Ground Zero's Peaceful Mosque Ignites Politics' Holy War
Religious Liberty Versus Individual Rights on Public Debate
The strongest political heavy-hitter for the Mosque's near Ground Zero location is local, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. According to the NY Post, Bloomberg said of Mosque opponents, "A handful of people ought to be ashamed of themselves." With all due respect to Mayor Bloomberg, 9/11 families for Safe and Strong America oppose the mosque and they have nothing to be ashamed of. In addition, according to a recent Siena Research Poll, 6 in 10 New Yorkers oppose the Mosque's near Ground Zero location, as well. That's almost 5 million people. Mayor Bloomberg must have a much bigger hand than the rest of us.
Several notable figures have joined politics' holy war against the peaceful Mosque's near Ground Zero location including New York State Governor David Paterson, Former Alaska State Governor Sarah Palin, Nevada Senator Harry Reid, and Former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich. Please note that these people are not against the Mosque, just its location. According to the NY Post, Governor Paterson offered state land as an alternative site for the mosque. Both Mayor Bloomberg and the Mosque's builders rejected his idea, reports WNYC news.
The heaviest-hitter to weigh-in, albeit lightly, on politics' holy war over the Mosque is President Barack Obama. According to CNN, at first, he made comments that "sounded like" he supported the Mosque's location. Shortly after, he altered his comments.
Clearly, such political heavy-hitters would not engage in a holy war merely over a building. That would be absurd. We have Islamic mosques, Christian churches, and Jewish synagogues all over New York City and America. The real public debate is over religious liberty versus individual freedom. A peaceful mosque at the controversially volatile near Ground Zero location boils down to a simple "what's right is right" issue. However, what is right is not always so simple to ascertain.
There is a difference between what is "legally" right and what is morally or appropriately right.
Legally, Muslims have a right to build a mosque near Ground Zero. According to the U.S. Constitution, everyone in the United States has a right to religious liberty. Legally, this is right.
However, our Declaration of Independence lists life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as the unalienable rights of man. The 9/11 families and 60% of New Yorkers who oppose the mosque's Ground Zero location are entitled to their rights. They have voiced their unhappiness with the near Ground Zero location of this mosque. Religious liberty is not the only liberty afforded to Americans. Legally, and appropriately, this is right.
Let us never forget that nearly 3,000 people were murdered in America on 9/11 by an act of Holy War. According to the 9/11 Commission Report, "More than 2,600 people died at the World Trade Center; 125 died at the Pentagon; 256 died on the four planes. The death toll surpassed that at Pearl Harbor in December 1941." It is unfortunate that we need a political war to derive at what is appropriately right when there are so many other locations in New York City for a mosque to be built.
Sources:
Bill Sanderson, "Mayor to mosque foes: Shut up Already!", NY Post
Tim Sumner, Scared Ground Honor Ride: Aug 19-22; Ground Zero rally: 8:30 am Aug 22, 9/11 Families for Safe and Strong America
Sienna Research Poll, Immigration0710 Crosstabs, Sienna Research Institute
Brendan Scott, Gov offers land for mosque if it moves, NY Post
WNYC Newsroom, "Bloomberg Dismisses Gov. Paterson's Mosque Proposal," WNYC News
Hamid Dabashi, "Obama courageous, then craven on mosque", CNN
National Commission on Terrorists Attacks Upon the United States, "The 9/11 Commission Report, Washington Post
Published by Renee Morway
From the skyscrapers of NYC, I face strength. From the people of NYC, I gain understanding. And from the heart of NYC, I feel inspiration. So, I tend to write about the city quite a bit. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentJust like your comment on the last article. I will correct you, Again. It's not a Youth Center -- It's a MOSQUE.. Do your research before commenting. Not sure what news you are getting from Sweden but ITS wrong.. Oh and please please please stay in Sweden and don't ever return. The USA does not need people like you here..
Again - it isn't even a mosque, it is a youth center - but even if it was a mosque, I would support it because unlike so many of you people who still live in the USA, I really am for freedom.
The Right wing has no religion or ethicks or morals. The only prayer is to the almighty dollar. No thought is given to what religion was involved in the Oaklahoma bombings because McVay was a christian.
hey its so sad of whtas going to happen to U.S.A and the other so called european countries the demon of islam gonna swallow the western culture history the western values by putting all the bullshit such as islam is peace. why the leaders of U.S.A and other western leaders cant sense this danger? will the saudi arabia ever let christians to build church in the heart of jeddah, will iran ever let christians to practise religion in that country these crimes caused them to kill behead and torture thousands of christians in many years. but the western leaders were fooled by them to spread their sick law of islam which allows all sort of hatre torture on christians women etc. its a shame to see this islamisation of western countries!