I am astonished and dismayed. That the majority of Americans apparently wish to deny Muslim AMERICANS the right to build a community center on their own property two blocks from the site where radical Muslims brought down the World Trade Center buildings, is a dark testament to the lack of civics education in the United States. It is also a dark testament to the effectiveness of right-wing hate-propaganda. Even C-Span is calling it the "Ground Zero Mosque." It is neither at "ground zero" nor is it a mosque. It is a
community center open to everyone, and it includes a prayer center.
The very first lesson in civics should be an education in the Bill of Rights, beginning with the First Amendment, and providing a definition of what constitutes a "Right." When the Establishment Clause is addressed, students should be assigned the reading of the
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. It also should be noted that this Statute is the document from which the First Amendment's Establishment Clause was crafted. From this assignment, the student should develop a basic understanding of the need for a "
Wall of Separation" between Church and State.
Rights are not something that can be up for vote. We cannot vote slavery back into existence any more than we can vote to deny a religion the right to build a center of worship on their own property, or anywhere a Christian church would be allowed.
For those who would deny the mosque to be built, ask yourself if you would allow a Christian church to be built withing two blocks of the bombed Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
I strongly favor the building of the community center on site within two blocks of "ground zero," This building will be a monument to the American value of Religious Freedom, and shine as an example of American values the world over.
Of course, I have little doubt that once it is built, some good right-wing Christian will attempt to destroy it, along with many innocent Muslim AMERICANS who had the misfortune to occupy the building at the time. After all, isn't that what Jesus would do, answer hate with hate, killing with killing?
Deuteronomy 21:18-23 states that anyone who has a stubborn and rebellious son should have the village stone him to death. Shall we abide by that law? I once wrote a letter to the editor of the Richmond Times Dispatch asking that same question. The day of its publication, I received a phone call from a reader who thought
stoning stubborn children was the right thing to do.
Of course, I often hear the argument that Christians "have a new
covenant" such that we don't have to go by the "Old Testament" laws. But, this is the very definition of
situation ethics. If Christians were to abide by "Old Testament" laws, they would be exactly like radical Islam.
Moderate, educated Muslims have put away their hatred and disavowed draconian religious laws. American Christians should show the world that we have put away ours as well. Let the community center/mosque be a symbol of our benevolence. Let us lead by example. Let us act from intelligence and understanding, not the emotions of hatred and vengeance.