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Should a Mosque be Built at Ground Zero
By Frank KaufmannAugust 15, 2010
One can only be concerned over the politicization of the controversy surroundingplans to build an Islamic center and mosque near the site of the World Trade Center.Elected officials have gone on record opposing the development of a mosque twoblocks from Ground Zero.
45 Park Place in Manhattan
Photo: Gryffindor – CC by SA 3.0
 
I am surprised.I am not surprised that the Sienna College poll shows that 63 percent of New York voters oppose the project. Voters have no obligation to be familiar with theConstitution of the United States (though it wouldn't be a bad idea if we were). But Ialways thought that elected officials and those formally entrusted with politicalleadership were supposed to be familiar with the constitution of the United States.So far as I know, the first amendment to the US Constitution has not been beenrepealed. For those hearing about either the US Constitution, or the first amendmentfor the first time, here is a little background. It is the first part of what are called the Billof Rights. The first amendment was ratified December 15, 1791. It reads "Congressshall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the freeexercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right ofthe people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress ofgrievances." A few years before that, some of the same folk responsible for theseradical ideas also penned something called The Declaration of Independence. Therewe discover that the United States of America was founded on other similarly nuttynotions like: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that amongthese are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."Americans have agreed to live in concert with these views for over 230 years. Theideas are not new.
 
Again, though not a lawyer, I believe it is legal to be Muslim in America. How is it thenthat people who enjoy the trust of citizens to have authority over us and to lead usaccording to the laws of the land are taking positions against the US constitution?Do I like Islam? I like some things about it. Does that matter? No. The rightsguaranteed Americans are not contingent upon whether I like people, or their religion. Do I think a mosque near Ground Zero is a good idea? I happen to likeplaces of worship. And as I've said in prior writing, it would be nice for Muslim familieswho lost their loved ones who had gone to work in the World Trade Towers on 9/11 tohave a place to pray in their memory. But does it matter if a mosque 2 blocks fromGround Zero is a good idea or not? No. The Constitution of the United States was notwritten to be ignored when people don't like something, or when people have badideas. It was written to guaranty what the framers agreed are inalienable rights. I amdisappointed when elected officials are willing to ignore and violate the constitutionof the United States, even if a given elected official happens to dislike some other American's religion.Now. What if preachers in the mosque spew dangerous teachings and hatred ofAmerica. Well, curiously enough the very same amendment (the very firstamendment) also guarantees American citizens freedom of speech. Sadly our wonderful country is full of people inciting hatred against our great country and itspeople (many of whom have died protecting the rights of these ingrates to say whatthey like). This is an enormously challenging part of the first amendment, but for somereason (indeed for the noblest of reasons) we have chosen to uphold this right for Americans for the past 230 years. It is really a bad idea to chose to stop now, even ifyou don't like somebody's religion.So. "Is building a mosque 2 blocks from ground zero a good idea?" is not the rightquestion (at least not the right question if one is trying to decide whether or not itshould be permitted). The right questions are these: "Is it legal to be Muslim inAmerica?" and "Has the 1st amendment of the US Bill of Rights been repealed?"Frankly I am a little afraid when elected officials are willing to ignore or violate the USConstitution. What if tomorrow someone doesn't like my religion? And the day after that the governor doesn't like your religion? Want to block the development of amosque at 45 Park Place? Zone the area so that no places of worship may bepermitted anywhere within a two block radius of Ground Zero. Oops, what are wegoing to do with St. Paul's Chapel, opened in 1766, Manhattan's oldest public buildingin continuous use - a place where George Washington worshiped and 9/11 recoveryworkers received round-the-clock care. Part of the Episcopal Parish of Trinity Church,St. Paul's is a center for worship and the arts, a community of reconciliation, and aplace of pilgrimage for all people. For me one of the most glorious buildings inAmerica. I think it would be great if the mosque leaders outdid St. Paul's in love andpride for America. That would be wonderful, but wonderful or not, it's not a conditionto be protected by the the Constitution.So far we Americans get a little touchy when people bomb us. That's understandable.But it is bad enough that the lives of our precious brothers and sisters were lost, and
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