To Build a Mosque?

Of course everyone is willing to weigh in on the fact that there may be a mosque built within a couple of blocks of Ground Zero. The back and forth on the issue has caused a lot of back hair to stand up straight on a lot of people.

My initial reaction was much the same as everyone else's - that's awful!

How can they possibly allow a mosque to be built so close to the sacred ground where thousands lost their lives to a cowardly act? The very idea of it was preposterous.

Then I thought about it a bit.

Are the people building the mosque guilty of the terrorist attack?

Would we allow a Christian church to go up next to the Federal Building in Oklahoma?

Of course we would. But Tim McVeigh was a Christian. Wasn't he the responsible one?

I just know that this is going to be one of those political hot button questions that can't be answered. Obama said something about it and he's being crucified. If he would have answered it the other way, he would have also been crucified.

There's just no winning here.

The dumbest thing I heard about it came from the developer who explained that it is 'nowhere near Ground Zero' because it is 2 city blocks away and city blocks in NY are big.

It's less than 600' away. That's closer than nowhere near.

Still, the people of this country will never forget the events of 9/11 nor should they. Perhaps all of the problems are born of intolerance and a lack of information and communication. Maybe the people who will visit the mosque are fine upstanding citizens who hurt over the events of 9/11 as much as the rest of us do.

I don't know.

I do know that it's a topic that I wouldn't debate with anyone for any amount of money.

Because either way I'd be wrong.

Comments

Kits Corner said…
I agree its a political hot button, however I think the issue that some are having besides the obvious; is the fact that an alternate location was offered and was refused.
So the Muslim group that wants to build it is refusing to accept an alternate site. That in itself speaks volumes to everyone. Not to mention the fact they want to open it on the anniversary of the date the Muslim's took the towers down. That is another slap in the face to everyone not just the NYC people. That is just down right cruel, while the city mourns the loss of their family and friends the Muslims are going to be celebrating, seriously!
If they go through with this I can guarantee the building will be constantly vandalized along with the people going in and out of it. This will do nothing but add to the hatred of the Muslim people.
Cliff Fazzolari said…
You know, Sheila, I agree. Its in horrible taste to be sure and to hear that Iran is possibly funding it...makes you really wonder what the price of freedom is in a situation like this...I'd have to say it is disturbing and agree that the community center will probably not unite the community near the sacred ground. Only thing that bothers me is governing out a freedom when it doesnt jive with our own idea.

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

My Buddy, Dave

Mom & Ollie