We honor the Constitution...as long as you're not Muslim

To call the issue of the proposed community center/mosque near Ground Zero a manufactured issue wouldn’t be begin to do justice to the definition of “manufactured”. There is nothing about this project that is wrong, inappropriate, or offensive. Yes, the symbolism of the 9.11 tragedy weighs heavily on our national psyche, as it should. Regardless of this reality, though, there’s no reason or excuse for demagoguing the construction of an Islamic community center and place of worship. This is especially true when you consider the reality (conveniently ignored by the haters) that there already is a mosque near 9.11- just as it has been since 1970, a few months prior to the opening of the World Trade Center.

Those who oppose the community center are certainly free to their opinion. What they are not free to do is to demagogue the issue. This is America; this country was founded by those fleeing religious persecution. Yet there are now far too many far too willing to set aside the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of religion because they hate Islam and hold it responsible for 9.11. This argument might hold water…if we could also agree to hold Christianity responsible for the murderous behavior of Scott Roeder, Paul Hill, Eric Rudolph, and Timothy McVeigh, etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

Or is it not terrorism when a Christian commits murder and uses their beliefs to justify and excuse extremism and violence?

Republicans and those who hate Islam have conflated what should be a minor local matter into an issue to speaks to an apparently flexible belief in the Constitution held by those willing to engage in all manner of intellectual and moral dishonesty. In so doing, they demean all of us who believe that the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution are not fungible. Freedom of religion cannot be granted when convenient and withdrawn when it suits the agenda and prejudices of those who use hatred to advance their self-interest. You either believe in the First Amendment or you dont. Propaganda and fear-mongering do nothing to further the stability of our democracy…though I suspect that furthering democracy is not a primary consideration. No, this is about hatred, fear, and the Right attempting to divide in order that they may conquer.

This should not even be an issue. We need not even be having this conversation. To call this project a “Ground Zero Mosque” is a red herring- dishonest, inaccurate, and designed only to inflame passions. Frankly, there’s nothing to discuss. If you believe in freedom of religion- and as an American, you must- this project must be allowed to unfold as intended. The fear-mongering needs to stop, and it needs to stop now. You either support the First Amendment or you don’t. If you don’t, why are you even living in this country?

Or do you really believe that we as White Christians have the right to determine who is worthy of enjoying the benefits of our (so-called) freedom of religion??

Oh, and before I forget…despite what the haters would have you think, not all 9.11 families oppose the community center/mosque. Some, despite their overwhelming pain and loss, can still see their way clear to recognizing that the First Amendment is immutable and not subject to interpretation. It’s people like this that should make us all proud to be Americans.

WE DESERVE BETTER.