big-hearted people, trying to walk humbly and love justice.
Yet for such religious beauty, so, too, are the distortions. The Crusades. Pogroms. Slavery in the name of God.
And today, violent jihadism.
"Why do extremists sincerely believe that the Quran justifies modern acts of terrorism?" Patterson wanted to know.
In the days after July 16 shootings here, Patterson's quest deepened. Can verses that inspire terrorism also be interpreted in different, nonviolent ways? He attended a tea party meeting, and listened as a Muslim man stood up and answered questions about Islam.
That same Muslim was at Olivet Baptist Church during the interfaith service hours after the shooting; he called for the nearly 100 local Muslims in the audience to stand up, and pledge their allegiance to the city and nation.
That man?
"Bassam Issa," Patterson said.
Issa, president of the Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga, has become known for his sincerity and willingness to discuss Islam in these delicate, vulnerable days. Patterson and Issa have formed a relationship: a Christian with questions, and a Muslim with answers.
"I'm not coming across as a prosecutor, putting Islam on trial," Patterson said. "But our enemies certainly claim to follow Islam, so I do have questions."
"I don't want to answer as a Muslim," Issa said. "I want to answer as an American who happens to be a Muslim."
We talk so much about Islam these days, yet rarely do we ever speak with - and listen to - a Muslim. It's easy to throw blanket generalizations onto the fire: all Muslims are bad! Don't teach Islam in schools! Close the borders!
Ignorance leads to paranoia and fear, which are always the underbelly of anti-democratic violence. Wouldn't it be so much more healthy and democratic for us to understand Islam and the way some verses are manipulated and twisted from their original meaning?
This is not to deny the Quranic influence on terrorism; rather, it is to face it unblinkingly in order to differentiate between radical Islam and peaceful Islam.
"The free world's common goal of keeping extremist violence separate from 'true Islam' requires us to acknowledge and answer the Quranic verses that the extremists claim justify their actions," Patterson writes.
Now, in days after Paris, the two men are going public.
A few days ago, Patterson published a book on Amazon called "A Chattanooga Citizen's Search for the Spiritual Foundation of Islamic Terrorism." It is small, with a white cover with black lettering, self-published, and contains two parts.
A list of Quranic verses that could inspire terrorism.
An essay, explaining his motivations, that can be summarized in two words:
"Reducing ignorance," Patterson said.
Issa is at work on a book that will explain, in his view, how such verses are distorted. He's writing about context, word derivation, history and the misinterpretation of verses by violent Muslims.
(There should be a third book, listing the 10 times as many Quranic verses that clearly call for peace and community.)
On Nov. 30, the two men will meet at the Chattanooga Public Library for a public discussion. It is not a debate or witch hunt, with gotcha questions. They will engage in honest, open dialogue.
I first heard about their project last week.
Hours later?
The shootings in Paris.
"It's time to have the conversation," said Patterson.
Contact David Cook at dcook@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6329. Follow him on Facebook at DavidCookTFP.