A Religious Shrine at Ground Zero? (Why not a mosque, a church and a synagogue?)

The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership ^ | unknown | Daniel S. Brenner

[LarryLied]

A serious and inclusive discussion of the future of the Ground Zero site is now underway. The Civic Alliance to Rebuild Downtown New York is in the midst of conducting an important series of open public meetings on various aspects of the planning process. From the sidelines I’ve been following this conversation and have been keeping a close eye on the growing list of proposals by architects, urban planners, and others offering up cultural centers, art spaces, memorial parks and business complexes.

What is conspicuously absent from these proposals is any attention to religious needs that might be associated with the site. Even the discussion of the victims’ memorial that is to be erected as part of any rebuilding plan for the site, has been framed in essentially secular terms. No proposals even for the quiet, understated ecumenical chapels one finds in hospitals. As one of the many chaplains who witnessed the events of the 11th, and volunteered with many other clergy to help deal with some of the spiritual and emotional crises that followed, I’m wondering -- Why has religion suddenly been thrust to the sidelines?

Religious groups and organizations were among the first to respond to the attack. Moreover, in the days following the attack, Americans flocked to their synagogues, churches and mosques in record numbers. I will never forget watching the televised services held at the National Cathedral and Riverside Church, both powerful expressions of our collective sense of grief and hope.

But while those services were articulations of America’s common spirit, they also spoke to our religious particularities. As an American I listened intently to all the clergy who spoke, but as a Jew, I cared most about what the rabbis had to say. I imagine that this was the case for Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, and Buddhists, all who were represented in those services. America is great because we not only allow for the freedom of religion, but we have a public square that can encourage our religious diversity at the right moments.

For this reason, I would ask, why not build a mosque at ground zero? And a church, and a synagogue as well? Why not erect a vast inter-religious center on the premises as a supplement to the secular, cultural, and artistic elements that will figure in the blueprint for the site’s reconstruction? An inter-religious center could serve for educational purposes, and the religiously specific chapels could be used for baptisms, confirmation ceremonies, bar and bat mitzvahs, and even weddings of those whose parents or loved ones have perished in the attacks. It would be a site of healing for many. And just imagine what it would be like for American Muslims, and Muslim visitors from abroad to visit such a shrine.

Building a mosque on the site would also send a message to the Islamic world about America, and our commitment to the freedom of religion. At a time when many Muslims are being fed endless distortions about America and what we value, it will take more than a publicity mission by Muhammad Ali to change America’s image.

What traditional religious adherents in the Islamic world, and elsewhere fail to comprehend is the great irony of American church-state separation: The more secular the state, the more religious the nation. In America, religious faith is freely chosen and religious communities are strong. In an increasingly diverse world, America may hold the model that the world needs.

But would building an inter-religious center at Ground Zero help?

Maybe a few misguided Muslims would go there to praise Allah for his great victory in destroying the towers - but I imagine the vast majority of American Muslims would go to simply offer prayers of gratitude that Allah, in his mercy, has created a place called America, where both freedom and faith can flourish.

The perception of America’s role in the world is being redefined. In addition to being regarded as an economic and military power, we are now seen as a global police force attempting to root out terror. But America is a spiritual power as well and it is important that we do what we can to get this message out. Building an inter-religious center on the site of the World Trade Center could be an important step in this direction. It would be a living testimony to the American conviction that secularity and diversity are not the enemies of faith, but are rather the very basis of spiritual strength and religious renewal.

To read additional articles by Daniel Brenner, click here

[Thorondir]

Amen to that, my friend. And how about a statue of Mohammed, the Prophet of Satan, with an outhuse directly above it?

[Thorondir]

Blast! outhuse=outhouse.

[watchin]

It's the thought that counts, my friend, the thought.

[Windsong]

"Baphomet"

Good gawd...that sounds suspiciously like the Final Boss in Mortal Kombat III...

