New York, NY, February 23, 2011 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today criticized remarks made by Glenn Beck on his radio program, in which he compared Reform Judaism to radicalized Islam, as "highly offensive and outrageous."
During his February 22 radio show, Beck described Reform rabbis as "generally political in nature. It's almost like Islam, radicalized Islam in a way … radicalized Islam is less about religion than it is about politics … When you look at the Reform Judaism, it is more about politics."
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:
Glenn Beck's comparison of Reform Judaism to radical Islam demonstrates his bigoted ignorance. Despite his feeble attempt to suggest that he was not equating Reform Judaism with Islamic extremist terrorism, the simple fact that he would mention them in the same breath is highly offensive and outrageous.
The truth is that every religious body has political points of view, whether one agrees with them or not. To compare Reform Judaism, which supports democratic institutions, to Islamic extremism, which supports anti-democratic movements and the repression of basic rights – including, for example, the denial of women's rights – is beyond the pale.
Glenn Beck has no business discounting the faith of any people, and he should think twice before commenting on something he doesn't know much about. He owes the Reform movement an apology.