On the Ground Zero Mosque
I’ve been thinking of writing something about this for some time. The problem is that I think it’s fairly clear. First, there’s no legitimate legal reason to prevent the building of this mosque. Second, I don’t think it is appropriate, nor does it send a good message, for Christians to oppose those of another faith having their place of worship where they would like, provided they fulfill other requirements of the law, such as property ownership and zoning requirements.
But today Dave Black went a step further, and I think he has a good point about how Christians should behave in such situations. We should always bear in mind that our kingdom is not here, and that our primary call is to be witnesses of our true kingdom.
…What is a kingdom mindset? It’s an attitude of gentleness that affirms the values and dignity of others, even those who are different from us. It’s an attitude of humility that considers others as better than one’s self. …
Read the rest at The Jesus Paradigm.
I disagree with Mr. Black’s position. I think he clearly articulates a Christian view of how we are to treat our enemies, but in this case, I feel like this is an issue that impacts a secular society, not a Christian society. If secular society feels wronged by an enemy and considers it poor judgment to build a mosque in that particular location, I don’t see how any moral imperative within Christianity ought to be imposed on that judgment. I may have misunderstood Paul’s teaching to the church, but I understood that our judgements of others are to be charitable judgements. Love always looks for reasonable ways to trust others, to hope that they are doing what is right, and to interpret their words and actions in a way that protects their reputation and credibility. In this case we have two opposing sides (the builders of the mosque and those who oppose it) with whom we should assume both intend good. I don’t see how we could fall on either side of this issue, nor do I see it even necessary to make judgements about one’s christian faith in regards to how they might decide on this issue.
Then again I could be all wet on this.
I’m afraid I don’t see the two sides of this issue as equivalent in the way you’re expressing it. I treasure American religious freedom as one of the highest values. “Islam” didn’t destroy the towers; certain men did that. Were our situations reversed, I would not want to be blamed because other Christians did something evil, even if they justified it by religion.
At this point in history, much of the threat to our American way of life comes from people who are Muslim, but this is a moment in history. The situation could be reversed, and in other countries it is reversed.
I don’t even see supporting the building of this particular mosque as something particularly special. It should be a standard expression of our values as Americans. So in both the secular and the spiritual spheres I see this in very similar ways.
In other words, Americans citizens who are Muslim are not “first class” citizens, only “second class” Where have we heard this before in our history about efforts to make some citizens “second class,” not because of whom they worshiped, but based on the color of the skin or their national origin ?
I hope you understand that I fully support the building of this mosque. If Muslims buy property in my town, next door to me, I’ll support their right to build a mosque there as well.
I live and work in NYC. For me, and many of us, the issue is not Islam or Christianity. It is insensitivity to the people who lost a dear friend, family member, or colleague. Especially since the Imam involved has suggested that America was at least partially to blame for the attack on 9/11. We have over 100 mosques in our city; they are welcome to build one on my block if they want. I love living in an area that is diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status and religion. But the builders are not even willing to meet to consider another site. Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Church that was destroyed when one of the towers was built has not been able to get permits to rebuild. Why is that?
I do not know the story of the Greek Orthodox church, but that is not the argument that is being made across the country. The argument is that somehow simply by having a community center and place of worship near ground zero, Muslims are doing something so offensive it should not be permitted.
I think we should not equate Muslims and terrorists. But more importantly, I think we should support the right of people of any faith, operating within local laws (zoning and so forth) to have a place of worship. I think that by responding to this angrily as many of us have, we become less that we were and should be, and that’s a victory for terrorists.
I do not equate Muslims with terrorists. Neither do many of the people I know of who feel that the building project is inappropriate. And this is not an issue of denying anyone the right to practice their religion. There are many mosques (at least 100) in the city, and I have no objection to more being built, just not on this site. Our govenor offered to meet with the builders to find an alternate spot very near to where they want to build, he apparently had some city owned property in mind, but they declined to come to the meeting.
Additionally, the building in question is not “near ground zero” as you state. It is “at ground zero.” The fact is the building was damaged when the landing gear of one of the planes hit it, and then it was further damaged by falling pieces of the plane.
And I am not angry at anything other than people trying to make sweeping comments about how all people opposed to the building project are “angry” or “radical” etc. I feel that sensitivity and cordiality is needed on both sides of the issue.
Thanks.
Then help me to understand how it is that something done by Muslims at or near Ground Zero is inappropriate, unless they are somehow being seen as responsible for the attack.
Henry wrote
No, in fact the greatest threat to “our American way of life” right now is the rabid reaction of Christians and others to the perceived threat of Islam. That reaction mainly takes the form of circumscribing our individual liberties, abrogating the Constitution in the name of ‘national security,’ and abandoning the core Enlightenment values that underpinned and informed the founding of the country and the writing of the Constitution.
We are becoming less and less “American” with every passing day due to that reaction.
Though I was referring specifically to the source violent attacks on the U. S., I take your point. I think the damage you refer to is going to be both worse and longer lasting.