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President Obama Supports New York Mosque, Cites US Religious Freedom And Tolerance

08/13/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
Why is it that the two most vocal supporters for a new mosque in New York are Jewish- specifically Daily Show host Jon Stewart and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg?  Today, President Barack Obama- who is Christian despite all the attempts to paint him as a ‘secret Muslim’, also supported the building of the mosque.  He stated “As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country.  That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.  This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable.”

Much of the attacks on the mosque, dubbed the “Ground Zero Mosque”, stem from a desire by those on the Right to try and fuel popular outrage and to gain power from stirring up Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred.  They have dragged into the light many of the stereotypes that have existed in Western culture to some level since the Muslim invasions of Europe in the last millennium.

Many people from half-term Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich have chosen to go against both the property rights assured by the Constitution and the religious freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment in order to attack the building of a mosque not far from the site of the World Trade Center attacks.  President Obama made the announcement at a dinner commencing the ending of fasting associated with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Obama insisted that it was only right to allow the building of this mosque at this site because it honored the traditions inherent in the American system.  He stated “Our capacity to show not merely tolerance, but respect towards those who are different from us – and that way of life, that quintessentially American creed, stands in stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us on that September morning, and who continue to plot against us today.”

Obama also brought up that, at one time in this nation’s history, the building of synagogues and Catholic churches was met with heavy opposition.  Indeed, at one time in America’s past, only those who belonged to the Anglican faith were given any religious civil rights.  That changed with the adoption of the First Amendment provisions regarding freedom of and freedom from religion.  He stated “But time and again, the American people have demonstrated that we can work through these issues, and stay true to our core values and emerge stronger for it.  So it must be and will be today.

New York Representative Peter King, who has opposed homosexuality being recognized as well, went on to attack Obama for his statements.  He said “President Obama is wrong.  It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero. While the Muslim community has the right to build the mosque they are abusing that right by needlessly offending so many people who have suffered so much.”  Of course, King chooses to forget the numbers of American Muslims who perished in the 9/11 attacks.  Indeed, he forgets that they died along with their Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan and other sisters and brothers on that day.

What is lost on the opponents of this mosque is the fact that allowing it to go forward and respecting the Muslims who are behind it is the best way to diminish Islamic extremism and to dampen and reduce terrorism.  Instead, Conservatives and bigots wish to do everything they can to stop this Muslim Community Center in order to gain from the hysteria.  Of course, these are the same people who often use religion to excuse their bigotry against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transpeople.

All prejudice and all bigotry has the same roots.  It does not matter if it is racism, sexism, homophobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia, transphobia.  It is all the same.

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