We've all heard a lot about the ongoing debate for the proposed Mosque, two blocks from Ground Zero. Well, today the president weighed in on the issue, and his response has not been well received by many Americans.
I typically bite my tongue until it bleeds on such matters, because it's just not worth getting in to. As I type this blog, however, I am still literally vibrating with pent up emotion and distress over the attitude of so many of my fellow Americans. And, for me, it's even more upsetting when those close to me seem so full of hatred for a group of people they know nothing about.
This evening one of my Facebook friends posted a link to this article about President Obama favoring the proposed Mosque. My friend's comment on the article was, "The absolute worst human being, if you can even call him that, to be elected President!"
What follows is my response to the uninformed animosity being spewed around this country...
I disagree that the president is the worst human being to be elected to that office. He's only doing his job, which is to uphold our constitution, and the last time I checked, it still allows for freedom of religion in this country. The people that want to build a Muslim community center are not the same people who attacked the World Trade Centers. How would any of you, who claim to be Christians, like it if some crazy fanatical Christian group started going around killing or bombing people in the name of God, quoting scripture to uphold their views, and then everyone thought you were just another one of those murdering Christians and wanted nothing to do with you. Or worse - they wanted to kill you because you must be evil. After all, you subscribe to the same religious beliefs!
You can dislike the president - every one is certainly entitled to their opinion. I'm just hoping that the people I know are trying to keep an open mind and an open heart about such world matters. Anger begets more anger, and will never give us any hope of a peaceful future.
In reality, there is already a Mosque near Ground Zero - it's been there even longer than the World Trade Centers. The entire area is rich with Islamic influence, so to them, a community center just makes sense.
This is 2010, people!!! When will this country grow up? Native Americans, African Americans, Japanese Americans, and now Muslim Americans. Why have we at some time or another decided that it was ever right to discriminate against any of these people.
For the Christians in my life who claim to love God so much, I challenge you to read Matthew 25:40 which says "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Is this the way Christians would treat Christ (who, in all probability would be clothed and have coloring similar to the very people currently being discriminated against) if he stepped off a plane at JFK tomorrow?
What about John 8:7 - "...He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.."?
I challenge the Christians who are getting up on their high horses to take just a minute to really examine his or her own life before they continue to look down their noses at any other human being! What gives any of us the right to sit in judgement of any other?
Just something to think about...
2 comments:
Thank you, Andrea, for your bravery. I remember a saying uttered by my mother many times, "Fools names and fools faces are always seen in public places." This is what usually keeps me from speaking in that I may not have enough information so my words are fact rather than opinion. Most words in public places now days are OPINION, a fact we want to forget so it supports our own opinions.
Another wonder I have is how can so many people forget high school civics class that taught us about our democratic republic. I heard a FOX newscaster identify our form of government incorrectly. All this to say, I, too, am very disappointed in a lot of people voicing such idiotic mumblings.
I will say what was strongly on my mind just Thursday. I have allergies that seriously effect even my ability to function at times. I went to Wal Mart to get Sudafed. I wanted the 4 hour type and a 24 hour type. At the pharmacy counter where identification must be shown for this medication because of "drug abusers," I was allowed to purchase only one. I got mad. If someone wants to abuse this medication, they will find a way. This requirement does nothing to stop a person with a criminal intent. I was being treated as a criminal. Where was my freedom? It was gone due to Republican legistation.
I saw a posting on Facebook about enrolling a student into Kindergarten, having to fill out eleven pages of information, consent. Dad was not happy. I did not have the courage then to say it is due to the Republicans, including the Patriot Act.
As I was recently watching a three hour program about Thomas Jefferson and the beginnings of our still young country, I was wishing each of us had a copy of our Declaration of Independence. Each time I get a review of history, I am reminded of humble beginnings and
VERY intelligent people who had left oppression in search of the hope of "Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness."
P.S. Many of us have been born between the borders of the United States of America so citizens but most of us are not "Native" Americans.
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