OPINION: Islamic center a monument to America
There is no question in a legal sense that those behind the Islamic center in New York have the right to construct their building. Even critics of the center have acknowledged that the government has no authority to use its power to thwart construction on the site based on religious objections.
Yet for many who follow these matters, allowing a shrine to Islam so close to the hallowed ground where 3,000 died on 9-11 in the name of Islam is repugnant. Many see the effort as little more than an “in your face” act by those who practice Islam to salute their “victory.”
What is especially galling about this Islamic center is that the major purveyors of Islam in the Middle East would never allow a Christian church or Jewish synagogue to be built near their own hallowed grounds. Can you imagine a synagogue in Mecca?
While Americans might be tolerant of Islam, it doesn’t mean we have to like it or agree with it.
In most parts of the world, Islam is not just another religion within a larger secular society; it is a social, cultural, legal and political system all wrapped into one that flies under the protective banner of “religion.”
But it is a distorted culture, one that thrives on seeing itself as a victim and has a deep hatred of the West. The result: --A culture where many Islamic nations lack the most basic human freedoms found in the West.
--A culture where women are systematically abused in ways that is inherently wrong; the denial of education; mandatory dress; low legal status; toleration of “honor killings;” constricted travel; toleration of family violence.
--A culture that largely condones the use of violence to silence those critical of Islam.
The truth is, many of the values of the West are in direct conflict with the values found in much of the Islamic culture. That the West, especially America, has tolerated this clash without itself resorting to domestic religious violence is the real story here. (Imagine the reaction if Jews had crashed an airplane into Mecca. Would the Islamic nations of the Middle East have been as tolerant?) In the end, the New York Islamic building won’t be a monument to the values of Islam; it will be a monument to the West and to how this nation values liberty, tolerance and freedom.
So let them build their Islamic center near Ground Zero.
What an ironic contrast that will make: An Islamic center on one side of the street that reminds the world of the strength and goodness of American values; on the other side of the street where the Twin Towers stood, a reminder of what Islamic values stand for: Bigotry, violence, hatred and death.
What is especially galling about this Islamic center is that the major purveyors of Islam in the Middle East would never allow a Christian church or Jewish synagogue to be built near their own hallowed grounds. Can you imagine a synagogue in Mecca?
While Americans might be tolerant of Islam, it doesn’t mean we have to like it or agree with it.
In most parts of the world, Islam is not just another religion within a larger secular society; it is a social, cultural, legal and political system all wrapped into one that flies under the protective banner of “religion.”
But it is a distorted culture, one that thrives on seeing itself as a victim and has a deep hatred of the West. The result: --A culture where many Islamic nations lack the most basic human freedoms found in the West.
--A culture where women are systematically abused in ways that is inherently wrong; the denial of education; mandatory dress; low legal status; toleration of “honor killings;” constricted travel; toleration of family violence.
--A culture that largely condones the use of violence to silence those critical of Islam.
The truth is, many of the values of the West are in direct conflict with the values found in much of the Islamic culture. That the West, especially America, has tolerated this clash without itself resorting to domestic religious violence is the real story here. (Imagine the reaction if Jews had crashed an airplane into Mecca. Would the Islamic nations of the Middle East have been as tolerant?) In the end, the New York Islamic building won’t be a monument to the values of Islam; it will be a monument to the West and to how this nation values liberty, tolerance and freedom.
So let them build their Islamic center near Ground Zero.
What an ironic contrast that will make: An Islamic center on one side of the street that reminds the world of the strength and goodness of American values; on the other side of the street where the Twin Towers stood, a reminder of what Islamic values stand for: Bigotry, violence, hatred and death.
in providing real estate for an islamic village
in the middle of America's greatest city of
New York. Ah, stick the knife in America and
now give it a sharp twist. A new age "trojan horse"
by American law must be allowed to be built.
American Troops are still dying to avenge the
horrible attacks by rogue Islamist on 9/11 in
Afghanistan and other undisclosed areas around
the world as billions of tax dollars are spent
in this effort.
What an insult to our fighting forces and
true blue Americans. America's Freedom is being
raped by a people and a faith that has historically
referd to Americans as Infidels and has taught
thier children that America is an EVIL EMPIRE and
must be destroyed. Have American citizens forgotten
the dancing in the streets throughout the lands
of Islam after 9/11? Have the American people
forgotten the beheading of American troops captured
in Iraq and Afghanistan? An American Father, or Son
decapitated by "peaceful Islam". As America bleeds
from Islamic hatred, must we truely wave white flags
as thier Islamic comrads build a trophy of defiance
on our American streets? In the guise of religion,
is it for peace? When is the last time you saw
"American" Muslims dance in the street when America
troops destroyed a taliban stronghold, or when
Saddam was removed from power and executed.
Need I say more,(not that I couldn't)!
If you have not figured it out by now,
I am completely against a mosque being built
in the middle of an Osama Bin laden victory...
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Thank you.