Over the past couple of months, our nation has been divided over the issue of a mosque-slash-community center being built two blocks from Ground Zero in Manhattan. According to CNN.com and estimated 68% of Americans are against it and find it offensive, leaving 32% in favor of such. I count myself as part of the 68% for reasons that might surprise many.
For the record, I do believe that everyone, Muslims included, have the constitutional right to worship and pray however they please. After all, God Himself gave us free will. He wants us to worship Him out of our own free will. Forcing our beliefs on others is not the way to go. Look at the Crusades if you want an example of how successful it would be if we tried to press the issue.
As previously mentioned, I cannot bring myself to support the proposed "Ground Zero" mosque.
For one, there is the obvious reason: it's too close to Ground Zero, too close to where an estimated 2, 752 people were murdered by al-Qaeda terrorists all "in the name of Islam." Sure, the proposed site is two blocks away, but in Manhattan, a city block can consist of one building so you might as well say it's two doors down! In fact, I'd be surprised if the building where they are intending to house the mosque didn't sustain significant damage when the towers fell.
Let's also not forget to mention the people who were either injured or suffered the loss of a family member or friend at Ground Zero. There is a small faction of this group who find themselves in support of this project, stating that it will bring a peaceful healing to the emotional scars and wounds still plaguing our nation after nine years. There is also a large portion of family members and survivors who find this to be an insult, like putting salt on an open wound. This group came to show their opposition at an event held outside the mosque in June. Thousands of survivors, fire fighters, public service officers, and family members who suffered loss and injury on that dark day came to show their disgust and opposition to the project. They carried signs bearing the pictures of their sons, their parents, and siblings with quotes such as "You can build a mosque at Ground Zero when we can build a synagogue at Mecca." Why such an event was never reported by major news agencies and media outlets is beyond me, but it doesn't change the fact that it happened. It doesn't change the fact the fact that our country still hurts.
Finally, and perhaps, most importantly, I question the wisdom behind such a project. As previously mentioned there were close to 3,000 people killed in the World Trade Center attacks. Then there are the thousands of soldiers who've died at the hands of Islam extremists overseas. Add those two together and you have many thousands of families who are hurting and suffering as a result. I find it hard to believe there isn't at least one sadistic psychopath amongst those families and friends who would love nothing more than to avenge their loved ones' death(s). Building a mosque so close to where their suffering all began could only fuel an outraged attack on anyone in that mosque. Who's to say someone won't bomb the place, or fly a plane into that building? I would like to ask the imam who is in charge if he has even questioned this possibility. Even if his intentions are good, does he not care for the safety of the people he serves? Not only that, but if someone does attack the mosque, what kind of feud will that ignite in the way of the terrorists overseas? Will that not give them even MORE reason to hate Americans? Could it not spur yet another al-Qaeda attack on American soil?
With that said, I'll add that Donald Trump has offered to buy the two buildings in hopes to prevent such from happening. Mucho kudos to you, Mr. Trump! On the flipside, liberal film-maker Michael Moore is on a mission to collect a dollar from every American who is in favor of this potential disaster, claiming that he will "outtrump the Trump." Really, Mr. Moore? As previously mentioned 68% of Americans are against this. Even if you succeeded in collecting a dollar from every one of the remaining 32%, Donald Trump would still send you home packing with your tail between your legs faster than any of the first-round losers on The Apprentice!
Now, don't get me wrong. This is nothing against Muslims. I can honestly say that I've never personally met a Muslim I didn't like. If anything, I'm looking out for their safety as well as anyone else's in this. I just don't see where any good can come from building a mosque near Ground Zero.
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