Sacrilege at Ground Zero

An excerpt from the Washington Post on the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York:

Location matters. Especially this location. Ground Zero is the site of the greatest mass murder in American history -- perpetrated by Muslims of a particular Islamist orthodoxy in whose cause they died and in whose name they killed.

Of course that strain represents only a minority of Muslims. Islam is no more intrinsically Islamist than present-day Germany is Nazi -- yet despite contemporary Germany's innocence, no German of goodwill would even think of proposing a German cultural center at, say, Treblinka.

Which makes you wonder about the goodwill behind Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf's proposal. This is a man who has called U.S. policy "an accessory to the crime" of 9/11 and, when recently asked whether Hamas is a terrorist organization, replied, "I'm not a politician.... The issue of terrorism is a very complex question."

America is a free country where you can build whatever you want -- but not anywhere. That's why we have zoning laws. No liquor store near a school, no strip malls where they offend local sensibilities, and, if your house doesn't meet community architectural codes, you cannot build at all.

These restrictions are for reasons of aesthetics. Others are for more profound reasons of common decency and respect for the sacred. No commercial tower over Gettysburg, no convent at Auschwitz -- and no mosque at Ground Zero.

Build it anywhere but there.

via www.washingtonpost.com

From what I hear there are plenty of other places in New York where a mosque could be built. But the fact that it is being constructed just near the site of the 2001 attacks is not only insensitive and disrespectful but also a step backwards in building relations between Islam and mainstream America.

(Posted by Chris Browne)

Comments

[Vikas Nayak]

1.

To start with, if you dont support the construction of this mosque or if you are advocating the involvement of government to STOP the construction, you are a Communist!

Yes, i'm borrowing some of Tim's flair here, but let me justify why. In the united states there are 3 violations of fundamental freedoms enumerated through the 1st Ammendment (at least by SCOTUS has defined them). They are:

1) Freedom of Religion
2) Freedom of Assembly
3) Freedom of Expression

So from a government standpoint itself, the construction of this mosque should not be stopped.

But i want to come to the most important point, and the point that really comes from a philosophical standpoint. The mosque HAS NOT violated any building codes or zoning laws, and the seller had NO PROBLEM with the buyer putting a mosque there. Private Propety rights is the fundamental of liberalism. Only socilists/communists/religious fundamentalists would break this core tenant, so i have no hesitation in saying that if you oppose the construction of this mosque that you simply hate freedom.

[Benjamin Bankruptcy]

2.

I can't see the issue. There are churches in Jerusalem site of the massacres of the Crusades. There are american and australian embasies in The canadians have an embassy in Hiroshima, given they were allies in the ww2 is this not also in poor taste.

I'm sure no one would um in arms if they the Catholics built a church near the Oklahoma bomb site.

It's not an insult it's a blessing so get over it

[Tim Andrews]

3.

I'm not endorsing government intervention, but rather some sensitivity and common sense from those who want to construct the mosque there. If they really are in the business of building relations, then I'm sure a less contentious site could be chosen.

Just because it is legal, it doesn't necessarily mean it is sensible. Chris

[Vikas Nayak]

4.

Very well, thats their call then. Personally, like Benjamin, i fail to see the controversy.

[annette]

5.

There are laws and rights.Where is the decency? This is the freedom being taken away from the American people and I do hope they stand up for what is morally right!
All around the world we are rolling over so as not to offend, now we should take offence and let everyone know we are not soft touches.
I dont really understand where Mr Bankrupt is coming from regarding Catholics and the Oklahoma bombing?Did the bomber do that in the name of God or the Pope??

[GNav]

6.

“Location matters” in Islam. This story highlights an interesting aspect of Islamic culture – the appropriation of key locations in conquered cities to highlight Islamic dominance. The classic example is the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul; others include the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus (formerly the Basilica of John the Baptist) or the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Famagusta, Cyprus (formerly the Cathedral of St Nicholas). These cities were all still majority-Christian when these churches (the most prominent buildings in each centre) were appropriated. There were still plenty of churches for the remaining Christians to worship in, but these had to be smaller and subordinate. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was spared largely because the then-deserted temple mount was a much more appropriate location for the construction of a prominent mosque to dominate the skyline – the Dome of the Rock. Perhaps the Islamic fundamentalists of today believe that skyscrapers are modern-day cathedrals of commerce and industry to be conquered and appropriated. Perhaps this explains the use of a religious term – sacrilege – in the title of this post?

[Vikas Nayak]

7.

Not liking where something is does not reduce your freedom.

Tell me annette, why do you hate freedom?

[Eric]

8.

Vikas, would you like a society where everyone exercises their freedom to offend, freedom to be insensitive, freedom to bully? All civil society puts certain restrictions on freedom when those freedom trespasses on another's right.

[Rog]

9.

"I fail to see the controversy"

The controversy would be that the site of the proposed mosque is just down the road from the site or the terror attacks that killed thousands of innocent people in 2001. People who lived and worked around that area, many of the firefighters, polics and other rescue workers.

Some sensitivity wouldn't go astray following the attack which was committed in the name of Islam.

[Vikas Nayak]

10.

There is no freedom to bully, infact, the law goes against bullying and the general approach of liberalism is that one's rights end where another's begins. Being offended, isn't an infringement on one's rights (except in socialist/communist utopias). I'm sorry you hate freedom Eric.

The controversy would be that the site of the proposed mosque is just down the road from the site or the terror attacks that killed thousands of innocent people in 2001. People who lived and worked around that area, many of the firefighters, polics and other rescue workers.

