The Ground Zero mosque seems to still be causing controversy. The Religious Right seems to think that it makes for a great wedge issue right before the midterm elections. With that in mind, it is no surprise that President Obama had to comment on this issue. This week’s Washington Post’s “On Faith” topic deals again with this mosque: Religious freedom vs. wisdom
President Obama, after saying that building a mosque at Ground Zero fit our "commitment to religious freedom," backtracked, saying he wasn't commenting on the 'wisdom' of building it so close to 'hallowed ground.' A Fox News poll showed that while 61 percent of Americans believe that Cordoba House has a constitutional right to build near Ground Zero, 64 percent believe it is not appropriate to do so. Does Obama's hedging show a lack of ethical convictions? Does Hamas' endorsement change the debate? What is behind public opposition to the site? Can you believe in religious freedom but not believe the mosque is appropriate?"
As I have stated in previous articles, I fully support the right to build mosques, churches, and temples on private property in properly zoned locations. This is in accordance with our freedom of religion. But as the President of the Federation said in Star Trek VI (yeah, I'm that geeky and I am going there) “Just because we can do a thing doesn’t necessarily mean that we must do that thing.”
I don’t personally support the building of any mosques, churches, or temples. Every house of worship is monument to superstition and a reminder of religious oppression. Giving these buildings tax exempt status is a further insult to injury.
The controversy with the ground zero mosque however has almost nothing to do with 9/11 and has more to do with the fact that fundamentalist Christianity doesn’t want competition and have decided to use the 9/11 tragedy as an excuse to hate on Arabs (not necessarily Muslims) and to prevent their largest competitor (Islam) from entering the market place of ideas. The fact is that there is no more evidence to support Christianity than there is to support Islam. Both are equally ridiculous and extremely dangerous.
Not all Muslims are the same just as not all Christians are the same. The vast majority of American Muslims don’t support the fundamentalist fringe of their religion however we cannot say the same about Christianity in America. Almost half of all Christians in America identify with many of the most radical positions of fundamentalist Christianity.
Those building the ground zero mosque have nothing to do with Al Qaeda (although the funding of the mosque is in question). There are almost certainly many churches within the two block radius of ground zero and so if we are to make that area sacred American ground, then we shouldn’t allow any religions to use such hallowed ground to take advantage of the 9/11 grief.
If Republicans want to make it illegal for the mosque to be built near ground zero, then they should also make it illegal for any religious building to be in that same radius. The wisdom of building any such monuments to ignorance, hate, and ridiculous mythologies should be questioned across the board. How is a mosque near ground zero any different then a church or a temple near ground zero? A turd by any other name smells the same.
If you enjoy this article, please consider sharing the link and subscribing to the Philly Atheist Examiner column using the ”Subscribe” button above so that you can be notified about new articles.
Atheism 101 Articles:
Atheism 101: What is the difference between atheism and agnosticism?
Atheism 101: Why do atheists care about religion?
Atheism 101: What does atheism have to offer?
Atheism 101: Is there moral grounding without God?
Atheism 101: What happens when we die?
Atheism 101: The Purpose of Life
Atheism 101: The Nature of Good and Evil
Atheism 101: The Problem of Evil
Atheism 101: How atheist parenting differ from religious parenting
Atheism 101: Is the Bible the inspired word of God?
Atheism 101: The anti-intellectualism of religion
Atheism 101: Why has Christianity demonized nudity, sex and sexuality?
Atheism 101: How to respond to the lord, liar, lunatic argument?
Atheism 101: Does it take more faith to be an atheist?
Atheism 101: Is atheism a religion?
Atheism 101: What came before the Universe?
Atheism 101: How to respond to the ex-atheist
Atheism 101: Refuting Pascal’s Wager
Atheism 101: The “No True Scotsman” Fallacy
Atheism 101: Refuting Presupposition Theology
Atheism 101: Refuting Dispensational Theology
On Faith Series:
On Faith: Traveling in search of transcendence
On Faith: Can Anne Rice leave Christianity in the name of Christ?
On Faith: Interfaith marriages secularize religion
On Faith: The Ground Zero Mosque
On Faith: Re-evaluating the Afghanistan War
On Faith: The morality of tweeting the death penalty
On Faith: Do animals have souls and rights?
On Faith: Religion and the oil spill
On Faith: Sarah Palin’s feminism, faith, and abortion
On Faith: National day of prayer and masturbation
On Faith: Can religion handle sex?
On Faith: Is the media biased against the Catholic Church?
On Faith: Is the Pope above the law?
On Faith: What is heaven like?
On Faith: Disbelief in the pulpit
On Faith: Catholic Church’s attempt to blackmail Washington fails
On Faith: Is proselytizing overseas religious freedom or coercion?
On Faith: Should religion have a role be in U.S. foreign affairs?
On Faith: Should the president be a religious figure?
On Faith: Does God allow Haiti to suffer?
On Faith: Media biased against Christians?
On Faith: Free speech vs. God
On Faith: Religion’s Impact 2009
On Faith: Climate change a moral issue?
On Faith: Good News -- Oral Roberts is dead
On Faith: Just war or holy war in Afghanistan?
On Faith: A crèche in the White House?
On Faith: Swiss ban on Islamic minarets
On Faith: holidays or holy days?
Comments
It's just like any new start up in the world of business, especially if their worldwide appeal is almost twice what yours is, you do not want them competing for your dollars. I think the Muslims ought to take the high ground here and find another location to build their mosque, because it inevitably will be burnt down anyway by god fearing Christians. They do after all along with corporate America own this country.
I've got to say, I'm with you on this one Stephen. If the mosque can't be built there, then no other places of worship should be allowed.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!