With the controversy over the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York reaching unforeseen heights, the debate over new mosque construction has spilled across state lines and is taking root in many communities great distances from the site of the worst terror attack in American history. A recent Rasmussen poll showed that 85% of Americans are following the story and 62% oppose the mosque’s construction. Why are Americans separated by countless miles from the site of the 911 attack so emotionally dedicated to this story when most of them will never go within 100 miles of the proposed structure? What is the debate really about? Opposing a “victory mosque” near Ground Zero? Sympathy for 911 victims’ families? Freedom of religion? Or freedom from Islam?
Two communities in Tennessee are tackling that very question. Nearly 900 miles from Lower Manhattan and Ground Zero, the central focus of that debate has been thrust upon whether or not Tennesseans want mosques in their neighborhoods either. There are seemingly no strong ties to the September 11th, 2001 attack aside from a shared collective American conscience; there are no surviving families of victims who lost their lives; and their are no sacred plots of land needing to be protected. The debate is simple, and yet so unbelievably complex that it has left communities divided; familiar foes on unfamiliar sides of a First Amendment debate….
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For me, the debate surrounding the mosque at Ground Zero is a matter of common sense and common decency. The First Amendment gives all Americans the right to worship as they choose and to construct places of worship accordingly. Nestled in the power of that same Amendment is the Right to Free Speech, and I applaud all New Yorkers who are exercising that Right inopposition to the Park 51 Project. While words like “sensitivity”, “compassion”, and “sympathy” are typically reserved for arguments made from the Left, they are the only weapons at our disposal in this fight. While the all-knowing Liberal elite appear to be ignoring their typical calling cards, those who oppose the mosque’s construction have been forced to rely upon the traditional tools of the Left as their last line of defense. They understand that organizers have a Right to build at that location. They simply hope that said organizers understand that just because they have the right to build there doesn’t mean it is the right thing to do.
If the true objective of the project is the stated one – to increase inter-cultural understanding – its organizers must recognize that continuing with the project as planned only leads to the opposite end. Its divisive, its insensitive, and its shedding an unfavorable light upon a whole population of Muslims in this country that may be completely unwarranted.
Such is the case in the aforementioned communities in suburban Nashville, Tennessee. The stain of resentment, poor taste, and a complete lack of sensitivity being exercised by the Ground Zero mosque organizers has been transferred to Muslims far removed from the Empire State. Opposition to the construction of proposed mosques in communities there is equally as passionate as it is in NYC, even in spite of the lack of a similar connection to a horrific tragedy such as 911.
Two proposed mosques - one in Metro Nashville and one just south of town in Murfreesboro – have been blocked, stalled, stayed, and interfered with by any and all means necessary. Televangelist Pat Robertson of the 700 Club even weighed in on the matter this week implying that local officials could be “bribed” by Muslims. Creative zoning tricks and legal maneuvers have successfully slowed construction and will likely force the places of worship elsewhere – only passing the controversy on for the next community to oppose.
Watching these events play out and unfold, I cannot help but ask the question of why? Why is there such great opposition to the construction of a place of worship? As a proud Tennessean, I know there are but two constants in the fine state I have called home much of my life – maybe three if you count UT Football – support for the Second Amendment and protection of the First. Having traveled much of this great country I can sincerely tell you that Tennesseans are among the most God-fearing, deeply religious, people you will find anywhere. Religion wraps itself in politics in this fine state with an ease that would make our Founders’ heads spin, but the lone resonating consequence is that religion is protected; it is catered to; and it typically rules the day. So why the change of tone? Why the great deviation? Why is religion – of this particular persuasion – suddenly such a vile creature; such a collective enemy of all?
This proud state that usually champions the Freedom of Religion to the point that it presupposes its place in government (yes I understand the paradox there – move to Tennessee and you will also) is now willing to exert its collective will upon a religious congregation and tell them that they have no place in the Volunteer State?
Having deliberated over the matter for some time, I have come to a simple conclusion. The matter is not really about the First Amendment. Its not about the Establishment Clause or the Free Exercise Clause. This debate, as it relates to Tennesseans, is about Freedom from Islam. Just as Tennessee uniquely entangles its religion and its government in an effort to keep the two apart, it is once again creating a special exception to the US Constitution as it deems fit and proper.
