Posted on 06/01/2002 10:25:49 AM PDT by 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
I have to agree with you. As someone increasingly leaning towards Druidism......I would have to request a complete replica of Stonehenge.
Having said that I have to go on record at this time, to demand reparations for the original on the Salisbury Plain! I mean...look at it....
....it's all broke up.........or sumpin'
Truly sick!
I believe he quoted the article:
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
And then responded, albeit too hastily, to the quote:
- no offense, [but] what are [you] smoking ?Am I reading you right, kcrack?
On a long wooden bench along the wall sat priests, ministers, and an Imam. I squeezed in next to a Catholic priest and a young Episcopalian minister with a “Hello, my name is Christopher” name tag, feeling like we had just been drafted for a dreadful and hopeless task.Then the Red Cross Spiritual Care Coordinator spoke. “OK, guys, listen up!” She was an amazingly energetic minister from California who conveyed a mix of pep and compassion: “I’m gonna make this brief because we don’t have much time before those families come in here and I’m assuming you all know what to do. I’ve seen this before. This is like what I saw in Oklahoma City—we need to be there and show God’s love—but I want to remind you that this is not a time to proselytize. This is ecumenical. No praying in the name of Jesus. Just be a spiritual presence. Show God’s love for them. Do what you do best. Remember, no praying in the name of Jesus!”
I raised my hand and she nodded at me. “Yes, Rabbi, what is it?”
“Is it all right if I pray in the name of Jesus?” 1
I think I'm going to barf.
And do they really think a mosque is appropriate? I'm not sure the victims of the Spanish Inquisition would like to include a Catholic or even Christian symbol in anything they do remembering their dead.
That message is already out there. Do they really think that because we build another mosque that message will get and sink in to the kind of people who did/do/want to do stuff like happened on 9-11?
That's a few too many. The islamic world would ring with cries of joy and inshallah as a mosques rose on the site of the Great Blow aagainst the Big Shaitan.
I'm sick of these misguided two-legged missiles.
I'd kick in a few bucks for that....and I'm considered a failed Catholic.
So how to ensure we don't lose the towers or our focus on terrorism?
On the penthouse level of the stunning new Twin Towers shall reside:
Building a Church on the site would send a message to the Christian world about Saudi Arabia, and their commitment to the freedom of religion
Don't think they'd go for it, huh?
Okay, then how about a Cemetery?
Sewage plant?
Toxic waste dump?
Hog farm?
Women's college?
Brewery?
How about a huge gold dome, with an inscription that reads, "Allah not only doesn't beget, he doesn't even exist!!! Bwahahahaha!!" ??
OK, I'll bite. When the firefighters were running up the stairs against the flow of people running down the stairs, is it possible that they slowed the exodus thereby causing more of the occupants not to escape in time? I believe it is possible that the firefighters not only lost their lives but may have contributed to more. Nobody dares ask this question, for fear of a vicious backlash. It reminds me on a massive scale of the recent deaths of six firefighters in Worchester, MA who ran into an abandoned burning building on the rumor that a homeless couple were inside. They should have stayed outside and busied themselves containing the blaze, not risking their lives needlessly. It's sad that these firefighters died; however, the commanders should rethink their decision guidelines of when or when not to go into a burning building.
The message would be:
"We surrender!! See! we even build a mosque to commemorate for all time our humiliation and defeat at the hands of the holy warriors of Allah!"
Sheesh--liberals really are stupid~~even liberal rabbi's, apparently.
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