-(Qur'an) Sura 2:111
Something to note here. Whether or not I agree with Islamic teaching has no effect whatsoever on the legal rights of these Americans. This should have nothing to do with religion. Unfortunately, it has become an issue that is almost entirely driven by religion and stereotyping. I don't agree with Islam, but that is completely irrelevant when dealing with the basic rights of these people.
First, let's clear up some common misconceptions.
1. It's a mosque
Wrong. It's a civic center. Even if it was a mosque, however, these people have the legal right to build there. They are American's who own the land. If they want to build a plane parts factory, they have that legal right. It is unconstitutional to deny them any building they please simply because they are Muslim.
2. The proposed building site is on the site where the World Trade Center used to be
Wrong. It's blocks away. There's another mosque already built that is even closer. Why do people care if Muslims build there? And even if it was on the site of Ground Zero, if those people paid for the land, they have the right to build whatever they choose. Again, even if it wasn't two blocks away, a legal right is a legal right, regardless of what religion these people are.
3. They are rubbing it in our faces
This is one of the most stereotypical things anyone can say. There is absolutely no reason to believe that the people trying to build this civic center had anything to do with the bombing nine years ago. When a group of religious zealots bomb an abortion clinic, you do not hold all Christians responsible for this. Likewise, when a terrorist group bombs a building, who are you to say that all Muslims must share the blame? There is absolutely no reason to expect that any of these people have any kind of anti-American wishes. It's blatant prejudice.
I speak against people who I feel do wrong and I support them when they are right, regardless of religion. If a Christian religious group wanted to build a church on a lot 200 yards from a bombed abortion clinic, they have that right. There is no reason to associate them with that particular act. The same applies to every religious faction. Any Christian who blames the builders of this civic center for 9-11 deserve to be blamed themselves to the child molestation from Catholic priests. If you feel like you shouldn't be blamed for that, then you have no right blaming all Muslims for any act a small group of them performed.
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| xkcd.com |
