Ground Zero Mosque

Here we go again, today's topic is one of extreme sensitivity due to the nature of what is being discussed. There are those on the christian right and other like minded Americans who are upset because they are opposed to some Muslim Americans building a mosque on or close to ground zero in new york city. They are supposedly angry about the fact that a group of people who happen to practice the religion of Islam want to build a mosque there. We are all as Americans sensitive to the fact that something very horrible happened there to some American citizens that had nothing to do with the war on terrorism. We are sensitive to the fact that those Americans who died were targeted by a group of islamist extremist who views aren't Representative of most law abiding Muslims who just happen to also practice the religion of Islam. The question then becomes should moderate Muslims religious rights be denied because of the actions of those Muslims who's views are extreme or are at the fringe of those who practice the religion of Islam? The christian right and others who have some of the same extreme views about other religions other than Christianity are vehemently opposed to such an idea.

Our president came out today to say he supports the right of any American citizens having the right to build a place of worship where ever they have the legal right to do so. He made it very clear that he would not get caught up in the discussion of how wise it is to do so. Only that they do indeed have the right as Americans to do it. Sara Palin, Newt Gingrich and other Americans like them, who's views in my opinion are border line extreme as well, have come out and made it clear that they think it is a bad idea and our president should do the same. The last time I checked this is a country that was founded on the rights of its citizenry to practice our religious freedoms as we see fit as long as it does not impose limitations on the rights of others to do the same. The first amendment specifically states that; "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution." So the idea that some Americans connect 911 to Islam and that is why they should not build there is ridiculous and would be a blatant violation of their first amendment rights.

I believe the real problem with the religious right is not the idea that a religious site is being built there. Their real problem is with Muslims on a whole. I believe it does not matter where they chose to build their mosque in new york that it would still be a problem for them because they dislike all Muslims and anyone who practices the religion of Islam. They can't seem to get the idea that the people who brought down the twin towers are a fringe group of Muslims who religious views are separate from those Muslims whose views are peaceful and law abiding. They are again choosing to play political football with a issue that has nothing to do with politics. They are again using an issue sensitive to all Americans, religion, to try and divide our country along party lines.

It is sad but true that there are still a segment of the American populace that will buy into their ideas of divisiveness and use this issue as an rallying point to polarize the American electoral demographic. Wouldn't all of our interest be better served if we would focus our time and energy on tolerance. Isn't it the same kind of extreme views that created ground zero to begin with? I think so. Martin Luther King said it best when he said; "You can't be the best citizen you can be unless you allow me to be the best citizen I can be, especially when it comes down to our religious freedoms, as long as we learn to practice them in such a way that we do not intentionally hurt or damage others. I think Muslim Americans wanting to build a mosque on ground zero is well within their rights as American citizens to do so.