Mosquing The Truth

The latest debate that dominates the talking head airwaves is about a group that wants to create an Islamic Community Center in an abandoned clothing store 2 blocks from the site of the World Trade Center. While no one is disputing that this group has a right to locate there, comments are raging from "how insensitive" to "this is an in your face move." I won't even get into some of the other comments that some people are ranting on about.

Aside form the generalization assuming that all Muslims are terrorists underlying this argument, this just smacks of the xenophobia, that in my opinion only fuels extremists in the first place. Muslims were also killed as a result of the 9-11 attacks along with Christians, and Jews, and Atheists. So to say this is an us against them scenario is a non-starter. Also, one of the great things about this nation is from our foundation, there was an emphasis on religious pluralism, that is embedded in the First Amendment. That the people who are a part of this nation, naturalized or natural born have the right to worship, whom they want, where they want, and when they want, and not have to forcibly conform to a religion prescribed by the state. Even those who argue this is "insensitive" or "in your face will grant that these two statements are true. So when I hear the arguments, still I find it hard to find a compelling one for not allowing a cultural center there other than an assumption based on fear and mistrust that assumes all Muslims are terrorists.

Now I of course am a Christian, and as such I speak from that perspective, of Jesus who welcomed the stranger, ate with so called sinners, embraced and healed the lepers, and called us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

As a United Methodist I endorse wholeheartedly our belief form our Social Principles which state: Religious persecution has been common in the history of civilization. We urge policies and practices that ensure the right of every religious group to exercise its faith free from legal, political, or economic restrictions. We condemn all overt and covert forms of religious intolerance, being especially sensitive to their expression in media stereotyping. We assert the right of all religions and their adherents to freedom from legal, economic, and social discrimination.

Let us rise above this attitude of fear and instead embrace an attitude of dialogue, that while we may not subscribe to their beliefs, at least allows us to gain a respect and understanding of them. Is that not the model Jesus gave to us?