A Two-Headed Controversy

As in most controversies, the truth generally lies somewhere in the middle.

Members of the Muslim faith desire to build an edifice for religious worship in a building that will also serve as a community center with recreational facilities, libraries and meeting rooms. The facility is to be constructed near the site where the World Trade Center once stood.

I’ve read enough and watched sufficient news coverage about the New York City Mosque controversy to understand the basics and what I’ve come to understand is that this unfortunate debate has two ugly heads. One, it is a sad, sad indication of group labeling and religious intolerance in our country. Two, it is a powerful example of insensitivity.

As for the first, please people; let’s not forget the critical principles in our country of freedom of religion and private property rights. Being Muslim does not equal being a 9-11 terrorist. This is a religion practiced in every country of the world by kind, thoughtful and caring individuals. If the building permit they seek conforms to local zoning and land use regulations, then they have every right to build it. So stop with the chest-pounding, emotional appeals and condemnation of an entire religion due to the actions of a few radical fringe practitioners.

As for the second, surely there’s a more appropriate place to construct this house of worship and community outreach center. I concur with former Mayor Giuliani speaking on the Today Show on Thursday. They have every right to build this center wherever they please. No question. But if the motive of the Imam who is leading the effort is, as he claims, to bring about healing in the community, wouldn’t it be better to find a location other than this one which seems to be creating nothing but controversy and divisiveness? While he may very well have the right to build it where he desires, I’m concerned his sensitivity meter is a bit out of kilter.

Having the right to do something is not always synonymous with it being the right thing do to.

Maybe if everyone would back down on the rhetoric, Facebook polls, harsh accusations and ugliness, some level of sensitivity might rise to the surface and cooperation might be found.

Otherwise, in my opinion, the terrorists win. They’ve caused us to forget the very principle that formed America in the first place, religious tolerance.