I’ve been paying sort of loose attention to the “ground-zero-Islamic-center” debate that’s been in the news lately. It’s a great example of a manufactured controversy.
The opponents to the mosque seem to have some poorly constructed arguments.
Argument #1: Islam is the violent religion of terrorists and has no place in America.
Fact #1: Yes, there are Muslim extremists who want to kill Americans. Similarly, there are Christian extremists who want to kill Americans. Everyone who’s ever thought about blowing up an abortion clinic or stem cell research facility was motivated by faith. Does that mean we should stop building churches?
Fact #2: There are already over 100 mosques in New York City. One more does not, in any way, symbolize a terrorist victory or diminish anyone’s right to practice the religion of their choice.
Argument #2: I support freedom of religion, just not there.
Fact #3: You can’t have it both ways. A similarly silly argument would be, “I support freedom of speech, just not when it expresses an opinion contradictory to mine.” Our freedoms are an essential part of what makes us American, and the Bill of Rights contains no “exclusions may apply, see reverse for full details” fine print.
Fact #4: In many Muslim countries, it would be illegal to even hold your peaceful little protest. Is that the kind of intolerance we want here?
Fact #5: The proposed site is 2 blocks away from the former WTC towers. Yes, it’s very close, but no one is erecting minarets over Ground Zero.
Argument #3: President Obama is a Muslim and hates America.
Fact #6: While we may disagree with his policy decisions, there is no credible evidence to support this claim.
Argument #4: Supporting the mosque is the same as supporting a “Clubhouse for Terrorists.” (This phrase was actually one protester’s sign.)
Fact #7: Islam did not attack us. A small but well-organized group of extremists did.
Fact #8: There are more than 1.5 billion Muslims in the world. Wikipedia estimates Al-Qaeda has perhaps 300 active commanders, which means you’d be likely to meet 5,000,000 Muslims before finding one of these terrorists. Since there are only 600,000 Muslims in New York, the numbers aren’t very conducive to building a terrorist clubhouse. Although the geography may be attractive, the odds of one or more of these jihadists infiltrating this new mosque is infinitesimally small. And if it does get built, don’t you think the CIA will find some way to wiretap the shit out of it?
So what’s it going to be America, Freedom or Fear?
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