I've been hearing a lot lately about this Islamic cultural center that is being proposed in New York. This proposed place is literally so close you could probably throw a rock from ground zero and hit it. That being the case, there are a lot of people up in arms about this thing, calling it a slap in the face to the families and friends of the people that died in the WTC attack that day.
Now, I like to think that I am a fair man. I understand that these plans were laid some time before 9/11 even happened, so it's not like this building was meant to mark some type of victory against 'the infidel'. But I have to wonder what might be going through the average Muslim's head if there were plans to big a giant Catholic church on a site where there was historically the greatest loss of Saracen life at the hands of the Templar knights. My guess is that they would feel greatly insulted by that. And I would be one of the first to agree with them! There are some things that, out of simple courtesy, ya just don't do.
It would not be difficult for the proponents of this Islamic cultural center to find another place to build. But they have dug their heels in now. Sure, they have the right to build there. Nothing illegal about the plans to build. But just because something isn't illegal doesn't mean it's nice. I think they would build a lot of good will with the community if they just switched locations. (I don't see that happening.) Barring some legal miracle, they are going to build. But they may as well design that thing to look like a giant middle finger, because that's precisely what those families are going to see every time they pass it.
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I see your point, but 9/11 was carried out by extremists who don't represent the views of the majority of that faith. Am I right?
ReplyDeleteCharles and Laura, you are both quite right. It was only a handful of lunatics that planned and executed the attacks, but that attack killed thousands of people. How many times have we heard the hatred directed at Christians over the Salem witch trials? That happened over 300 years ago and, while profoundly tragic, ended in the execution of 20 people with some 19 more dying in prison. The deaths of a maximum of 39 people still causing such a deep hatred over 300 years later only accentuates my point. I'm not saying that the families of the victims now hate all Muslims. That would be stupid. But they are not going to think 'good thoughts' when they see this building so close to the site of a loved one's murder dedicated to the religion of the freaks that committed it. That is where the line is being crossed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Laura, what you said about the ugliness being brought out by this whole thing is what I am most afraid of. At best this building will only drive a wedge between people in the community. At worst...