Marsel Gray | Staff Writer
Muslims are facing discrimination as they make efforts to build mosques, but why? Doesn’t the first amendment protect “establishment of religion” and “the free exercise thereof?”
Apparently not in the state of Tennessee, because that is where Muslims are attempting to build mosques and facing resistance — and then there is the proposed mosque near the former site of the World Trade Center.
Now, it’s understandable. I know exactly why many Americans have such animosity toward Muslims. The attacks on September 11, Osama bin laden, Al Qaeda, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, the Quran and hijackers are all images that stir negative emotions in people because all are tied to a notion of fear and hatred. And all are in some way related to the Islamic faith.
However, many of these are extremes and in any religion, extremists are dangerous. Rosie O’Donnel was right when she said, “radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam.” Don’t misunderstand me; I have nothing against Christians or Muslims. I don’t care if you worship God, Allah or gorilla butts. This is about an agenda. It’s about showing the stupidity of people.
We all know the attacks on the World Trade Center were crafted by extremists. These extremists’ ideologies are no different than the American Front, the Council of Conservative Citizens, the National Socialist Movement and Westboro Baptist Church in that they believe they are right and are willing to go through extreme (hence part of the name) actions to prove they are right.
Some of the people opposing the movement are citing scripture in the Quran which states to destroy non-believers. Take this verse for example, “He that sacrificeth unto any God he shall be utterly destroyed.”
Clearly, this verse is telling the members of that faith to slay non-believers. But actually, that passage is from Exodus 22:20, which raises the question of whether or not Christians and Jews should be telling Muslims what to do and not do.
Even worse, as reported by the Tennessean, Karen Johnson, a member of the Metro Nashville School Board, is leading the opposition against the mosques right here in the state.
Why is this woman even in league with the school board? Schools are supposed to be foundations that help to teach against discrimination. Why is she allowed to even be around children?
We all remember history lessons on the prejudice against Jews in the 1930s in Nazi Germany as well as African Americans throughout a majority of American history.
Someone needs to remind Johnson that history doesn’t judge kindly on those who instruct hatred. In addition, she should be fired due to the fact she doesn’t need to be involved in education.
Now, let’s address the other major mosque proposal — the one near the site of ground zero. Why are people so opposed to this? I mean, really. Give a solid reason why it is such a big deal.
Yes, I remember it would be built near ground zero, but so is St. Paul’s Chapel Church. And in America we have this thing called the freedom of religion. But wait. It isn’t even a mosque that’s being proposed. It’s an Islamic Culture Center. A building wasn’t even that important before. It was a clothing store. People, get a grip.
Now, I’d like to point something out. You know those old vacant lots on that one street? The one where a business had to shut down and lay off workers and then through snowball of cause and effect send our global economy into a recession?
Well, creating new buildings, thus hiring workers, architects, plumbers and electricians creates more jobs — maybe that’s something to think about.
And what sort of message is this sending to the rest of the world? We invade other nations to bring democracy yet we can’t be democratic about a building? I thought we were supposed to be practicing understanding and acceptance, not just preaching it.
If Muslims want to build mosques in their communities, there should be no issue. Last time I checked, you don’t see Muslims protesting the building of new churches and synagogues. TAS
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