What our first President said to America’s oldest synagogue
Now that President Obama has stepped into the debate over building an Islamic cultural center and mosque near the site of the World Trade Center, it’s worth remembering what President George Washington said to the Jews of Newport, Rhode Island.
They weren’t the first congregation of Jews in the colonies, but – after the long war for independence – the members were prospering and the group was growing. And they wanted to know if the United States’ new Constitutional government would recognize and defend the same rights for Jews that, at the time, were afforded to Christians.
In 1790 – President Washington’s first full year in office – the head of Newport’s Hebrew Congregation (as they called themselves) used the flowery, diplomatic language of the time to ask for tolerance. Here’s an excerpt:
Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free Citizens, we now with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty disposer of all events behold a Government, erected by the Majesty of the People — a Government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance — but generously affording to all Liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: — deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue, or language equal parts of the great governmental Machine.
Washington’s reply:
The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
Are bigotry and persecution motivating opposition to the Cordoba Islamic center in Manhattan? Perhaps. It’s clear they’re playing a big role in the fights against other proposed mosques across the U.S.
There appears to be wide-spread agreement that the site of the September 11th attacks in New York City is hallowed ground. President Obama said exactly that in his comments yesterday at a ceremonial feast, breaking the day of fasting that’s part of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.
But the Muslim congregation in Manhattan doesn’t want to build a cultural center or mosque on Ground Zero. They want to build it two blocks away, at the site of a former Burlington Coat Factory.
President Obama said yesterday, “The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are.”
In 1790, President Washington essentially repeated the words of Moses Seixas to say, “the Government of the United States… gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance….” But Washington himself wrote this:
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts.
It is coincidence that the correspondence between the Hebrew Congregation of Newport and President Washington began August 17, 1790 – 220 years ago. It’s far more interesting that both letters are hanging on the wall of Newport’s Touro Synagogue, the oldest in the United States.
As America argues over building the Cordoba center, we should consider what remnants of this debate will still be in its archives 220 years from now – and what Americans then will say about us.
President Obama said “This is America. And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are. The writ of the Founders must endure.”
Are these words to endure or just more evidence he is an America-hating nazi?
I don’t know man, you know two blocks is a LONG way in the City there are tons of things packed in two city blocks.
How far is far enough away? Five blocks, one mile, no Mosques in Manhattan??? Where does it end? What does sacred ground even mean in this context?
This is wrong.
I am as tolerant as the next person, but putting the mosque there is a pure political, not religious statement.
It is wrong. Just follow the money.
What if the community center the muslims want to build did not contain a place of worship? Would it still be wrong?
JDM-
Can you be more specific? When you say, “This is wrong.” what, exactly, is wrong? The proposed placement of the Islamic center? If so, why is it wrong?
The “follow the money” line doesn’t work. If you know of some reason – financial or otherwise – why this center shouldn’t be built at its current site, please let us know.
I appreciate your comments on other posts. I guess I’m just looking for more on this.
three cheers to the president for standing up for what’s right, even if it’s not popular. and here’s hoping that the president’s critics on the left give him the credit he deserves on this issue. good behavior needs to be rewarded.
I recently found out the President declined to attend the National Prayer Day celebration citing that it was “too divisive”. Yet he attends the Ramadan celebration??? He declined to attend the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts, preferring instead to appear on “The View” and he says National Prayer Day is divisive? I’m sorry, but he’s lost any possible credibility he may have had in that area.
Another thing, we’re told we need to be tolerant and sensitive to the Moslem community over this mosque. Wouldn’t the tolerant and sensitive thing for THEM to do be to not make a political statement by building a mosque so close to the site? Where is the expectation they display some sensitivity?
Jonathan:
While I research my comments, let me ask you, “Where do you think the money for the mosque is coming from?”
It is a good thing (for those of us who think this is wrong) that the Islamic group went to the planning board without owning the property they were trying to get approval on.
Whoops. It seems the Islamic group told the planning board a lie.
This is not my justification for saying this is wrong. This is how I hope it will be stopped.
If Ground Zero is hallowed ground, what better place to put a mosque, and a church, temple–put one of everything for all the people who died.
Ok. I’ll put forth a hypothetical to test the religious freedom theory.
A Christian nut-case shoots a doctor outside a Planned Parenthood Clinic, in the name of God according to his belief (not mine, by the way).
A church of his denomination wants to build a church next door to the Planned Parenthood clinic as a gesture of good will. Who knows if other nut-jobs attend this church or not.
Are you on board with this?
I’m pretty sure god is going to punish the USA because President Obama didn’t hold a White House National Prayer Day (which may be unconstitutional) service. We will be doubly punished for his godless comments during an iftar. I bet Obama even ate a date!
As for JDM’s question, I’d have no problem with a church built next to clinic where a Christian nut-case shot a doctor. Why? Because the guy was a nut-case and not representative of all Christians.
But this community center is not on ground zero it is in lower Manhattan near ground zero, along with other Mosques and Cathedrals and Churches and Temples. Maybe Muslims can learn about religious freedom from this; hopefully when a Christian Church wants to build a Church in a Muslim community there will not be problems. The WTC should have been re-built that is how we should have shown the Islamic extremists that we overcame their attacks. Arguing about how close a Mosque is to the place where the WTC used to be; I think in itself is a indication that in fact the 9/11 attacks were somewhat successful. We should be arguing about how high we want the new towers to be and how much stimulus money we are using to help build them.
