I do not know whether or not the comparison is apt. The suffering of the victims and families of child molestation may not compare with those of 9/11, but some claim the suffering is equal. The point, however, is that if we prohibit religious buildings because of the dastardly acts of some members of that religion, then no religious building could ever be erected.
I certainly recognize and respect the opposition to the Cordoba Center at that particular site at this particular time, but we must distinguish between the right to protest and the right to prohibit. Both sides in this dispute point to the symbolism of this structure at Ground Zero (although, in truth, it appears to be near, rather than at Ground Zero). In my mind, that issue should be resolved by asking what the decision says about our nation.
Denying the structure says that we value anger and revenge and wish to punish the whole for the acts of a few. Allowing it says that we value our commitment to religious freedom and that we do not condemn an entire religion for the acts of some of its members. Denial demeans us. Permission distinguishes us.
I'm kind of amazed at some of the people going along with it and changing their own purported or time honored reputations. None more so than the ADL. That one really shocked me.
Because wasn't the ultimate goal of the 9/11 m@rderers to undo our American way of life? And isn't that why we determined to put up another tall building in the exact same spot as almost a (pardon the expression) "one fingered salute" to tell them that they would allow no such thing? And letting this mosque be build is just one more squared shoulder. Us being more "us" than ever just to show them. For the xenophobes and the bigots - I would think that they'd celebrate that.
It would speak to our guts and our decency to not allow that horrible event to cause us to turn around and punish the innocent members of a faith as though we were as insular and oppressive as Al Qaeda. It shows, in no uncertain terms, that we beat them. Or to borrow the phrase of one of the more ignorant opponents, Sarah Palin, "They lose - we win".
This is America. I'm proud of it. For being who we are. History has time and again presented us with every reason to abandon our basic principles. 9/11 is a particularly horrifying example - but it's really not different at its core. That's when you determine more than ever to hang on to your principles and your foundation. You want it more. You demand it more.
Tearing down St. Patrick's Cathedral because of the millions of children molested over hundreds of years by the Catholic church is a great idea.
I apologize for hijacking your point and I certainly agree that the mosque has every right to be there. But your post reminded me that the abuses of children by priests is institutionalized in the Catholic church and so it would be a good thing to eliminate a place where children are set up for abuse.
In your last paragraph you say "Denying the structure says that we value anger and revenge",etc. I am sorry to say there is a large segment of the population that certainly does appear to value anger and revenge over any rights to religious freedom. Anger and revenge *are* rights to some and it's both a mask and an overplayed card.
Bravo.
Once again, you are the voice of reason and wisdom. I always look forward to your posts.