Posted on 07/30/2010 8:12:54 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When I first began reading about the controversy surrounding a proposed Mosque being built near Ground Zero in New York City, I was completely mystified: We live in America! In 2010! Are we seriously debating whether a mainstream religion should have the right to build a house of worship?
I was even more bewildered when I read that 52 percent of New Yorkers were opposed to the construction of the Mosque, with 31 percent in favor and 17 percent undecided. Filled with moral outrage, I posted an angry Facebook status with a link to an article about conservative politicians capitalizing on the bigotry.
Almost immediately, though, I began to question my indignation. Having lived in New York for about three months now, I can attest to the fact that it's among the most tolerant places in the world. On any given subway car, you'll find more economic, racial, religious and political diversity than most college campuses. The 8 million people who live in New York 's five boroughs are not generally a bigoted bunch – so why were they showing such contempt for Muslims?
There's no simple answer, of course, and that may not even be a fair question. Some New Yorkers are clearly just motivated by blind prejudice and hatred. Some are worried about zoning laws. And still some have formed their opinions based on centuries-old religious struggles. (The same poll found that 66 percent of Jews in New York opposed the Mosque.)
But all of them – at least those who have lived in New York over the past decade – have one thing in common: they watched as the twin towers fell only miles from their homes.
And so I tread carefully here. As someone who watched 9/11 unfold on CNN, safe in my suburban Massachusetts home, I cannot relate to the people who lost family members, friends and co-workers in those towers, the people whose minds filled with fear for months every time they boarded a bus or entered a crowded office building.
But as a Mormon, I can't accept that religious persecution is justified by an isolated group of people who severely misinterpret their faith. Very little compares in scope to the 9/11 terror attacks, but every religious group contains members who use their beliefs as an excuse to commit atrocities. Should Protestant churches be banned from places where the KKK has committed murder? Should Latter-day Saints be forbidden from building chapels on blocks where crazed fundamentalists have committed child abuse?
Much was made last week of Sarah Palin's Tweet on this subject: "Peace-seeking Muslims, pls understand, Ground Zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts. Pls reject it in interest of healing."
And I can see her critics' points. For one thing, Palin must know by now that whenever she makes a comment (even on a local zoning issue) she further incites the type of inflammatory partisan debate that has gridlocked Congress. For another, it seems unreasonable that she wants "peace-seeking Muslims" to distinguish themselves from terrorists while so many of us seem unwilling to distinguish a Mosque from a terrorist boot camp.
But on at least one count, I think Palin has it right. If anyone is going to decide not to build a Mosque near Ground Zero, it should be Muslims. Again, as a Mormon, I would be infuriated if a government prohibited my church from building a chapel because of a few violent, misguided Latter-day Saints, but if church leaders decided for themselves that it was unnecessary to incite the anger of so many, I would stand behind their judgment.
I understand that New Yorkers have more reasons than most to be anxious, scared or angry. But I also believe that all people should be allowed to worship "how, where, or what they may."
And so, I believe, did the founding fathers.
********
McKay Coppins is a journalism major at BYU. His weekly blog chronicles the Mormon twenty-something experience. McKay's column, "Mormon Twentysomething," appears Fridays on MormonTimes.com.
E-mail: mcoppins@desnews.com
Many people, especially the families of those murdered by Islamic extremists on 9/11, believe that this is an affront to the memories of their loved ones, and a poke in the eye to America, in general. The city can decide whether or not to sell or lease the property, and they should LISTEN to the people of the city, and of the rest of the country, since the people who died on 9/11 were from all over the US, and the world.
The problem here is that the city does not own or manage the property in question. The building in question (and the lot that it sits on) is privately owned.
I wholeheartedly agree that this mosque/"community center" should not be built. I just don't think that the government (Federal, state, or local) has the authority to decide that a particular religion (or, for that matter, a particular political movement) cannot build a building on land that it owns, simply because of the religion/political movement in question (or even because of the name of the building). The mosque is a bad thing, of course. But, I think, allowing the government to hold/wield such a power is a much worse thing.
Anti-Defamation League Comes Out Against Ground Zero Mosque
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2561835/posts?page=1
Why is that not a surprise.
The ADL position is 100% in line with my own - they say that the mosque should not be built there, but also that the Islamic group has the “right” to do so. I agree. I think we ought to pressure the Islamic group not to build there, but I don’t think the government has the authority to stop them from doing so.
Howeve3r it has been proven that mosques in America are training grounds for terrorists and that sedition and terror plots are preached and planned in them...
That is not peaceful religion...
That is against the laws and against the best interests of the sovereign country of America...
You dont think if I had a meeting of a terrorist group in my private house that the local sheriff would not be here asking questions ???
Break straws on camels backs much ???
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Yes, and if this mosque (which, by the way, has been holding services in the current building for several years) were to start planning terrorist attacks, the NYPD/FBI would be there asking questions.
Yes, and if this mosque (which, by the way, has been holding services in the current building for several years) were to start planning terrorist attacks, the NYPD/FBI would be there asking questions.
Are you sure? Given what the last eighteen months have been, I doubt it.
Nope — posts in support of free market capitialism only count as “trolling” when you post them on DU. Go there, and do so.
Noobie
Youre gonna come trolling over here to FRee Republic from whereever and accuse the children of the house of not belonging ???
The sulfur smell gets stronger...
Islam is now defined as “free market capitialism” ???
Since when ???
I smell retread...
Exactly right...there should be a freeze on all mosques in the USA. Until: A) They (the wahabbist's in particular) Stop all terror B) Stop all attempts at Sharia law in the USA C) Stop all honor killings D) Stop all female genital mutilation E) Stop all attempts at the Caliphate.
If they do, then they be able to proceed (but they wont), therefore I would ban Islam in the USA.
I though it was a chick who wrote this. Looks like the LDS just trying to justify building wherever they want too.
‘xactly.
What’s the point of going to a bordello if you have to wear chem gear?
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