While the so-called “9/11 mosque”, which is actually instead an Islamic community center, has merits on both sides of the conversation regarding its existence, the conversation should not even be occurring, let alone at the level or with the furor that it currently holds. The simple answer to the situation is Freedom of Religion, via the Constitution’s 1st Amendment, and that should be enough to silence any of the ludicrous commentary.
Except it apparently isn’t.
There are two core problems that are either confusing or enlarging the issue: a Republican interest in psychotic, election-cycle pandering, and fundamental misrepresentation. It would be slightly more understandable for people to be upset if a traditional-style mosque were opening at the very foot of the fallen towers, but the basic fact is that it’s a community center, no different than a Y with a different religious bent, that’s going inside of a former warehouse. There will be no spires, no minarets, no calls to prayer – none of the traditional items associated with Islamic properties. More importantly, however, is that it is not as close to the World Trade Center as is being portrayed: a few blocks, yes, but bringing such an institution to an area of strip clubs, sex toy shops, and other not-so-Christian-values enterprises is not quite the outrageous event that is being put forth.
The overwhelming problem, however, is one of Constitutionality. As a nation, the United States promotes religious freedom, and has since its founding – why should that be subject to geographical location, local proximity, or specific religions? A small group of fundamentalist individuals with extreme views of their religion has caused great trauma and havoc, but they do not represent their religion, as has been proclaimed so often since the events of September 11th, 2001 by Muslims worldwide. True that there are those who believe their religion justifies such acts of terror and aggression, but this mindset of justified abhorrent behavior is not limited to Islam – are all Christians held accountable for the slaughtering seen during the Crusades? Are all Germans held responsible, presently, for the actions of a dictator half a century ago?
Islam is merely an extension of Christianity, and yet it’s demonized as some sort of inhuman belief system, especially by those of fervent Christian belief – there is deep irony in the persecution of Islams at the hand of Christians in the United States, because some of the very reasons for the founding of the United States having ties to religious freedom. The 1st Amendment delivers freedom of religion to all religions and all individuals within the United States, not just selectively chosen groups of people or religious sects, and believing otherwise belies an arrogance and ignorance that is simply unacceptable.
The fact that this is even an issue points to the motives of those arguing against the building of the community center: elections. Republicans are currently in the process of pandering to their extreme base, made even more extreme by the laughable Tea Party, which involves, essentially, the subjugation of any and all cultures and people that aren’t white – Arizona’s racist attempt at immigration law, a scramble to modify or repeal the 14th Amendment, the Manhattan Islamic center, and various other behaviors of the last year have proven this quite staunchly. After the elections in November, Republicans will have no interest in touching the 14th Amendment, walking all over the 1st Amendment, or participating in any other actions that will essentially frame their party as one of an anti-Constitution, anti-minority, pro-white ideology – at least until the next election cycle. This coming from the party that believes, wrongly and without evidence, that President Obama is “walking all over” the Constitution, even while they attempt to do so.
Build the Islamic community center in Manhattan – there’s no reason not to, unless those reasons include racism, religious discrimination, or political pandering.
From Kyle Brady…
Kyle can be found on his blog, via email, or on Twitter.
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My favorite is when they cry why dont they build a church in Saudi Arabia then… So are we lowering ourselves to their level now? Please you redneck hillbillies. Get a grip.
Kyle,
You do have some valid points, but I wonder about a few of the things you’ve said. True this is an Islamic center, but unlike a “YMCA” it will contain a mosque. Do spires and minarets make a mosque, or is it the worship of Allah? Constitutionally this group has the right to practice their religion pretty much anywhere and anyway they so choose, but just because you have the right to do something doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right thing to do. Let’s suppose for a minute that I were planning onbuilding a Christian center and church in a predominantly muslim area with the dual intention of supporting my faith and strengthening inter-faith bonds (as is the stated intent of the facility in question). If the community where I intended to build this structure asked me to relocate further away from a place of significance to them, then I would not hesitate to do so. If my intent is truly what I stated it to be why would I try to force the issue. I would instead ask “Where in your community would you prefer that I build it?” You stated that Islam is an extension of Christianity.This is false. Islam is based on the teachings of Judaism and Christianity, but would be more accurately called an extension of Judaism. Although Islam recognizes Jesus as a very important prophet they do not view him as the Son of God. I feel that this most definitely places them in the “separate from Christianity” group as opposed to the “extension of Christianity” group. Please forgive me if you feel I am splitting hairs. You state that Islam is demonized by those of fervent Christian belief, I disagree with this characterization. Christianity teaches us to show love and understanding to all, even those who disagree with us. I consider myself to be a fervent Christian and while I may demonize those who commit terrorist acts I do not blame Islam for those acts. You state repeatedly in your article that Republicans are the villains and are using this issue to further this agenda for their own reasons. There is probably some truth in that as politics is an ugly business, but listen to yourself in the way you speak in this article. Your views on those whose politics you disagree with are nearly as venomous as those you are decrying. I believe you are demonizing one political party when both parties use every issue and every opportunity to try to gain support for their own agendas. I see very plainly in your article the kind of divisiveness that is tearing our nation apart. If you disagree with someone then debate the issue and attempt to persuade them to your views, by attacking someone you only make them raise their defenses and most likely give up any hope of ever winning them over. Perhaps if we respect each others opinions, admitting that they have some merit or legitimacy in the context of the others experiences in the world, then maybe we can work together to solve the real issues we are all facing. May God bless you and keep you safe.
I believe Kyle is right on the aspect that the debate should not even be happening. They should be allowed to build it, it’s that simple. Bryan i understand your point that if they were holding idealistically true to their mission statement then they would respect others wishes. But we both know that if we continually try to make everyone happy then nothing would ever get accomplished. The simple fact is that by the code of the law they have every right to build it.
However i disagree on the point that Islam is an extension of Christianity. They are all their own religions, and thereby are all separate. To say Islam is an extension of Christianity would be like saying that all Christians are Jews because we have the Old Testament in our Bible. But yet we do not call God Yahweh, or Elohim; we do not adhere to the 620 Judaic Laws; we are not decedents of Abraham but rather we believe that trinity is and always will be present.
Bryan is right on the aspect of similarities between Judaism and Islam. Most of their words are difference in pronunciation of vowels and constants. Yahweh and Allah, Issac and Isaiah and who they believe to be decedents from. Majority of their laws overlap.