Links Post

These links should set the stage for readers to understand why the Ground Zero Mosque is such a big controversy still. They provide the background of the issue, and they show polarized sides and their reasons as to why the mosque should or should not be constructed.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/backer_of_new_york_city_mosque.html

This article discusses the beginning of the mosque debate and explains the purchase of the space by Ground Zero. This article helps because it shows how it all started and gives a good foundation to start understanding fully what the issue occurring in New York is all about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEJ29q_rwoQ&feature=related

Although a pretty goofy character giving the information, I find this link to be one that can be very useful. It provides the audience with good information that can further the knowledge one knows before deciding what their view is on the issue. I think it would be especially helpful to people that are being very extreme about the problem because this link explains how the mosque is not right at Ground Zero and how it is not exclusively religious; it gives a calmer approach that some people might need to understand the problem fully.

http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/1225/telling-the-story-of-a-mosque-in-america/

This link is very helpful because it simply spells out what the debate is between: freedom of religion and honoring those who suffered and still suffer from 9/11

http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2010/09/most_new_yorkers_want_muslim_c.html

This link provides the idea that most Americans are proposing, still build the mosque just move it further away from Ground Zero.

http://topics.law.cornell.edu/constitution/billofrights

This link has the First Amendment in The Constitution. It spells out the freedom of religion that every American has the right to. Most supporters of the mosque use this as the backbone of their argument to allow the mosque to be built.

http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2010/08/19/71-view-mosque-as-insult-to-911-victims/

This link provides factual information on what Americans think of the issue. It has the results of polls that were conducted, and they show that about 71% of the Americans surveyed think that the mosque would be an insult to the 9/11 victims.

http://technorati.com/politics/article/growing-support-for-ground-zero-mosque/

This link shows that the construction of the mosque might not be such an insult. It describes families of 9/11 victims who support the mosque. This shows that even those who were directly affected by the terrorist attacks still think the mosque should be able to be built.

Funny Video (Break Post)

http://www.blip.tv/file/4168013

Click on the link to see a video on the Ground Zero Mosque courtesy of SNL

Implications

The debate over the mosque in New York is completely polarized due to the absence of a possible compromise, as I stated in my theory post. If the approval of the mosque does not happen relatively soon, it could carry some fairly serious implications. If the issue isn’t resolved, then I believe the arguing that is occurring now will only become more and more heated resulting in more drastic protests that might even end in violence. Suspense would be built up too, only letting the side that ends up losing the battle to become bitterer.  I also feel that if there is no resolution in a reasonable amount of time, there will be a big uproar from all Americans who follow the Islamic religion. They will use the conflict as a perfect example of the hatred that Muslim-Americans deal with. Also, I believe there will be some implications in politics added to the existing ones. Especially with the upcoming elections, I think that politicians’ stance towards the proposed mosque could go as far as determining who will be voted into office. Voters could possibly change their votes depending on the politicians’ ideas for balancing honor for the 9/11 victims with the freedom of religion that is promised to all Americans.

Theory

If the mosque and center is built then obviously those who oppose it will be upset. And if the center is not built then those who support it will not be happy. How is this debate going to end? What could be done to put it to an end? Those questions are particularly tough on this subject because I do not believe there is a possible compromise that could satisfy both sides of the debate. I say this because I don’t know many ways in which a compromise could be made on this matter. The only option I can think of, which has been proposed by many already, is to just move the location of the center further away from Ground Zero. However, I don’t think it would be enough to satisfy the side supporting the mosque being built. I believe most of the supporters of the mosque would not be content because they are arguing not for the concrete location, but for the concept. I think most supporters of the mosque want it to be at the location it has been proposed because it will be a quintessential example of America and what it stands for. If the location is moved at all, I think many of the supporters of the mosque will not be happy.

There is only one thing that I think can be done to put an end to this debate, and that is to legally deem rejection of the mosque unconstitutional. If that were to happen, the arguing would definitely be put to an end. However, it would not end in the satisfaction of both sides it would just be a victory for those who support the mosque. This might result in some implications that could have prominent affects.

Analysis Post

This controversy over a mosque being built in New York City has really evolved into something big over the past year. It has grown into such an issue that it is now found in politics regularly. It started from the purchase of an old clothing store by a real estate partnership and a plan to construct a cultural center and mosque; now it has turned into an issue where even foreigners are posting videos to voice their opinions. Not only is the issue growing, the momentum is shifting frequently.

            Before I discuss the different arguments everyone is making, there are some points that people might not be aware of. The mosque is not on ground zero, it is two blocks away. Also, it is not strictly a religious building. There is a place for religion, but it is a community center including a basketball court and such. I’m not sure if everyone is aware of these two things before they decide their stance, but they should be.

        

The controversy seems, for the most part, to be split into two distinct sides. There are some neutral people who, for the most part, just want the location of the center to be moved further away from Ground Zero. However, the debate seems to be very polarized; many people find the mosque to be a terrible proposal and others support the ability to build the mosque.

