Freedoms aren’t just for some of the population they are for all. I was listening to a story on NPR about Judge Walker’s decision that Prop 8 is unconstitutional. An official in a small town in southern California near the Mexican border stated that we live in a democracy (we actually live in a republic) and “that” (overturning a vote) isn’t how we do things. First of all, I don’t know who “we” is but in the U.S. “that” is exactly how we do things. Any vote of the people is open to legal and constitutional scrutiny. And…if found wanting…may be overturned. Yep, that’s how it works.
Second of all, just because a majority of people think something should be a certain way doesn’t mean that they are right i.e. slavery, child labor, denying women the right to vote (btw 90 years ago today that changed! huzzah!!)…Really, there should be some sort of civics voter test required periodically just as we have to be tested for a driver’s license. Just because someone can sign their name or read English or recite their address doesn’t mean they know shit about our system of government.
This brings me to my frustration with the uproar about the proximity of the New York community center/mosque to Ground Zero. I don’t know what to address first. Religious freedom or perspective. Let’s start putting things in perspective. Terrorists brought down the towers. They may have used religion to justify their actions or, more likely, to rev up their courage but flying into the towers was NOT a religious act it was an act of terror. An act intended to make a political statement and instill fear in the American heart.
That brings me to religious freedom. I have heard it said that if the center is allowed to be built, then “they” (the terrorists) have won. Well, I beg to differ. “They” only win if we allow the rhetoric to overshadow what is the foundation of this country. The foundation of freedom in general and religious freedom in particular. The foundation that demands a line of separation be drawn between faith and bad acts performed in the name of faith. Let’s face it, if we paint all Muslims with the brush of terrorism, then we have to paint all Christians with the brush of the Crusades. I’m pretty sure there isn’t a Christian anywhere who would go for that.
Have we all forgotten that there were Muslims, other than the terrorists, among the dead on 9/11? I wonder how their families feel to hear talk that a mosque in the community center is a slap in the face of those slain that day?
I can understand the turmoil within the hearts of the family members. I’m sure their pain is still raw and easily inflamed but the rest of us…we should know better…
Some People’s Kids: Stir the pot. Revel in the carnage.