The opinions below are mine, and mine alone. You don't have to agree with them, you don't even have to read them, but I hope that you will. Then, I hope you will think about what I have said, and take it to heart.

I haven't any idea how to address this subject adequately. I only know that I must provide information about this day, and how people can best help those that remain behind. I live in Tennessee, and thus I and those I know personally, were spared the direct destruction on this day. However, that does not lessen my commitment to care, and care for, those directly impacted by these terrible acts of terrorism. I hope that those of you reading this page share that commitment to act on behalf of those who were hurt, those who have forever lost their loved ones, their coworkers, and friends, and those who have strived so valiantly to rescue the injured and recover the bodies of those innocents who died so senselessly. On the How to Help page, you'll find links to reputable organizations that are providing assistance. Please be sure, before you send money to any group, that the organization is legitimate. Unfortunately, there are people in this country who would be glad to benefit personally from the losses others have experienced.

It disturbs me so greatly that these acts were committed by people who genuinely believe they are acting in the name of God. My greatest complaint about organized religion, even in our country, is that so many religions are adamant in their belief that their way is the ONLY way to the Supreme Being. Granted, in our country, people are not often killing others to act on that belief, but they hold that belief nonetheless. You wonder why I say that Americans are not acting "often" on that belief? Remember those who were killed in abortion clinic bombings? Remember doctors who were killed by antiabortion terrorists? Those acts were perpetrated by Americans. Americans who believed that their beliefs were worth killing others to enforce. This is why I feel that fundamentalism in any form is so dangerous. Many people are crying that a return to God is the only way to save our country, but let us never forget, that a belief in God (Allah) is the reason that the terrorism of September 11, 2001 occurred.

Now, before you think that I believe we should turn away from God, let me assure that that this is not the case. I do, however, believe that we MUST learn tolerance, we must learn that there are many ways to the Supreme Being. We must acknowledge that maybe our way is NOT the only way, and that even if it is, we must not force our beliefs on others. Everyone, even the terrorist, have a right to their beliefs. They DO NOT, however, have a right to act on them in a way that hurts others.

Now, for ways you can help, or get more information about the events that took place on September 11, 2001, please click on the links below:

Ways You Can Help

The Events

Memorials for the Victims of the September 11, 2001 Attack

Religious Tolerance