To Build or Not to Build...

The hot topic, should a mosque be built near ground zero of the World Trade Center terrorist attack? I am a believer in the Constitution and the 1st Amendment. I believe if someone chooses to build a church, mosque or temple they should be permitted.

However, is the choice of location in this specific instance in poor taste or worse, instigating a religious war albeit not intentionally? It was Muslim extremists that attacked the twin towers without regard to whom would be killed. They were attacking capitalism at its core and striking terror into all Americans without thought of what religion they may have been participants. I am certain all religions were harmed by the terrorists on that fateful day. I believe building a mosque at the very heart of this attack will instigate the Christian extremists in the same light. The newly built mosque will be a rallying cry for those looking for a reason to retaliate. If the Christian extremists attack the mosque, will they care if there is a Jewish family walking by? What if there is a Christian day care a block away? No, they won’t think of that. Ironically, their hatred will show no discrimination on religion just as 9/11 didn’t. Terrorist react to their own agenda without regard to children, elderly or religion.

All that being said, I don’t think it is wise to build this mosque but not because I don’t believe Muslims should be allowed to practice their religion where they choose but rather because I think the only way to increase religious harmony going forward is to show respect for what was lost. What that loss signifies to the survivors. Would it be respectful for the Aryan Nation to have its headquarters in front of a WWII death camp in Germany or would that be instigating a reaction? Would it be appropriate for an anti-American Japanese group to build on the edge of Pearl Harbor or is that confrontational?

I believe in the Constitution but moreover I believe in the greater good of all Americans and the unalienable Rights. ..”That among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”. When these rights are taken from American citizens the greater good needs to be protected by our government. Protecting our homeland involves more than guns and fighting. Stop the events that lead to battle before they happen. Build the mosque further away out of respect for those who lost their unalienable right to life. For the survivors that lost their unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness and to all Americans who felt their unalienable right to liberty was threatened and can never be taken for granted. Build it further away to gain respect from all Americans for the Muslim religion to show their desire to create religious harmony. Build it further away because it’s the right thing to do in this case.