A proposed mosque, two blocks from where the World Trade Center twin-towers stood, have unleashed emotions, which the New York Times described as, "vitriolic commentary, pitting Muslims against Christians, Tea Partiers against staunch liberals, and Sept. 11 families against one another."
"We feel that it is a cemetery and sacred ground and the dead should be honored," said Pamela Geller, a conservative blogger. "To build a 13-story mega mosque on the cemetery, on the site of the largest attack in American history, I think, is incredibly insensitive."
On the other side, some Muslim community leaders say the mosque could provide an opportunity for improving interfaith relations. "We're saying Muslims have a legitimate role to play in the social fabric of this country," said Ibrahim Ramey, the director of the Human and Civil Rights Division of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation.
My question to you: Do you support or oppose a mosque near Ground Zero?
I support their rights as American's to practice their religion and beliefs and to build their house of worship on private property. Yet I think it shows a lack of sensitivity and compassion for the families of those lost on 9/11 to have chosen this location. Support their rights? Absolutely. Think that their decision to choose to build a mosque in such a controversial location is a a good one? No.
You must agree that almost nowhere else in the world would this debate be able to take the shape that it has other than in America, and that is something all of us should be proud of.
I disagree with the statement that the location choice shows "a lack of sensitivity". The mission of the community center is to promote education and dialogue about Islamic and western relations (please see the community center's website itself: http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/frequently-asked-questions). My concern with "sensitivity" as an argument is that it suggests that Muslims and terrorists are one in the same because otherwise there is nothing to be "sensitive" about. For example, if the terrorists happened to have been extremist Christians surely it would not be demanded that Trinity Church be relocated "out of respect" for the victims. It would be well understood that Christians are not terrorists and the proximity of churches in the area is irrelevant (thus no "sensitivity" on the topic). So as educated adults we know that peaceful Muslims have nothing to do with the religious beliefs of extremist Muslim terrorists yet ask them to relocate because of "sensitivity"? You might as well just call them terrorists or any other hateful name. If "sensitivity" is the argument of choice then consider it on the other end and how it must feel receive opposition to your community building because 9 years ago people who have nothing to do with you or your religious beliefs tarnished the name of your religion and now you are being considered one of them. To suggest that establishing a peaceful community center 2 blocks from Ground Zero is "insensitive" is actually quite insensitive itself, no?
Me saying that it shows a lack of sensitivity, and you making the leap that by saying this I, or anyone else who feels this way is equating all Muslims to terrorists is ridiculous. By definition: (sensitivities) a person's feelings which might be easily offended or hurt (like those families who lost loved ones on 9/11 from attackers doing so in the name if Islam). Coupled with the fact that there has been an on-going debate for the last 9 years around what to do with the site itself that has set off a range of emotions (especially among the families of those lost). And now that they have finally come to some reasonable decision on how to treat the space the debate and attention have shifted away from the memorial and onto this political hot button. You can not tell me that those involved in making the decision to build this mosque in this location were not even the slightest bit conscious of the emotional reaction that doing so would elicit. This by definition shows a lack of sensitivity. Certainly being Muslim does not make you a terrorist— that assumption is absurd, but being mindful of the emotional reaction you may create through your actions is however showing sensitivity, and this did not appear to happen. Moreover, it has created a completely divisive political debate that has fueled a rallying point for the extreme right that prays on the ignorance (lack of understand of Islam) and fear of many across this country. It turns a complex debate around religion, civil rights, prejudice and foreign policy into a Rush Limbaugh style sound bite.
Really for the people building the cultural center I think it came down to cheap real estate. That building had been empty for five years and by NYC standards was really really cheap. Also it is supposed to be a place for outreach to people of other faiths and the community as a whole. What better place for that the Manhattan? I don't think this would have been an issue if the Glenn Beck's and Sarah Palin's of the world didn't get their ignorant followers worked up over it.
Is it disrespectful to those of Islamic faith who worked in the WTC/Pentagon etc and were innocent victims of the attacks on sept 11th 2001? Or is this loud bigoted angry voice not more disrespectful?
Maybe out of respect for those of Jewish and Islamic faiths the Christian church of St Paul on Broadway (closer to the site of Ground Zero than any Mosque or Synagogue) should be moved to another site in the city?
Is it disrespectful to try and promote understanding between faiths?
Do people here not realise that Allah, God and Yahweh are one and the same Divine Being and that as religious people Christians, Jews and Muslims all pray to the same Deity? That all 3 religions are connected.
Once again the facts are continually being skewed. This isn't a Mosque, it is a YMCA but the 'C' is being replaced by an 'I'.
Religion it seems will continue to spread hatred, fear and suspicion. There are some comments here (but more so from Palin and Co) that aren't too far from the type of sentiments that led to the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland in 1939/40. Bill Hicks pointed out the ridiculousness of religion when he highlighted his encounter with some right wing Christians; "Hey Buddy we're Christians and we don't like the way you talked about Jesus!" Bill- "Well if you're Christians, then i guess you'll just have to forgive me"
Permalink Reply by Red on August 31, 2010 at 10:37pm
>>Is it disrespectful to try and promote understanding between faiths?
Do people here not realise that Allah, God and Yahweh are one and the same Divine Being and that as religious people Christians, Jews and Muslims all pray to the same Deity? That all 3 religions are connected.
No its not disrespectful to try to promote understanding of faiths.Nor is it wrong to have doubts or distrust that promotion of faith is really what this is about. I feel it's wrong to tell someone how they should think or feel, just because one doesn't like their opinion.
I have to take a little umbrage at the "one deity for all" though because that's another area we can get into trouble over.We don't all pray to the same god. I don't know that Allah,Yahweh and God are one and the same but I do know that every individual has their own idea of god or lack of one. Which, off topic a bit,.is one reason why this country should never be run on faith.
The One Deity thing comes from the fact that both Christianity and Islam are derived from Judaism. Christianity obviously comes via the new testament, while Islam is derived from the story of Abraham in the Old testament. All 3 religions pray to the one God but in different ways. So the only real difference when you look at it is how people choose to pray to that God.
Perhaps on a personal level we don't all pray to the one God, due to peoples differing interpretations, but that can apply within each faith as much as it would be an interfaith issue. But essentially when you look at it all from a purely scriptural and historical point of view, it is inescapable that all 3 religions speak of/to the same God.
Perhaps if people took the time to realise this they wouldn't have as big an issue with people fearing each others beliefs and practices.
Support it? No. But they HAVE the right to do it wherever they can afford th' co$t. I DO "support" th' Constitution that gave them said right. I really have a hard time w/those who're so set against it that they'll get out in public and show off their bigotry and intolerance.
RI
Sadly Kevin its an attitude that's all too prevalent these days and not just in the USA. Its the close minded attitude of individuals on both sides that cause the acts of aggression in the first place. That and the use of religion as a means to a political end. Religion and politics, just like sport and politics should never mix. (i'm not really sure where i stand on the mixing of religion and sport, i'd need to look into it!!)
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