The Mosque at Ground Zero

I debated whether to weigh in on this topic, given that the ‘debate’ seems so ridiculous. But the fact that there is a ‘debate’ is more of an issue than the mosque itself. In all the reports, debates, updates, and conversations I’ve heard about the efforts to establish a mosque at Ground Zero, not one has neglected to mention that American Muslims have the constitutional right to practice their religion. This is always issued with great righteous indignation or as a disclaimer inevitably followed by a “but” or “however”. But I have not heard a single argument that even suggests the constitutional protection of freedom of religion does not apply to Muslims in NYC. So why do advocates of the mosque insist on acting as if their rights are not being respected? Clearly, it’s easier to generate public sympathy if you can portray yourself as a victim of intolerance, hatred or fear.


One has the constitutional right to start or join an organization generating propaganda against a particular race, color, religion, sexual preference, or a group defined by any other arbitrary criteria. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. All things that are lawful are not expedient.


I’m sure we can all imagine situations in which our next-door neighbor makes decisions involving property use, construction, or décor that are within their ‘rights’ but do not necessarily take the community’s interests in to account. If Islam really is a religion of peace, and if the goal of these particular Muslims is merely to build a house of worship, they would choose a less proactive location. True peace-loving Muslims would want to distance themselves from the tragedy of 9/11 and restore the reputation of the religion they came to adopt.


Forget the specious arguments, forget the rhetoric about intolerance and persecution, and forget the contrived controversy about constitutional rights. Putting a mosque at ground zero is about poking a stick in the eye of the infidels and glorifying the ‘sacrifice’ of the 9/11 hijackers who killed 3000 Americans. Let’s end this sophistry that pretends to make it about anything else.