Secular reflections on Islam, the Cordoba Mosque, and the meaning of liberty.
Yes, it is outrageous to suggest that the Cordoba Mosque be banned, any more than any other religious organization, however fruity or dangerous its ideas, ought to be denied their private exercise of faith. A lot of Christians are praying for the destruction of the Earth or preach God's hatred of America for varying reasons. So, if we're going to tolerate religion at all, it has to be on equal terms for everyone.
But, in the name of all that is rational, can we please set aside any naive notions about Islam being some wonderful religion of peace? I am pretty sure that I can randomly pick up the Queran and find some passage that expresses a violent and primitive worldview, one in which women, homosexuals, and non-Muslims deserve death. Each day some new horror is paraded before us...a pregnant adulteress stoned in Afghanistan, gays executed in Iraq, school girls forced into a burning building...which only makes me wonder whether Islam is worse as an ideology or in practice. I could go either way. And the seduction of this nihilistic worldview and its destructive tendencies are plain to anyone who is willing to admit it.
I'm sure there are perfectly nice Muslims - in fact, I am friends with many of them. And, just like my evangelical Christian friends...I think they're nuts. We in the west are lucky that reason, science, and enlightened social values have managed to ameliorate the worst tendencies of our own religious heritage (witch burnings, what have you, the list truly is endless). Of course, we still have daily evidence that the battle isn't over. Hopefully, one day enlightened compassion will finally conquer all the stupidity and superstition that plaugue our society to this very day. But we've come a long way from the crusades.
Our brothers and sisters still living under the thumb of Islam, however, are in a different situation altogether. This is blindingly obvious to anyone who cherishes I-hop, Hooters, Rock of Love, tequila, sodomy and the Simpsons. So, again, in the name of sanity, let's please all repeat it together: Islam is not an ideology of peace! And the clash between this primitive and oppressive worldview and the unstoppable forces of modernity is one of the defining features of our time, whether we like it or not.
So, yes, as you may have guessed, that mosque near the site of ground zero DOES offend me. Enough to have me clacking at my keyboard way past my bedtime. I find it in extremely poor taste, and I am highly suspicious of the "kumbaya" crowd who think that this somehow will lead to any reconciliation between Christians and Islam. Keep wishing! It is a finger in the eye of many people, and like probably many other mosques, will be be a center for the promulgation of superstition and probably often dangerous ideas, with some nice gestures towards helping the poor and personal sobriety (as long as you are a heterosexual male Muslim, of course).
And, it is my right to be offended, just like it is my right to be wrong and an asshole, both of which I exercise liberally. (Unintended pun, but it stays.) And, as a private person, I will publicly add my voice to those who say that the builders of this mosque, whatever their intentions, are completely tone deaf to public sentiment and the feelings of a lot of people. Maybe not everyone, but certainly many...enough that they deserve at least to be heard.
However, as my diary title states, this is MY problem. Once I've expressed my views, or possibly banded together with others who feel the same way, that's where it ends. If they choose to go ahead, that's their right, and the strength of America and democracy is that they are free to do so. Anyone who suggests otherwise, that the mosque should be banned, regardless of how strong the sentiments may be, should spend some time, as I often do, at the Thomas Jefferson memorial, pondering the amazing feats of imagination and tolerance that led to the founding of this most beautiful country. I am 100% certain that, roles being reversed, the princes of Islam would not return the favor -- and more's the pity for them. We are not "bowing" to Islam, we are not kowtowing to tolerance out of pacifism...we are bowing before the almighty virtue of liberty, a value that is really, actually worth fighting for, whether its opponents are Christian, Muslim or anything else.
That's my rant, and I'm sticking to it! Salaam, y'all.
Quick update:
Thanks to all who read and commented on my diary. I am offline for much of the next couple of days so won't be able to reply quickly to those of you who thoughtfully disagreed. I won't bother with all the knee-jerk, H-rating replies, except to say, read the last paragraph, it's the most important. As the counter-point, it needs more emphasis, but such are the dangers of posting late at night, I was hoping that anyone paying attention would find it obvious that my point is that the defense of liberty can force us to accept things we don't like.