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Where is the freedom to practice religion?
There has been a lot of hoopla with the construction and erection of a mosque near ground zero. A lot of Americans claim that it's injustice, in bad taste or simply not allowed. The trauma and tragedy of 9/11 is still fresh in their hearts and in their minds.
However, I find this to be a little emotionally charged and misconstrued. The operative word here is "near". It is not within the confines of ground zero, it is not within the immediate and visible vicinity of ground zero (I mean, visible enough for pedestrians) but rather about 4 blocks away from ground zero.
In a country where you're supposed to have sanctuary from religious persecution, this is happening. Yes, the 9/11 event was tragic and it was very traumatic for individuals who have lost their loved ones there and for the entire world because it suddenly gave us a harsh picture of our own mortality. I am not belittling that. I can't. But I just would like to state that just because one or two bad Muslims brought the twin towers down doesn't mean that all Muslims are plotting the same thing. It's like saying that I'm not supposed to be allowed entry to China or Hong Kong because of what that Filipino hostage taker has done inside that bus. I'm sorry this has happened and I'm sorry that people have died but this doesn't mean I should suffer along with him because I didn't do anything wrong except be related to him by virtue of race.
Now, in as much as I dislike any organized religion, I must stress that I do not wish that anyone leave their religion if it makes them happy and helps them to be better people and be better with other people as well. If you want to practice Islam and you have been doing well, not causing grief and helping other people out, I say go knock yourself out. If you want to practice Catholicism and come out being a better productive and responsible citizen of society, then I say wallow in it. If you want to practice Wicca and dance naked on af ull moon and spread good vibes and love, I say go ahead. America is supposed to be the sanctuary of those who are religiously oppressed. Why are they oppressing the building of a mosque then?
Mosques already near ground zero
In a country where you're supposed to have sanctuary from religious persecution, this is happening. Yes, the 9/11 event was tragic and it was very traumatic for individuals who have lost their loved ones there and for the entire world because it suddenly gave us a harsh picture of our own mortality. I am not belittling that. I can't. But I just would like to state that just because one or two bad Muslims brought the twin towers down doesn't mean that all Muslims are plotting the same thing. It's like saying that I'm not supposed to be allowed entry to China or Hong Kong because of what that Filipino hostage taker has done inside that bus. I'm sorry this has happened and I'm sorry that people have died but this doesn't mean I should suffer along with him because I didn't do anything wrong except be related to him by virtue of race.
Now, in as much as I dislike any organized religion, I must stress that I do not wish that anyone leave their religion if it makes them happy and helps them to be better people and be better with other people as well. If you want to practice Islam and you have been doing well, not causing grief and helping other people out, I say go knock yourself out. If you want to practice Catholicism and come out being a better productive and responsible citizen of society, then I say wallow in it. If you want to practice Wicca and dance naked on af ull moon and spread good vibes and love, I say go ahead. America is supposed to be the sanctuary of those who are religiously oppressed. Why are they oppressing the building of a mosque then?
Mosques already near ground zero
