There is a great deal of controversy surrounding what may become of an old building situated five blocks from Ground Zero that was once home to a nationally recognized coat store. The so-called 'mosque' that is set to occupy the building will actually be an Islamic cultural center. Regardless, I am in full support of it. Yes, I am a native New Yorker. 9/11 is a day I will never forget. No, I am not a Muslim, I consider myself to be a Christian. As a Christian, I'm amazed at the opinions and thoughts of the many who oppose the building of a 'mosque' near the WTC. Such thoughts seem to be deeply rooted in bigotry, hatred, racism and intolerance. Prior to 9/11 there was a prayer room located within the WTC for the many Muslims who worked and visited the iconic buildings. The 'Islamophia' that is sweeping the country reminds me of the 'AIDSphobia' that surfaced in the 1980's, American homosexuals were ostracized and condemned. Nearly, 30 years later, American Muslims are facing similar treatment. Has America failed to learn from past mistakes? How is it that so many people are ready to condemn an entire religious group based on the actions of a few wayward, confused, misguided and delusional individuals. So-called Christians have committed some of the most heinous crimes in the history of this country. Yet, no one has condemned Christianity or viciously opposed the construction of a Christian house of worship. Timothy McVeigh, the OKC bomber, was a man by his own admission who maintained the core beliefs of Catholicism. Clearly, he was just as confused about religion as the men responsible for 9/11. With that said, would there be as much opposition if a Catholic church were to be built by the site of the federal building in Oklahoma City?
As activist and filmmaker Michael Moore stated in his essay, If the 'Mosque' Isn't Built, This Is No Longer America, " there is a McDonald's two blocks from Ground Zero. Trust me, McDonald's has killed far more people than the terrorists."
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