How Love Can Conquer Hatred In NYC
I supposed this fairly political since it seems that the two different parties have weighed in on two different sides of the Mosque being built on the Ground Zero site, but I want to speak of this in generally non-political terms. I have heard people like Sarah Palin and other conservatives argue that building a Mosque at Ground Zero is either disrespectful and/or hurtful to the victims of the terrorist attack or a sign to our enemies (which is a vague word) that they won.
These arguments presuppose some things and are looking at the issue on a very basic level. What I would ask people to do is put that way of thinking to the side for one second and consider the alternative. I believe the plans to build a Mosque on Ground Zero are doing so for a couple reasons. It is powerfully symbolic to build the religious building of the terrorist's supposed faith in the place they attacked. By doing so, the United States is saying something along the lines of: "You attacked us and wounded us, but we still prove that we are a morally superior nation by still accepting and embracing the religion you claim to own." It also shows that we as a country really do believe and uphold in religious freedom no matter what. There is something deeper and very Ghandi-like about building a Mosque on the grounds of 9/11. Above everything else, he lived a life that proved that love and non-violence could overcome hatred and ugliness. I think he would be pleased to see the United States build something like that out of kindness and goodwill. It's like saying you can do your worst to us, but we will return the favor with love and peace. Those are two things that can't ever truly be taken away from you, no matter how hard someone tries.
So what I really want to say is, don't give in to the initial temptation that building a Mosque on Ground Zero is giving any ground to our enemies. It isn't, if you really think about it. It's really the ultimate form of defiance. We're showing how futile it is to use violence against us and that we are a morally superior. And that is why I support the building of the Mosque on Ground Zero.
These arguments presuppose some things and are looking at the issue on a very basic level. What I would ask people to do is put that way of thinking to the side for one second and consider the alternative. I believe the plans to build a Mosque on Ground Zero are doing so for a couple reasons. It is powerfully symbolic to build the religious building of the terrorist's supposed faith in the place they attacked. By doing so, the United States is saying something along the lines of: "You attacked us and wounded us, but we still prove that we are a morally superior nation by still accepting and embracing the religion you claim to own." It also shows that we as a country really do believe and uphold in religious freedom no matter what. There is something deeper and very Ghandi-like about building a Mosque on the grounds of 9/11. Above everything else, he lived a life that proved that love and non-violence could overcome hatred and ugliness. I think he would be pleased to see the United States build something like that out of kindness and goodwill. It's like saying you can do your worst to us, but we will return the favor with love and peace. Those are two things that can't ever truly be taken away from you, no matter how hard someone tries.
So what I really want to say is, don't give in to the initial temptation that building a Mosque on Ground Zero is giving any ground to our enemies. It isn't, if you really think about it. It's really the ultimate form of defiance. We're showing how futile it is to use violence against us and that we are a morally superior. And that is why I support the building of the Mosque on Ground Zero.