Behind The Mosque

I know that this is an election year and that before long we will be full on in the middle of "silly season." But someone needs to explain to me what the big ass deal is about the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" in New York City.

First off, that description is a terribly poor fit. The mosque will not be located on ground zero. In fact, it is actually 2 1/2 city blocks from the site of the former World Trade Center. That's about 250 yards or 2 1/2 football fields away. So let us please dispel the notion that this mosque will be set up on hallowed ground.

Still. this is far too close for far too many. To those who would argue that a mosque has no business anywhere near the site, I would ask, "How far away is far enough?" 6 football fields? Albany? New Jersey? Where would it be okay with you to have a mosque? My guess is that many of these folks would wish that there be no mosques anywhere in the United States.

I'm also willing to bet that most of the people that espouse this point of view can be found in Tea Party rallies carrying on about the constitution. Ah yes, the constitution. That landmark document that preserves freedom of religion. Say what? Yeah, that's right, freedom of religion. Of course, I know many of these same people would argue that the founders of our nation were Christians, and therefore the freedom that they were referring to didn't include any heathen beliefs. However, if you are a strict constructionist and go by the letter of the constitution--and I know you do--then you are just flat out wrong. The constitution does not state a national religion. In fact, it seems to make great pains to avoid such a proclamation.

Now of course, there are people who aren't Tea Party types who have discomfort with this as well. They think it's in bad taste, or they just don't like the idea of a Muslim worship site near the place where our greatest modern national tragedy happened and was perpetrated by radical Muslims.

But therein lies the rub. Radical Muslims did this, not everyday Muslims. Most Muslims may have issues with some U.S. policies, but don't we all? And that doesn't mean that the average Muslim wants to blow up all of our buildings. Far from it. Most Muslims want to assimilate into our society while still retaining their core religious beliefs and a place to practice them. What's so bad about that?

Which brings me to another point: fear. Why are we so governed by emotion and so easily frightened? I have lived for the last seven years around the corner from a mosque. Hell, I think we were in the neighborhood for 2-3 years before a friend pointed it out to me. Up until then, I hadn't even noticed. I can tell you with a straight face that never once have I seen or heard a single disparaging word about that place of worship.

If we really want to worry about radical Muslims, we should probably be more concerned with what we don't see. I can't imagine a mosque that is less likely to be radical than one down the street from Ground Zero. And shouldn't we be trying to bring moderate Muslims in as opposed to pushing them away? Wouldn't we be better off as people if we understood their beliefs and traditions on a higher level? I certainly think so.

Lastly, I think it's important to remember that this is still America. A nation of laws and immigrants. We should no more disallow the lawful existence of a mosque in New York City than we should disallow rednecks driving up in trucks in front of the Oklahoma City Building.

Because, it's not who you are, it's what you do. And we can do better than this.

Sumo-Pop
August 13, 2010