The defeat of the Spirit of Oppression by tolerance for the planned mosque near ground zero

The controversy over whether an arguably described multi-cultural center or at least a religious mosque which would provide prayer space for Muslims should or should not be built near Ground Zero of the 9/11 attacks in lower Manhattan has shown us the worse that America can be. It also has arisen as one of the most significant victories for those who would seek to undermine the American Way by undertaking such violent activities against her citizenry. After all, the goal of terrorism is to so shock the senses of a civilized populace that the people are traumatized into acting other than they normally would; thereby compromising their principles, and perhaps effectively assimilate some of their terrorist’s proffered ideals. Notwithstanding some of our American Government’s policies which may have actually proven to be ignoble towards our people in the Middle East, the prime drive of extremists is that beliefs and principles which may be held sacred to “infidels” are intolerable and unappeasable. Were we to cave in to an onslaught on our own ideals of tolerance and diversity in a society then we would consequently incur a compromise to the prevailing side’s standard. Our defense mechanisms would have deteriorated to a mirroring of the enemy’s tactics, a measure which is symptomatic of a movement being diminished to a reactionary role by its aggravator. Once we cease to be principally responsive in conflict and rather simply reactive to the opposition’s actions we effectively accede to its assumed right by powers to infringe human rights for the sake of group ideals. Indeed, there are many examples around us of many people who have been brave and even heroic in the face of fear and of rude awakening to our mortality; however, some have indeed been seriously affected negatively, and yes made terrified. Some of us have hosted a Spirit of Oppression and now do the work of the enemy as reactive to the original offenses against us. Some are so self-demeaned that we have slept walked into practice of social and religious intolerance, the exact thing that the extremists have aspired to cultivate in the world, and claimed that an entire demographic of human beings be subject to a practice of religious prohibition because of their religious affiliation to self-proclaimed enemies of the State.

Historically, this will be remembered as a sad era; a time when America’s enemies put her on the stage for the entire world to see that why certainly we can be as fallible as our accusers would suggest that we are. But seekers of justice and equality pray in these times as inspired by Scripture “It is time for You Elohim, to work: for they have made void your law. Therefore I love your commandments above gold; yes, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all your precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:126-128. “Order my steps in your word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep your precepts.” Psalms 119: 133-134.

                President Obama’s reaffirmation of the Right to religious practice was laudable despite some saying that he should have either joined the naysayers or have said nothing. Our nation needed its leader to stand up and make sure that America’s best principles were represented before a watching world from the highest podium in a time where its people are doing as good of a job as politicians usually do in diminishing our integrity before our world neighbors. This is why the president made clear that he did not speak for the wisdom of developers to plan to build the center near ground zero but simply issued a necessary reminder to those that would tend to disallow the development; religious freedom is a fundamental right of which America has long been a staunch protector of. Regardless of the outcome of the controversy; whether the people get their center or are obstructed, a stance for the preservation of our rights and our way was required to be avowed loud and clear. For whether it is wise or not to build the center is determinable by whether or not its mission statement proposed by developers and supporters is upheld and successful. If inclusion and interfaith dialogue are progressed by the establishment of the proposed center then the endeavor must be affirmed as wise amongst those of us who are reasonable and aspire for love and justice. Yet that is an observation which must be made in the future. In this present day it behooves Christians and people who would stand for right to proliferate the love for each other which Christ teaches: “A new commandment that I give you is that you love each other as I have loved you” John 13:34.