Posted on 07/30/2010 8:12:54 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When I first began reading about the controversy surrounding a proposed Mosque being built near Ground Zero in New York City, I was completely mystified: We live in America! In 2010! Are we seriously debating whether a mainstream religion should have the right to build a house of worship?
I was even more bewildered when I read that 52 percent of New Yorkers were opposed to the construction of the Mosque, with 31 percent in favor and 17 percent undecided. Filled with moral outrage, I posted an angry Facebook status with a link to an article about conservative politicians capitalizing on the bigotry.
Almost immediately, though, I began to question my indignation. Having lived in New York for about three months now, I can attest to the fact that it's among the most tolerant places in the world. On any given subway car, you'll find more economic, racial, religious and political diversity than most college campuses. The 8 million people who live in New York 's five boroughs are not generally a bigoted bunch – so why were they showing such contempt for Muslims?
There's no simple answer, of course, and that may not even be a fair question. Some New Yorkers are clearly just motivated by blind prejudice and hatred. Some are worried about zoning laws. And still some have formed their opinions based on centuries-old religious struggles. (The same poll found that 66 percent of Jews in New York opposed the Mosque.)
But all of them – at least those who have lived in New York over the past decade – have one thing in common: they watched as the twin towers fell only miles from their homes.
And so I tread carefully here. As someone who watched 9/11 unfold on CNN, safe in my suburban Massachusetts home, I cannot relate to the people who lost family members, friends and co-workers in those towers, the people whose minds filled with fear for months every time they boarded a bus or entered a crowded office building.
But as a Mormon, I can't accept that religious persecution is justified by an isolated group of people who severely misinterpret their faith. Very little compares in scope to the 9/11 terror attacks, but every religious group contains members who use their beliefs as an excuse to commit atrocities. Should Protestant churches be banned from places where the KKK has committed murder? Should Latter-day Saints be forbidden from building chapels on blocks where crazed fundamentalists have committed child abuse?
Much was made last week of Sarah Palin's Tweet on this subject: "Peace-seeking Muslims, pls understand, Ground Zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts. Pls reject it in interest of healing."
And I can see her critics' points. For one thing, Palin must know by now that whenever she makes a comment (even on a local zoning issue) she further incites the type of inflammatory partisan debate that has gridlocked Congress. For another, it seems unreasonable that she wants "peace-seeking Muslims" to distinguish themselves from terrorists while so many of us seem unwilling to distinguish a Mosque from a terrorist boot camp.
But on at least one count, I think Palin has it right. If anyone is going to decide not to build a Mosque near Ground Zero, it should be Muslims. Again, as a Mormon, I would be infuriated if a government prohibited my church from building a chapel because of a few violent, misguided Latter-day Saints, but if church leaders decided for themselves that it was unnecessary to incite the anger of so many, I would stand behind their judgment.
I understand that New Yorkers have more reasons than most to be anxious, scared or angry. But I also believe that all people should be allowed to worship "how, where, or what they may."
And so, I believe, did the founding fathers.
********
McKay Coppins is a journalism major at BYU. His weekly blog chronicles the Mormon twenty-something experience. McKay's column, "Mormon Twentysomething," appears Fridays on MormonTimes.com.
E-mail: mcoppins@desnews.com
That is exactly right. As much as I prefer for them not to build it, this is America. At least I think it is; it’s so hard to tell lately.
Welcome to FR
McKay Coppins is a writer and journalist living in New York City with his wife Annie. He is currently an intern at Newsweek, contributing to the magazine’s website and various blogs. He also writes a weekly religion column for Salt Lake City’s Deseret News and sister site MormonTimes.com. He will soon graduate with a degree in print journalism from Brigham Young University, where he was editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper The Daily Universe for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Cool! I'm building a combination Anthrax-lab, Nuclear Device Research Crack House Bordello there!
If muslims blew up the SLC temple and then demanded the right to build a mosque on the site, would you be in favor of it?
I guess those are really choices for instance:
insightful, yea I have insight to what a moron you are:
inspirational, yep I am inspired to work harder to stop these islamic fascists;
informative, it sure is. I have read several articles on Mormon Times about the partnering of lds with muslims, this just reinforces that.
Shilling for the killers? Do you know who the people behind this are?
NY might not care but the rest of the US does.
And we don’t want them there. It’s another inch.
If I were a NYer, I would be embarrassed to say so if they let this kick in our faces happen.
Next you’ll be saying we should adopt Mexico’s immigration laws.
Well then I’m sure the mormons will welcome a mosque in Temple Square...
Stupid is as stupid does.
“”But I also believe that all people should be allowed to worship “how, where, or what they may.””
WHERE is the answer....Preferably not in our country. I guess he doesn’t know that the Imam of that mosque has a wife who said that A PLANE crashed into a building in that area. No kidding, you freak!
Are they going to be tolerant of other religions? Nope!
Seems he left liberal MA for liberal NY. He needs to get out more!
That is their plan. All financed and paid for by the Saudis through the Muslim Brotherhood.
Uh, there is no such thing as private property. This property needs to remain on the tax rolls and the zoning should prohibit seditious uses.
What am I thinking?? - That would never happen.
Muzzies MAY be mainstream in 3rd world cesspits, but hardly a major factor in the 1st world - at least for now.
I would suggest this twenty-something stick his nose back into the books and leave politics alone - that hasn't worked out at all well for mormons since back in the day.
Mexico’s immigration laws would be an improvement. They enforce theirs, or in the words of El President de la Mexico: “We send back them”.
No, it is a college student who is studying journalism. About par for the course.
I suggest McKay go on a missions trip to KSA. Be sure to bring along plenty of Bibles, copies of Mormon tracts, etc. I’m certain he would be met with open arms. /sarc
“”I wonder if he would change his tune if fanatical Muzzies flew a large airplane into the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City and then wanted to build a mosque next to Temple Square.””
Excellent.....
I just read the profile someone posted and it all makes sense. he will be perfect for the liberal press.
Newsweek’s McKay Coppins is saying that if Utah ends up electing a Democrat, you can “thank the Tea Party.”
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