What's Wrong with the NYC Mosque?

Poll: 7 in 10 Americans Oppose Ground Zero Mosque

The following is a response to the above article.

Please help me understand why 7 of 10 Americans don't want this building. What surprised me most was that even over 50% of Democrats are against it, so there's not a definitive party line on this issue either. Even 70% of Independents are against it.

The reasons the article states for the nea-sayers are as follows:

1) demeaning and offensive to the 9/11 victims

2) would be a "victory for those who sought and still seek to terrorize the American people."

The reason the article states for supporters include:

1) Under the watchful eye of Islamic values to promote "integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion through arts and culture."

I do not understand the nea-sayers arguments at all. Why would this be demeaning or offensive? Because the building would welcome people of a particular religion of which a few extremists killed thousands of innocent people? Yes, I do agree that that was a tragic day indeed for the U.S. and the world; however, the building is not ON the site, it is two blocks away. I don't know the exact location of which the building is to be placed. From the pictures I've seen, the buildings surrounding the World Trade Center site are no less than 20 stories tall. This proposed center will be 15 stories, so you wouldn't even be able to see it from the site. Don't worry, my fellow citizens, we will never forget; however, we must learn of and forgive our fellow man and move on.

Secondly, how would this be a victory for terrorists? Just because someone chooses to follow Islam does not make him or her a terrorist. The people who would be using the building are not the enemy. Have we forgotten there have been "Christians" who could have been/are labeled as terrorists? Ever heard of the Inquisition? How about the Salem Witch Hunts? Or a current terrorist, Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda who kidnaps children, brainwashes them and forces them to fight anyone who gets in his way? (Click here to sign a petition to get Mr. Obama to be more proactive against Joseph Kony on a world stage.) All of those were done in the name of Jesus. Have we conveniently forgotten Christianity's sordid past? Just as we Christians do not agree with these extremists' actions, so most Muslims do not agree with what the terrorists who are causing so much trouble for the U.S. have and are doing. Who can honestly say they have ever read the Qur'an? I can't say I have, but I have been told by people that are Christians who have opted to learn about Islam from a purely academic standpoint that the Qur'an promotes "compassion, generosity and respect for all" like the article states.

I think this is a very sad case similar to the Salem Witch Hunts in that nearly the entire country (70%) is petrified of something we do not understand-- Islam. Having this center would actually help to alleviate some of that ignorance by allowing the American people to understand the culture and religion that many of it's citizens elect to participate in. I would like to read the Qur'an for myself at some point. If Christians are going to win the Muslims for Jesus, how will we know how to approach them with rational arguments for our faith unless we understand why they adhere to theirs and why it is so enticing. That is why this center is in need as well. If this center could further integrate Muslims into the American society and educate them on how to be "American" when they become citizens, then fantastic! Maybe they would "learn to speak g****** English" as so eloquently mentioned in Avenue Q's wonderful song "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist." People with thick accents are horribly difficult to deal with. If they could teach English and something about American culture, I would call that goal met. Their last goal is "community cohesion." I am assuming they mean that want a place for Muslims to be able to gather together as support group of sorts for being on the misjudged and under represented side of life in the U.S. That's fair. There have been tons of such groups throughout history. Think NAACP or LULAC or NOW for people that may have been down trodden at some point. (I will not open that can of worms.) Or beyond historical facts, what about all the divorce care groups I see popping up at churches. They've formed because very conservative non-divorced people snub their noses at those that in their eyes are utter failures at marriage, or perhaps even not fulfilling the sacraments.

I realize this is a topic that needs to be and will be discussed further of many more stages than this tiny one, but I felt since I am in the minority I had better speak my peace for the education of anyone that cares to listen. Search your own soul on this one after taking in all the facts for yourself. Before you leave this page, go click that link for the Joseph Kony petition. Let's get that terrorist too!