A Point of Clarification

I have recently learned that there are plans to build a mosque on Ground Zero. Naturally, this is very contentious. I happened to have a few thoughts on the matter.

My first comment concerns those who believe the mosque would be an affront to the memories, dreams, and survivors of the holocaust (note the lack of capital letter; this does not refer to the inhuman tragedy of WWII, but to that of September 11). I would say that these people need to understand what they condemn. When humans and other animals are wounded-- when our communities are deliberately attacked in such a wanton, premeditated, brutal, and devastating fashion-- the desire for revenge often overrides reason and intellect. But after almost nine years, are we still at that stage? Still salivating for vengeance and not caring whether the vengeance is misdirected as long as it hits "them"?

What I mean is, the true religion of Islam is one that teaches good, decency, and love. So is Judaism. So is Christianity. These three radically different religions, all born in the same part of the world, are really not so "different" at all. There is a "they" responsible for 9/11. But if you have decided that "they" means "all Muslims," you are wrong. The attack was sanctioned by a minority group of extremists who believed they needed to destroy all their enemies in a whirlwind of fire and blood. That group of extremists is responsible for 9/11.

I am, however, rather curious about why it was decided to build a mosque at Ground Zero. My theory is that the entity/entities who conceived of the idea believed it would be a symbol of peace and understanding. That is a worthy goal, certainly, but it completely ignores the truth of human nature: many humans won't tolerate peace and understanding because they'll take them for signs of weakness. Or because they live in a world removed from the two concepts and would rather see anything different die because it's not the same.

The only alternative to that theory is as sick and twisted as can be imagined considering the circumstances-- that someone thought of the idea directly to cause conflict, knowing full well that the angry and resentful would see it as an insult and a desecration.

In light of these thoughts, I really don't know what to think about this mosque. But I would hate to see one more hateful word spewed, or (infinitely worse) one more life taken because we human beings aren't ready for peace and understanding.