Everyone should have a Pope

I think every religion could benifit from a leader that rises above all other leaders.

Islam - I just did a google search for "Islamic leaders in the United States", and three of the first four finds where terrorists. You can probably attribute a percentage of this due to some media bias (either perceived or real). I don't think it is a good idea just to give up there. Who are the Islamic leaders that aren't terrorists? I know they are out there, I have even heard some on NPR, or referenced in news articles, but they don't have a brand name like the Pope, or Billy Graham, or Rev. Jesse Jackson, etc. Is it becuase they are minorities? What about Dr. Martin Luther King? Dr. King was a minority at a time when (I'd argue) blacks faced more discrimination than Muslims do now. I don't think that the news or social attitudes are the reasons we can't recognize Islams leaders, it's becuase they don't draw as much attention to themselves as the Saddam Hussein's, Bin Laden's, Ayman al-Zawahiri's, etc. I don't think terror acts are the only thing that will draw the people's attention to a religious leader, Ghandi for example is a household name.

I claim that each branch of Islam should have an official leader, similar to a Pope, that could speak on behalf of the religion. Not only would this help non-Muslim understanding of the religion, but I contend that it would also help young Muslims appreciate their own religion. For those that are on the edge of becoming terrorist, they could see another way. A respected Islamic leader showing them a peaceful vision of Islam that they maybe have not seen before.


Judaism - Fortunately for me, when I did a google search on Jewish leaders, no terrorists came up. However, I still think there is a lot of anit-semitism in this world. A lot of misunderstanding and unfair stereotypes. There are lots of rabbis out there, but just like with Islam, none of the leaders are household names. Jews are losing numbers for a variety of reasons. Throughout history, we've been plagued with huge challenges. As many religions today are facing a society with a loss of faith, Judaism is too. Pope John Paul II did a lot for the Catholic churh, I think a rabbi with a good understanding of current events and Judaism would be a great benifit as an outspoken Jewish leader. Each branch of Judaism should have an official leader. Orthodox Jew's would not be well represented by Reform, and vice versa.

I'm not so optomistic as to think a leader for each religion would solve all of their problems. Certainly the Catholics have their share of issues. Even the way the Pope is treated is borderline idolotry or Pope worship. However, I don't think that having a leader for a religion necessitates worshiping him/her. Finding a Muslim Ghandi, or a Jewish Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would go along way in soothing religious tensions.