The recent Hamas hostage parade, showcasing the caskets of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, serves as a grim reminder of the inhumanity that continues to plague our world. The images of these brothers, so cruelly taken, underscore the urgent need to confront the extremists who fuel such cruelty.

Even in the face of such torment, history offers a glimmer of hope in powerful individuals who dedicated their lives to combatting extremism and promoting tolerance.

One such figure is Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States. His actions and wisdom remain relevant to the challenges we face today. I explore his approach to human fraternity and conflict resolution in my new book, Beyond Dialogue – Building Bonds Between Christians and Muslims (Polity Press).

Franklin’s legacy extends far beyond the lightning rod and bifocals, his two most famous inventions. It encompasses a deep and abiding appreciation for the fundamental dignity of all human beings.

His condemnation of the Paxton Boys massacre, a brutal attack by a Scots-Irish group on the Conestoga – a peaceful Native American tribe – provides a powerful example of his stance against extremism and violence. Franklin did not hesitate to condemn the Paxton Boys, labeling them “Christian white savages” for their horrific actions.

In his essay, “A Narrative of the Late Massacres,” Franklin cited examples of mercy and justice from Islamic history, drawing parallels between the actions of the Paxton Boys and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. He also made reference to Saladin, the hospitality of the Dagestani people, and the legacy of La Convivencia in Spain.

Franklin’s devotion to tolerance was not just theoretical. He actively supported various faiths, including contributing financially to the construction of a Jewish synagogue in Philadelphia. He also boldly proposed a secular hall that would be open to preachers of all religious backgrounds, famously declaring that even the mufti of Constantinople would find a pulpit at his service.

In short, Franklin understood the inseparable nature of freedom of speech and religion and how both of these principles are key to a thriving, tolerant society.

Franklin faced the extremism of his time with unwavering conviction. To honor his memory, we should follow his condemnation of extremism and his commitment to tolerance with the same unwavering dedication, or else we risk becoming the very intolerant people we oppose.