Who would have thought that the decision to build a mosque in Manhattan, a block or so from the World Trade Center site, would take on a national political spotlight. But, as we know, none other than Sarah Palin has twittered her opposition, and created a word of her own in the midst of the tirade. Now, I really don't care about Palin's use of the word "refudiate." The accurate word would be "repudiate," but that's the least of our problems. It's easy to ridicule Palin, but all that seems to do is endear her more to people across the country -- the ones Palin calls "real Americans." "Real Americans" are, as you know, Christians. More specifically conservative ones -- the ones that Richard Dawkins has determined are to be considered real Christians as well.
Newt Gingrich chimes in by saying that there should be no mosques near ground zero as long as there aren't churches and synagogues in Saudi Arabia.
There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia. The time for double standards that allow Islamists to behave aggressively toward us while they demand our weakness and submission is over.
My question is -- when did a theocratic/autocratic country set standards for the United States. I thought that this was a free country, where we are free to practice our faith as we please. Would Sarah and Newt think it okay for a church on that site? If so, then how can you discriminate against Muslims who wish to have a place to worship in Manhattan?
Now, I'm not naive -- there are terrorists out there who are Muslim. There are also Muslims who dream of a world empire. But there are Christians with the same dreams and attitudes. But, anti-Islamic rants and policies will do little to bring down the tensions or promote peace. They do little to enhance the American reputation as a place of freedom and opportunity.
Of course, these are politicians and they are appealing to people who have been lead to believe that a Muslim horde is about to descend. Demagoguery of right and left has always worked well, especially when it has played on religious fears. Remember 1960 and the fear that Jack Kennedy would get his marching orders from the Pope? Now, there is a play on the fears that seem to infect a near majority within the Republican Party that the current President is a secret Muslim. Plant the fears now and you don't have to be overt with attacks later when you're a candidate.
But, according to Newt, the Islamists are bent on taking over, and thus destroying our society. Consider this:
It is unfortunate that we are at this place in time. But, with the nation at war in two Muslim countries and provocative behavior coming out of several others, you can see how this is problematic politically. But, I'm not a politician, I'm a pastor and a theologian. My greatest concern is that we are failing in our call to love our neighbor. So, can't we stop the rants?! I say now is the time for Americans to recognize the genius of the nation and embrace the freedoms placed in the Constitution that protect religious expression.America is experiencing an Islamist cultural-political offensive designed to undermine and destroy our civilization. Sadly, too many of our elites are the willing apologists for those who would destroy them if they could.
