November 5, 2024

4 thoughts on “Ground Zero Mosque: Shooting Low and Shooting High

  1. Oliver’s article is well-written and seems to be balanced, however, I can think of one major point that has been omitted. The apostle Paul, as a proponent of religious freedom, said to the Corinthians “that all things are permissible but not all things are helpful.” Having not yet read Gingrich or Cohen’s pro/con Mosque arguments but being fairly familar with both, I would only add that just because our Constitution allows freedom of religion and religious assembly that those practicing the free excise thereof should not refrain from using good taste or good judgment.
    During the Crusades, and in subsequent historical contexts, the building of Mosques symbolized a military victory of Islam over Christendom, and vice-versa.(i.e. the cross on the Dome of Rock was replaced with the Golden Crescent after Saladin conquered Jerusalem) In light of the fact, that the ‘jihadists’ themselves have declared war on America, and for that matter the West, it would seem to me that building a Mosque near the sight of where 3000 innocents died at the hands of Islamic terrorism is not helpful and sniffs of Islamic triumphalism. If Islam is a peaceful religion and truly seeks to build bridges then Imam Rauf should offer a location “more helpful” to those still grieving 9/11. I might offer as a possible analogy-What if the United States, after the bombing of Hiroshima sought to build a Christian church complete with an American flag flying in the courtyard? After our victory over Japanese militarism we would have every right but would it be tasteful, or helpful. Of course not.

  2. Rauf is a Hamas backer and refuses to condemn Islamic terrorism, referring to it as “complicated.” He is not a moderate, nor does he have good intentions (not that you necessarily said those things).

    Either way, it is very clear that he is doing this to rub 9/11 into the faces of the American people. Radical Muslims always build mosques where they conquer (Gaza, Istanbul, etc.) and this is not an exception. They think that they have indirectly conquered America and are close to fully doing so. Therefore, they are building a mosque at the main conquer point.

  3. You both bring up good points, and a similar point that was made in other editorials, including Pat Buchanan’s, which had what I believe to be one of the most sound arguments against the mosque. This of course, is that one has to exercise respectful judgment even if something is legally acceptable – i.e, building the mosque in a sensitive location. I agree entirely – as I said, “Rauf, is egregiously pushing what he knows to be a very controversial agenda that can only work positively for him…his deliberate instigation.”

    My article isn’t about whether or not the mosque is a good idea. I wanted to illustrate where the left has failed in identifying a threat and where the right’s overzealousness is taking them backwards. Bloomberg should not have exhibited the knee-jerk reaction of ‘build the mosque or go to hell’ and instead encouraged Rauf to choose a different location, recognizing the concerns of New Yorkers. Among those concerns is the one you both brought up. However, the fact remains that the allegation only applies when a violent, radical sect of Islam ‘conquers’ a location (which they did). Saying Rauf can’t build his mosque is including him in that radical, violent Islamic sect, and if he doesn’t have provable ties then the assumption is all Muslims are violent.

    Muslims erecting mosques at conquer points is a historical pattern, certainly. For that reason, among others, Rauf should, if he truly were a peace-seeking Muslim, take his house of worship somewhere else. Unfortunately the legal system won’t stop him. Unfortunately Bloomberg won’t dissuade him, and unfortunately pundits are too narrow-minded to put proper pressure on him.

    Peter, I of course can’t be sure about his intentions. Of course, as I said, his commitment to peace is ‘dubious at best.’
    Dennis, the site is owned by SoHo Properties.

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