Some sensitivity wouldn't go astray following the attack which was committed in the name of Islam.

Muslims died on 9/11 too you know. Anyhow, this is irrelevant, since there are churches at sites of christian atrocities through out israel. Benjamin also pointed out that the US has an embassy at Hiroshima. People's feelings are relevant to them, however, this is a private property/legal issue, and the muslims are free to build on those grounds. While you can feel offended, there is no protection or recourse legally for people being offended.

[pk]

11.

There was a prayer room in Tower Two of the WTC and Muslims died in the attacks who were not the highjackers, and who would never endorse this kind of rabid murder for which Islam is used as an excuse.

You can ask people to be sensitive and decent but you can't force them by law to be.

Plenty of local farms and housing built on the blood soaked ground of Aborigines who we murdered by settlers. It's the way of the world.

[Brett]

12.

Its pretty cool how you don't support the concept of private.

Guess which political movement is also opposed to private property....

[GNav]

13.

"there are churches at sites of christian atrocities through out israel"

That's an interesting statement, Vikas Nayak. Are you referring to the sack of Jerusalem by (western) Crusaders in July 1099? Local Christians and Jews were caught up among the Muslims as victims in the aftermath of that siege. Of course, there had been churches in Jerusalem for hundreds of years before that.

Besides that atrocity example... any others? Can you name one Christian church in Israel built on the site of a Christian-sponsored atrocity?

Just as we should be careful to distinguish the extremist fringe from the mainstream in Islam, let's show the same courtesy towards Christianity, and avoid statements of dubious historicity.

[Vikas Nayak]

14.

Not really relevant GNav i only need 1 example (but if you're willing to expand the domain, i can cite plenty of examples of indian temples being burned down and replaced by catholic churches from the home of my ancestors in Goa and Sri Lanka), however if you concede that having churches before excuses the sensitivity issue, let me point out that a mosque already existed near the WTC.

Just a quick google search points out that there is another mosque within 1 mile of the proposed one that is opening up (less than 1 mile from ground zero), and one already up that is CLOSER to the ground zero that has been open since 1970 (http://www.masjidmanhattan.com/).

Basically, if you have something against this mosque, you have something against freedom.

[Benjamin Bankruptcy]

15.

there were muslims and jews killed in the 911 attacks. There was a muslim prayer room in the Twin Towers

[Rog]

16.

This video is excellent regarding this issue: http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/06/pat-condell-on-ground-zero-mosque-is-it-possible-to-be-astonished-but-not-surprised.html

[annette]

17.

Vikas says I hate freedom and am a communist! All that have an opinion are freedom haters and communists?There has to be some form of order in this world otherwise there is anarchy. So what is the problem with being religious? If you are religious does that mean you are a fanatic? I dont think so.I have always found people who hate freedom are the ones who belittle and look down their noses at other peoples opinions and feelings. That is communism, shutting people up with sarcasm and creepy questions!

[Vikas Nayak]

18.

Noone's shutting you up annette, communists are allowed to speak no matter how wrong they are. Its only people who hate freedom that like to dictate where people CANT build things on their own private property.

But thanks for answering my question, and yes, freedom and your god are incompatible characters from a book. I'm sorry that you hate freedom, but dont worry, noone will deny you freedom despite your desires to impose theocratic rule on the world.

[annette]

19.

Who is your God?....Let me guess, you seem to be able to read so much in to my comments..it must be you!

[Angry Conservative]

20.

Annette, don't take too much notice of the atheist libertarians who carp on about freedom on this blog site. You'll notice that they're as quick to defend Islam as they are to attack Christianity.
There's a simple reason for this:
Islam is not really a threat. Sure, there's a few radicals over there in the Middle-East who pose a threat. But Islam doesn't really challenge them because they know it's inferior to Christianity. Comparing Islam to Christianity is like comparing a Datsun to a Mercedes.
Christianity threatens atheists because of its insistence on objective moral truths.

Christianity emerged out of Judaism. Our saviour, Jesus Christ, was indeed the "king of the Jews" but also the king of all mankind. The atheists, like Muslims, know that the Jews are a special race but they can't understand why. You only have to read the Old Testament to get some idea of God's first covenant people.
You're right, though, in that final point. When people become too proud to believe in God and follow His commands, they become their own little gods and there is no end to the sin and evil that follows.

[pk]

21.

hahahahahahahahahahaaa

Hey maybe we can put you all on an island in the pacific somewhere and you can all have punch ups and arm-wrestles over who's religion is the best!

It might make a nice chnage from the usual genocide, suicide bombings and child rape you like to inflict on everyone else, over such matters.

[Vikas Nayak]

22.

Annette, i dont believe in god, but women have had religious experiences in my presence, so your assessment may be entirely possible ;).

But i pause and digress...

The issue here isn't religion, its the freedom of people to practice their religion. While i think all religions are nuts, i dont believe in impeding people to indulge their delusions (thats strictly a matter for the head doctors). In conclusion, if you dont support this mosque, you hate freedom, which begs the question "Why the hate guys?"

[Dan Nolan]

23.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahhaha

Settle down there crazy pants

[Angry Conservative]

24.

Are there any female libertarians? It appears that the libertarians who write on this blog are often single, young, male atheists. From the LDP ranks, I haven't observed many females.
Do you think atheist libertarianism is more appealing to young males such as yourself, the likes of whom have 'all care and no responsibility'?

[pk]

25.

....and how exactly do you know the sex of everyone posting here AG?

Or do you just follow your usual mindset of blind assumption and delusions of superiority?