Ground Zero Mosque Opposition Ignores the American Heritage of Religious Freedom.

One of the best ways of demonstrating that the frantic slavering over "Ground Zero mosques" is nothing but a ridiculous display of pearl-clutchery is to point out that the proposed Cordoba House would actually be the second mosque in the vicinity of "Ground Zero." But over at Salon, Justin Elliott does me one better by unearthing this 2007 Washington Times article:

Navy imam Chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam lifted his voice to God as he called to prayer more than 100 Department of Defense employees Monday at a celebration of Ramadan at the Pentagon. God is most great, sang the lieutenant commander and Islamic leader, in Arabic, as iftar -- the end of the daily fast began. Uniformed military personnel, civilians and family members faced Mecca and knelt on adorned prayer rugs chanting their prayers in quiet invocation to Allah. Yes, Muslims have infiltrated the Pentagon for their nefarious, prayerful purposes -- daring to practice their religion inside the building where 184 people died on Sept. 11, 2001. These Muslims at the Pentagon probably even have security clearances! (Because they are Department of Defense employees who protect America from al Qaeda death cultists).

TPJ: Why didn't anyone protest the "Pentagon mosque?" So, if the Pentagon, (America's defense department headquarters) doesn't see a hidden agenda or threat from the average, American Muslim then I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of Muslims here in America are loyal Americans. Did anyone hear the Pentagon come out an oppose this "Ground Zero Mosque?" Did the FBI, CIA or NSA warn us that the people behind this mosque were potential terrorists? No, and no. So, given all of that I think it's clear that most who oppose this mosque are (again) hiding behind the flag to spew their intolerance, xenophobia, bigotry and ignorance all over innocent, American, Muslims.

If they really want to prevent terrorism then they should be embracing this mosque. The leaders of which seek to have interfaith dialogues at their mosque and cultural center to see how to defuse radical Islam. We should be working with them and not against them. We should be embracing such opportunities to further integrate moderate Muslims into American culture--not push them away.

If American Muslims feel that no matter how American and moderate they are in their Islamic beliefs that the rest of America will never accept them then those feelings lead to resentment. That leads to anger from not being accepted and increases the chances that they'll be more willing to listen to radical Muslims. By blindly hating all Muslims, these Americans opposing the "Ground Zero Mosque" are ironically pushing them closer toward the terrorists than pushing them toward assimilating into American culture!! Their sectarian intolerance is actually exactly what I'm sure the terrorists want us to do!! They want us to hate Muslims so we push all moderate Muslims into the hands of Osama bin Laden and his ilk.

A new study by Duke and North Carolina universities found that, "the creation of robust Muslim-American communities may serve as a preventative measure against radicalization by reducing social isolation of individuals who may be at risk of becoming radicalized." And, "It asserts that "the stronger such communities are, in terms of social networks, educational programs, and provision of social services, the more likely they are to identify individuals who are prone to radicalization and intervene appropriately."

TPJ: We don't need a study, however, to tell us that if we want to win over a group of people we certainly shouldn't go about it by insulting them. Or at least we shouldn't need such a study if we were raised right by our parents. Unfortunately there is one group that should be on the side of religious freedom and against intolerance; but they oppose this "Ground Zero mosque."

The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a human rights organization devoted to fighting anti-Semitism, has been accused of hypocrisy for joining the ADL in opposing the Ground Zero mosque, while funding the construction of a "Museum of Tolerance" on top of Palestinian grave sites. Rabbi Meyer May, the center's executive director, told Crain's New York that building a mosque near the site of the 9/11 attacks was "insensitive" to the people still dealing with the wounds of that tragedy. “Religious freedom does not mean being insensitive...or an idiot,” May said. “Religion is supposed to be beautiful ... Why create pain in the name of religion?” Critics say Meyer should be asking himself the same question. The Wiesenthal Center has provoked outrage by funding the construction of one of its Museums of Tolerance on top of 12th-century Palestinian graves in Jerusalem.

TPJ: The Rabbi seems too blinded by hate to remember that many (non-terrorist) Muslims died on 9/11 as well. So, using his logic the families of those dead Muslims on 9/11 should be opposing this mosque too. However, I highly, highly doubt that they are opposing it.

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