[Willie Green]

The best way to commemorate the WTC and the massacre's victims and heroes is to raise another temple to New York's real religion: Commerce and trade.
A soaring cathedral to capitalism -- that's what we need.

A government subsidized shrine of capitalism would be the epitome of ironic hypocrisy.

Let the private sector build whatever they want without sucking the lifeblood out of taxpayers.

Alternatively, if a memorial is to be built using taxpayers funding, keep the money-changers away at a respectable distance.

[Caipirabob]

I have an idea: Let the owners of the property decide what they want to do with it!

[neutrino]

(Why not a mosque, a church and a synagogue?)

While we're at it, I believe we need a souvenier shop as well. We could sell pork BBQ sandwiches, BLT's, Ham sandwiches...and little plastic images of ol 'Hammed mounting his mare. Perhaps we could even provide a few items with inspirational sayings on them. One of my favorites is "There is no hog but allah, and mohammed is her pimp."

[clintonh8r]

Put the mosque in the sewer, where it will be more accessible to its constituents.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Why not just huge pit of hungry hogs to devour any terrorist we throw in?

[Thorondir]

LOL and loving it! Great post!

Human civilization had better wake up soon and get as serious about its survival as the seventh-century savages are about our annihilation!

[max_rpf]

1. Build a mosque
2. Blow it up (or invite the IDF to bulldoze it down...)
3. Build a church AND a synagogue on top of the site.

[watchin]

1. Build a mosque
2. Blow it up (or invite the IDF to bulldoze it down...)
3. Build a church AND a synagogue on top of the site.

 

Just think of the message that would send to the Islamic world about America. It's enough to bring a tear to your eye.

[Windsong]

I seem to recall him saying:

"By their fruits, ye shall know them"

"They will think they do God service by killing you"

"Not everyone who cries Lord, Lord will be saved (i.e. Allah)"

This isn't a war against Terrorists. Its a war against ISLAM. The sooner we learn that, the better.

[A.J.Armitage]

Building a mosque on the site would also send a message to the Islamic world about America

But it's exactly the wrong message. Mosques have always been used as a sign of dominance over non-Muslims. What they did to the Hagia Sophia, for example.

[Harrison Bergeron]

Recently, the History Channel ran a mini-series on the impact of ancient Egyptian religion on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was noted that - in the M.E. - mosques are typically located directly on top of looted and destroyed temples and churches. In rare instances, the church (never a temple) still operates. The narrator glossed over the phenomenon as if this were a quaint custom, rather than sacriligious nose thumbing. The documentary never broached the subject of dhimmitude, the oppressive strongarming of Jews and Christians, or "people of the book" as moslems call us.

A mosque on the WTC site - situated neatly between a church and a synagog would become a tribute beyond the wildest dreams of the murdering jihadic terrorists who burned there along with thei victims. I could well imagine such a mosque becoming the new Mecca, right here on American soil. They may as well send up a white flag and build a mosque at the Pentagon.

[Windsong]

FYI, this is going to happen MUCH sooner than you think (or wish). FYEO.

[A.J.Armitage]

Well, your sinister "religionists" (as in, the mostly Irish Catholic firefighters) were running in to save people while everyone else was running out.

[thegreatbeast]

I know I was brought to my knees by the events of Septemebr 11th. Am I alone here? A place of prayer and contemplation is needed at that location because it is now in the annals of American history with the Alamo, the Old North Church, Arlington Commons, Arlington National Cemetary and Gettysburg. The Port Authority of New York somehow (WHY?) controls the development of the WTC site. Worshippers of Mammon (SP?) will win the day but a quiet corner to reflect won't be missed in the 12m sq.ft. that used to constitute the old WTC, will it? Would you begrudge us that?

[Thorondir]

The seventh-century savages who seek to crush all of human civilization under their infidel-slaughtering, woman-fearing/hating heels just might not take that fluffy liberal message of yours the way you would. But, then, perhaps they don't smoke substances that make people write sentences like this: what are smoking ?

BTW: All your bases are belong to us.