Should Mosque at 9/11 Site Be Denied Because It Offends Us?

Are Muslims our enemies?do with religion.
Most Americans believe eitherThen there is the American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU), a national organization advocating for
1. The United States is a Christian nation orindividual rights. Good in theory. But at times the
2. The country and the U.S. Constitution is based onACLU crosses the line to protecting people from
Christian principles.being offended. The ACLU has been strangely silent
And as a result of the World Trade Center tragedyon the issue of the Moslem community center at the
on September 11, 2001, many U.S. citizens believeWorld Trade Center site. Many Christians are insulted
that Muslims are our enemies. And many whoby that particular mosque.
practice the Islam religion and follow the radical,On a side note, there's that kooky Christian pastor
violent teaching of the Quran and Sharia Law, arewho wants to burn Korans on 9/11. I find him
also our enemies. Most terrorists around the worldoffensive.
are Islamic. Americans want to protect themselvesWhat are the Constitutional rights?
from another terrorist attack.So the question is: Do we have a right to protection
Now a Moslem group is planning to build a mosquefrom being offended? The Constitution of the United
near the World Trade Center site.States gives us the rights of the life, liberty and the
What should Americans think?pursuit of happiness. Life happens. People are
What's the main argument against the mosque?sometimes mean. But it's not a crime if the behavior
The main argument against the building of thedoes not harm someone. Offense is not the same as
mosque / Muslim community center is that it isharm. There are lots of actions and words that I
offensive. One poll says that 70% of Americansdon't agree with. Disagreement is not the same as
were offended by the mosque. Of course, anyoffense. Everyone living in America whether they are
rational person knows that a mosque in and of itselfcitizens or not, has the right to practice religion. But
is not offensive. But the building of it near the site ofremoving prayer from schools and other decisions
the destroyed World Trade Center towers is what isand laws are to protect people from offense.
offensive to some people. They feel it dishonorIs diversity good?
those who died in the 9/11 attacks. Other people areThe United States is supposed to be a melting pot
offended by things like Glenn Beck's rally at thewhich embraces diversity. Much of what people feel
Lincoln Memorial - on the anniversary of and at theoffended by is really an aversion to differences and
site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's historic "I have adiversity. Companies are learning that workforce
dream" speech in 1963.diversity can be a competitive edge. Diversity is good
Is Christianity under attack?business and can translate into increased profits. The
It is now politically and probably legally incorrect towise corporate executive doesn't just surround
say "Merry Christmas". Companies no longer havehimself with yes men and women who look like, think
Christmas parties. It's Holiday Party or Year Endlike and always agree with that executive. It's
Celebration. Why? It might offend someone. I havedangerous to go through life with blinders on. Those
both Jewish and Muslim friends who don't mindwho focus on offense are overlooking and missing
hearing references to Christian holidays. They evenout on opportunities for learning and improving.
endure annual Christmas cards from me. Awhile backInnovation is fueled by differences of opinion and
I heard a mall was going to change the Easter Bunnydiversity. And, innovation is the new imperative for
to Spring Bunny, so people would not be offended.businesses.
Yes, Easter is a Christian religious holiday, but theIs the mosque offensive?
bunny rabbit and colored egg hunts have nothing to