Knowing that it is inconsistent and absolutely unconscionable to speak openly about the real issue at play, those who oppose suburban Nashville mosques are simply calling upon public sentiment and animosity toward the Park 51 Project to bolster their argument 900 miles away. References to terrorist funding and sponsorship of radical Islam are not just part of everyday conversation, they even became part of Congressional primary campaigns. Freedom from Islam – peaceful or otherwise – became not only a talking point, but a requisite stump speech for any and all seeking public office.
While politics tend to cater to public sentiment and politicians feed on public hostility toward an issue, it is strikingly odd to me that the deeply religious people of Tennessee have so easily abandoned their posts as the last line of defense for religious freedom. In matters such as this, people often talk of slippery slopes; and while such statements may seem cliche, I cannot for the life of me think of a place more appropriate for such an argument than at the center of this debate. If a community can prevent a Muslim mosque from being constructed, what is next – A Buddhist Temple? A synagogue? A Catholic Church?
The short of it is this. Mosque construction in suburban Nashville, Tennessee is not the same as Park 51 in Lower Manhattan. From a legal perspective, both cases for opposition are equally lacking, but what distinguishes the two however, is the fact that residents of Murfreesboro and Nashville were never the victims of a terrorist attack perpetrated by Muslim extremists; they have no sacred plots of land to protect; and they have no families of innocent victims to shield from future sorrow. Their opposition is masked by faulty logic and non-existent connections to 911 – an opposition that disrespects the battle being fought 900 miles to the North. This is not about Freedom of Religion or freedom from terror, it is about wanting to live in a society Free from Islam altogether.
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More on this subject from around the Web
Gateway Pundit, Freedom’s Lighthouse, Weasel Zippers, The Huffington Post, Little Green Footballs, The Caucus, Harry’s Place, Informed Comment, The Mahablog, Atlas Shrugs, The Moderate Voice and Big Journalism
Hat Tip – Washington Post
You are 100% correct here even when so many republicans are so very wrong in this fight. The Ground Zero mosque is an abomination and should be stopped because it is completely disrespectful to the 911 families. What those people in Tennessee are doing in 911′s name is a threat to the 1st Amendment and nothing else.
I appreciate the comment Naomi. As to Republicans being wrong on this issue… I wouldn’t necessarily say they are “wrong” here unless they believe that the government or some entity of government should stop this mosque. If that’s the case, they’re misguided and simply lack any understanding of the First Amendment. As to its prudence, even the best of minds are split on that point and I pass no judgment for that. I could very easily see myself angry on the other side wishing that the mosque was built in anonymity. The controversy has given extremists a victory in that they have gained the spotlight. As to my fellow Tennesseans opposing mosques in obscure places – one being an abandoned movie theater / Just for Feet shoe store and the other on the outskirts of town – I am completely at a loss. To say I disagree with them would be putting it mildly.
You are not a true Tennessean sir if you think putting a mosque in my backyard is a good idea. I am not a racist but I just dont want them here. They killed all of those people on 911 and they got away with it. I dont want a victory shrine next to my ball field. You might but thats why your not a Tennessean. I dont even know how a Republican can support building mosques. You are wrong sir.
Why is it that people insert a “sir” or two when they are intentionally insulting you? I have always wondered about that….
Mr. Lofton – aka “sir” – I haven’t the slightest clue what you are getting at with your comment. Are you doubting whether or not I actually am a Tennessean or not? Why would anyone lie about that?
As to your other points, I would prefer not to see a place of worship of any kind in the outfield of a ball field. I can’t think of anything worse than feeling bad about hitting homeruns and dropping baseballs on a holy place.
As to my “support” for mosque building… I don’t support the mosque at Ground Zero at all. I don’t support them anywhere in fact. I’m not sending them money or defending what goes on therein. I simply believe that they have a Right to build them.
I don’t know where I lost you James but I am sorry that I did. I am a very proud Tennessean and hate that you have come across as a close-minded individual that believes every Republican from our great state must agree on this or any issue. I hope you come back again so that we can continue this discussion.
Good post, T Christopher. You are correct, the two situations are completely different and must be dealt with as such.