The supporters of the mosque mainly use the freedom of religion to defend their stance, using the First Amendment as their source of power. This side believes that the building should be built and nobody can stop them. Many people believe that building the mosque would define America’s religious tolerance, and it would be the right way to honor those who died in 9/11 because it would show that America will not change due to the terrorists. Many also believe that building the mosque will help “heal” the United States and it will help jump start Americans’ forgiveness for the happenings on September 11, 2001. This side also does not agree with restricting those who follow the Islamic religion from having the mosque because they feel that they should not be punished, for they did not partake in the attacks.

On the other side of the debate, most people oppose the mosque being built. Polls have shown that 44% of Americans find the mosque an insult while only 23% find it to be a symbol of religious tolerance. This shows us that the majority are on the side of opposing the mosque. Many people on this side think the mosque would be like a victory to the terrorists from 9/11. They believe that it would be similar to giving in, and it would not be the correct way to honor the victims. Those who stand on this side of the argument believe that not having the mosque would be the right way to honor the victims because it will show that we have not forgotten about them and still want to make strides in stopping more attacks. They protest the center and believe that it should not be constructed; they find the mosque being so close to ground zero to be almost disgraceful.

   

            The issue in politics seems to be a accurate reflection of most Americans because many oppose the idea of the center. Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, Pamela Geller, and Newt Gingrich are some of the famous names that do not believe the mosque is a good idea. They do not believe it is the right thing to do. Even so, there are some politicians who support the mosque. Obama is one of them. Ron Paul is another that sticks to the freedom of religion. Even the mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, supports the building of the center despite all of the uproar he has had to deal with on the issue. Along with him, many civil rights groups as well as religious groups have joined the side supporting the mosque.

Which side are you on?

Important Background Information

There is some background information that I believe is important that everyone knows about before they decide where they stand in the ground zero mosque debate. I feel that some people decide to be against the mosque before they know all of the facts. I fear that many people will instantly jump to conclusions that may be brought on by lack of knowledge. Here are two important points that I think that everyone should know before they voice their opinions.

1.      The mosque is not AT the site where The World Trade Center once stood. It is proposed to be built a little over two blocks away. Yes, it is still relatively close to ground zero, but it might be far enough for some people to accept the building of it. I believe everyone should know this because I don’t want anyone having some strong feelings or thinking it is such disrespect to 9/11 victims because it is at the site when it is not. I’m not sure whether or not this will make people lean more way than the other or not, but it is something everyone should be aware of.

2.      The building is not just a mosque. It is an Islamic Center. I think many people believe it is strictly a religious building so it is completely absurd to put it near ground zero when it is far from that. The building does have a place to worship, but it has a lot of other parts to it. If the building is constructed, there will be things like a basketball court, a swimming pool, and even a place for people to try and sing. The building is a center not a mosque, and I believe that is another piece of information that everybody should be aware of.

Constitutional?

          The Constitution of the United States of America is the absolute law of United States. It is the backbone of our government. Also, it will be the backbone of my argument that the mosque being built in New York is acceptable. In the Constitution, there is a Bill of Rights which states the essential liberties and rights to all Americans. At the beginning of the Bill of Rights the first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”As it clearly states in the beginning, there is a freedom of religion to all Americans and there is no prohibiting of exercising it. I believe that single statement alone should end the dispute of whether or not building the mosque is suitable.

          A great aspect of the Constitution is that it cannot be argued with. It is definite, concrete, and something that really has no exceptions. So why is there a possibility of rejecting a mosque in New York? That’s a question I have been asking myself this whole time. The Muslim-Americas have a clear right to religion spelled out to them in our Constitution and should not be denied the right to build a mosque, regardless of the location.

The Introduction

Do you remember September 11, 2001? Many people probably find it offensive that I even asked that question. That tragic day will always be remembered by our generation of Americans. Having that day always in our memory is causing quite a controversy in New York City. The controversy: the proposal of having an Islamic cultural center and mosque near the site where the planes crashed into the World Trade Center. The issue of the mosque is something that can be found regularly in the news; many people have been voicing their opinions on the issue.

            The people that believe there should be no mosque have caused something that is not too far from an uproar. Many people have their own reasons for opposing the mosque. Some believe having the mosque is disrespectful to the ones that we lost during the 9/11 attacks. Others say building the cultural center would give the 9/11 terrorists a “victory.” Finally, there are some people who don’t want the mosque due to the distrust they have towards Muslims. These people don’t really care about the location; they just don’t want a mosque in general.

            There are some who back the idea of having a mosque as well. These people mainly use the first amendment as their basis of argument. They believe there is a right to have the mosque due to the freedom of religion that is clearly spelled out for Americans in the Constitution. They oppose and disagree with all of the infuriation that so many are feeling.