The Ground Zero mosque controversy continues unabated. With the President defending the New York mosque and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying that critics of the mosque should be investigated (ironic, given that no one is investigating where the funding for the mosque is coming from), the project has become completely politicized.
9-11 families (see the ad above), and numerous commentators, politicians, and religious leaders have all offered their opinions. Now, New York’s Archbishop has entered the fray.
Archbishop Timothy Dolan says that he supports religious freedom and the right of Muslims to build a mosque, but he questions whether one should be built so near Ground Zero.
Archbishop Dolan said that it was his prayer that a compromise could be reached and offered his assistance as a mediator between those who want to build the mosque and those who are critical of the decision.
Speaking at a news conference yesterday at Covenant House, Dolan provided the example of Pope John Paul II, who in 1993 asked Catholic nuns to relocate their convent at Auschwitz following protests by Jewish leaders.
“He’s the one who said, ‘Let’s keep the idea, and maybe move the address,’ ” said Archbishop Dolan. “It worked there; might work here.”
One thing is for certain. The issue is a contentious one. A recent poll by Siena College showed that 63 percent of New York State voters oppose the Mosque.
Do Muslims have the right to build the mosque? Most certainly. Religious freedom is one of the things that makes America great. It’s one of the things that differentiates America from a country like Saudi Arabia. We, as practicing Catholics, ought to always and everywhere defend religious freedom, or soon we’ll find ourselves unable to build Churches or Cathedrals where we want them.
However, just because the developers have the right to build, does that mean they should? That’s another question entirely.
The reaction of so many 9-11 families, and even moderate Muslims opposed to the project, is enough to convince me that there are probably better places in Manhattan for the mosque. Based upon the widespread opposition to the project, developers might want to consider that the idea of a mosque so near Ground Zero is considered by many to be both insensitive and a provocation.
For the sake of Muslim-American relations, move the mosque.
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this has been saying it all for me:
http://alterpolus.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/confederate-flag-placed-on-mlks-assasination-site/
it’s gotta move.
Tim, I think you have “hit the nail on the head” here! Great post.
The Pentagon has an open chapel with scheduled services for all faiths. How about having the same for this area, 2 blocks from Ground Zero? Will the builders of the Mosque allow for that, with Christian and Jewish contributors? Such a project may promote healing versus division.
A not-unrelated question: Why is it that, after 9 years, the congregation of St Nicholas Orthodox Church, which owned a building (and property and title) in the Ground Zero area which was totally destroyed on 9/11, has not been given clearance to rebuild yet? Having said that, I am utterly appalled with the bigotry and ignorance of many many of those who oppose the construction of a mosque in the area. A sad commentary on America.
I agree with Douglas Hadley on the Greek Orthodox Church. I think it should be considered first & rebuilt. I do not agree that it is bigotry & ignorance of many who oppose the Mosque in the area. Ground Zero is hallowed ground where thousands of people are buried and we have to consider first, the feelings of the victims families (whether Christian, Jew or Muslim). There is a Mosque two blocks away and a new Mosque can be built elsewhere. After all these years, it is about time this area (which is basically a gravesite or cemetery) should be made presentable for all people who visit. Please keep in mind the families of the victims in forming a decision.
Saudi Arabia is the probable funder of the GZM. Saudi Arabia allows no Christian churches or facilities within its borders.
What’s wrong with this picture?
http://t.co/ey8UR3h Since posting our video, I have been called unAmerican and a bigot. Each could not be further from the truth. I am a sensitive, caring, proud to live in the greatest country in the world American. Some things are right and others are not, this is not. Move the location and the problem goes away. Why should over 70% of America be the tolerant ones. If this is about peace and bridge-building Imam Rauf would move the location. Why does he insist? Why a dedication planned for 09/11/11? Where is the money coming from? Why does he not denounce Hamas? Why do you not remodel your existing mosque? Why do you insist on shoving this down our throats. Yes, sensitivity is the issue, not our sensitivity. It is the burial ground of 3,000 people that were murdered by his radical brothers.
It is obvious that the Moslems are challenging Christianity by taking advantage of our democratic way of life that allow other to have freedom of religion. Building the mosque at ground zero is not for freedom of religion it is for challenge of Christianity. I don’t agree with the president or the mayor neither of them is Christian. Why should the president talk about it anyway. Why should the mayor act like he is the good guy.
There should be a memorial built in honor of those who died on the hand of the bloody terrorists who happened to be Moslems and they come from countries that do not allow Christians or Jews to practice their religion.
I am sorry to say that we are wasting time on defining the right, the freedom and the tolerance of others. This country was built on tolerance, freedom and rights to all. Today the Moslems build a mosque, tomorrow will impose their Sharea law and after tomorrow they will kick us out of the country. Look what happened to the Christians in the Middle east and Europe. Christianity was born in Palestine and spread all over the world. Wake up and see the light. Building a mosque in ground zero is not a right for the Moslems it is a challenge to Christianity.
I suggest we find out where the money is coming from. Follow the money. We already know that Saudi Arabia funds schools where their radical view of Islam is taught. The majority of the 9-11 bombers were from that country. Osama Bin Laden is a Saudi. It is past time we told the truth about our relationship with this two faced “friend” of America.
F.Y.I.- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd5EysW-oJM
At the end of the Day, a group of Muslims who refuse to condemn terrorism and terrorist groups such as Hamas, are not practicing the Islamic Religion and have no right to build a Mosque nor should they be allowed to build a Mosque as they are among the group of those Muslims who have hijacked the Islamic Religion and are a threat to all those who value our unalienable Right to Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness that have been endowed to each one of us from God.
“Islam” translates as “submission”. Read the later Suras of the Qur’an those that are superior to earlier ones (usually touted to show the alleged peace-loving nature of Islam) and you will have to come to realise that here is no freedom of religion within Islam and none should be granted to it. The proposed mosque at Ground Zero is symbolic of America being brought into submission by Islam and its proponents - make no mistake about that. Islam, studied as it should be, is totally against any other religion or faith, it is the manifestation of the Anti-Christ under the guise of a so-called “religion”, totally aimed at taking over the world’s other religions, with force (kill the Infidel), suicide bombings, 9/11, Lockerbie. Inform yourself about the real nature of Islam and wake up! Pax Christi.
There are two issues here that we should not be bullied into confusing with each other. 1)- The Issue of Religious Freedom- The God-given RIGHT to worship as one sees fit. This is a God-given right because it is part of our dignity and free will as human beings made in the image and likeness of God. Most Americans would not contest that. 2) The Second issue is the issue of “tolerance”- a secular term used to confuse people about whether or not they are being ‘loving’ enough. No one should be bullied into confusing Love and Human Rights with “tolerance”. “Tolerance” does not equal love in every context- for example- to Tolerate EVIL is NOT LOVE. It is not “loving” to suggest to the families of those still mourning that the Muslims need to build a Mosque in that exact place is greater than their need to honor the memory of those who died in that senseless tragedy. Why RUB SALT in the very real WOUND of LOSS…when we do not have to? We should not be niave- the original name for the Mosque was “Conquest”. What does that tell us about their desire and ‘need’ build it in that place? If they are truly loving people, love God and love others, they will not insist on this provocative move. If we are TRULY LOVING people, we will not sit back and force those still mourning to have this put in their face—when a happy compromise of building the Mosque further down the street EXISTS. We have the right to find out where the funding for this project is coming from and make that public as well. We also have the RIGHT as free citizens to question why the Orthodox Community has not yet been given permission to rebuild.
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