I wouldn’t particularly want a mosque in our little town in Oklahoma, but if there were enough Muslims to support a mosque, then they have as much right to build a place of worship as do the Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostal, Catholics, etc. As much as I distrust Islam, that is how it has to be or we otherwise run the risk of going down that slippery slope you mentioned.
I certainly understand what you are saying there LD. I come from a very small town in Tennessee and I know how my neighbors there would feel about the issue – in fact, they may soon be forced to face it as our wonderful town is nestled right in between Nashville and Murfreesboro so it would be a likely fallback location.
In the greater scheme of things, I think national conservative figures need to chime in on these debates – or debates like these – to illustrate the distinction between construction like these and that at Ground Zero. I think there is a real teachable moment here for those on both sides of the mosque debate. Locals in TN have distorted the message and I truly believe they are disrespecting the families of those who lost lives on 911 by bandwagoning on public sentiment.
[...] Freedom of Religion or Freedom From Islam? By T. CHRISTOPHER [...]
I am just glad that the hate in the Republican party is now concentrated on Islam and Gays as this gives science and the Department of Energy a break from their normal attacks.
While that is certainly an interesting way of looking at things, I’d like to see the Party take the fight to the Left. We keep letting them frame the debate out of a lack of backbone and intestinal fortitude. Far too many Republicans and conservatives are terrified to speak out on issues such as this out of fear for appearing off-message. The end result is that the Left gets to write the story as they please – and we know that is never the message we intend to project.
Thanks for the comment David
You have conflated Islam with a Western understanding of religion. This is an understandable mistake, however Islam is not a western religion. It is a cultural event guided by three theological precepts: God is changeable, deceit is acceptable and violence in the name of Islam is justifiable. These are nothing we understand as religion. They are not covered by the first amendment. If you can separate the religion of Islam from the culture of Islam, then the first amendment would apply. However, this has never been done since the taking of the religion by the fundamentalists in the 11th century.
As the first amendment doesn’t apply to such a foreign import as Islam, it is better to eradicate before it becomes the new kudzu.
I sincerely appreciate your comment Hank as it is both well thought out and extremely thought provoking. That said. I have heard similar arguments many times and do believe that my understanding of Islam is not off point here. I fully respect your argument that there are two prongs of Islam – the part we see in the Western world as “religion” and the cultural aspect. I also understand that they may or may not be mutually exclusive. That said, I cannot – as a strict interpretation originalist – agree with you that the first prong is not protected under the First Amendment. I think the latter has absolutely no place in American society and as a matter of law has no standing whatsoever for its inclusion in the debate. That said, I will not and cannot entertain the notion that any religion – however misguided it may be (or incomplete without cultural domination) – is not protected under the First Amendment.
I have no doubt from your comment that you are extremely well read and knowledgeable of the interplay between and among the religious faiths of the world. With each of them, there is an interplay between said religion and its integration into society through its impact in changing cultural conventions. While we tend to think of this interplay in a positive light when it relates to religions not named Islam… the relationship can simply not be ignored – at least not when similar arguments are being used as evidence for ignoring the intention of the First Amendment.
Thank you again for your comment Hank. It is sincerely appreciated.
@Hank. You are right when you say that Islam is a religion that many in the Western world have no appreciation for and many more can barely understand. You are also correct in stating that it is a cultural event, although I would not necessarily agree with your three precepts from a practical implementation perspective. You are referring to one precept taqiyya. At its very essence it creates and inside – outsider insider reality which allows under Islamic law for a bipolar system of justice. This may be counter to what we in “western civilization” see as fair or just, but it no way diminishes Islam’s position as a religion. Thus, T Christopher is correct in his position that this is a First Amendment issue.
I for one would not like to see a mosque in my “backyard”, neighborhood, or city as far as that goes. I would however like to live in a country that would not tell me where I can worship and I do feel that this nation is the last place on Earth where that is possible. “America is the Last Best Hope for Freedom”
Great Reagan quote there. Couldn’t agree more with your comment. Very much appreciated.
[...] those unawares of the happenings of suburban Tennessee, the mosque project there has mirrored the Ground Zero mosque debate both in its timeline and in its heated opposition. Folks in Murfreesboro who oppose construction [...]
[...] those unawares of the happenings of suburban Tennessee, the mosque project there has mirrored the Ground Zero mosque debate both in its timeline and in its heated opposition. Folks in Murfreesboro who oppose construction [...]