PNElba:
Thanks for answering my hypothetical. I want to establish that I believe your answer.
Now, I do want to ask you how that reconciles with your comment on a parallel thread, where you made reference that one crazy on Anderson Cooper may be representative of the GOP. You said, “Is it an example of what has become of the GOP? “
Good point Mervel, it isn’t just this community center that nobody can agree on. Nobody can seem to agree on anything having to do with the WTC site. Welcome to America, squabbling is your right.
PNElba- Thanks for showing your bias. So Obama attending a National Prayer Day might be “unConstitutional” but attending a Ramadan celebration isn’t? And Nancy Pelosi calling for Catholic leaders to support her immigration reform from the pulpit must be wrong too, or maybe it’s okay, or maybe it depends?
Your lack of constancy undermines your argument.
For many, this issue comes down to allegiance.
Those opposed to the Islamic center say they don’t trust Muslims. Specifically, they don’t trust Muslims to place their allegiance to the United States above their allegiance to their religion.
This is a pretty common theme throughout American history. “The Red Menace” and McCarthyism are good examples. More recently, many on the Left questioned George W. Bush’s allegiance to the Constitution after the President said he believed in the “End Times” prophecies.
How, they asked, could a man who believes in the imminent, violent death of humanity be trusted with his hands on the nuclear football?
For those of you following this thread, please re-read the excerpt from George Washington’s letter. Specifically, the last sentence:
“For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”
This was an explicit decree to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport and people of all religions. Translation: Put your country first and we won’t have a problem.
After the Revolutionary War, the Anglican Church in the United States was forced to make some big changes: priests could no longer swear allegiance to the (English) head of the Anglican Church; and they began calling themselves Episcopalians.
The reason I posted this was to show we (Americans) have been down this road before. We’ve repeatedly supported equal rights for people of different faiths, creeds, etc.
Because of our allegiance to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
My only thought on this is – I wonder if the Muslims will put up their building before the buildings at the former twin towers are up?
Gee whiz, it has almost been 10 years since those building fell. And speaking of the World Trade Center, I wish they (whoever) had just put the same thing back up.
As one looks through the history of American society specifically and world history in general one finds that societies have turned on themselves as a result of a tragedy or evolving social/economic menace, which requires a scapegoat, someone or something to which the blame can be assigned.
This current issue is no different. Adding to it is the fact that Bin Laden is still running free. Since we can’t get our hands on him, the next best target would be those among us having any sort of similarity, no matter how remote or outrageous the connection we make.
Our constitution guarantees religious freedom for all, not just the religious group one section of the society belongs.
This community center is not at Ground Zero, which has become one of this nation’s sacred places. It does not impede, mock, or otherwise disrespect those that lost their lives that horrible day in September. Christians weren’t the only ones to have lost their lives in the falling of the Twin Towers. All religions suffered losses, and all deserve the right to be respected.
Just to be clear, I know this proposed center isn’t at Ground Zero. My proposal is to put one AT Ground Zero. There should be a requirement in the plan to have religious facilities for all faiths, and since it is near Wall Street to have a golden calf as well.
“The imam behind a proposed mosque and Islamic community center near Ground Zero will turn to Arab and Muslim nations around the world to help finance the estimated $100 million project, he has told a London-based Arabic newspaper”
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/foreign_mosque_money_OSkAG6ucmWz6yPAJU61cTO#ixzz0wgr890QH
I have no idea if this is true or not. But the Saudi Arabian government does have an active program of funding Mosques around the globe and using government dollars to spread Islam around the globe.
If this mosque is funded in anyway by Islamic governments outside of the US then indeed I do have a problem with it.
How elegant George Washingtons words are. The harsh reality is that in GW’s 1790 America, our current President would be shackled to a tree.
And in todays America, Obama could give a great speech on how the troops are coming home but in reality the troops will remain shackled to a Muslim country responsible for the destruction of WTC?
Words…just words.
Mervel, why would you have a problem? We would just be getting back some of our oil money. Better for it to go to building a community center in NYC than to financing terrorists.
But it’s not that bad. Obama is bringing troops home; we are leaving Iraq at the rate of I think 3000 per week or something like that. We will leave Afghanistan next year or draw way down. There were free Africans living in the US when Washington said those things we have an African American President now and indeed we have many different religious faiths there that get along better than in most other countries most of the time, just not all of the time. Those things were put in motion by people like Washington the words were important.
I have a little problem with foreign nations paying huge amounts of money for religious Proselytizing in my country particularly when those nations do not respect religious liberty.
Hi PNE,
Yeah to me it is no longer an American project but a true foreign Islamic insertion into the US I do have a problem with Saudi Arabia funding a Mosque anywhere in the US let alone near ground zero. It kind of changes everything for me about this issue. However it might not be true and if this really is American Muslims wanting to build a Mosque then yes of course they have a right to do that. I would say constitutionally a foreign government does also have the right to proselytize in the US and once again I don’t think we can deny them that right, it just really bugs me particularly when in their country you get the death penalty for converting to Christianity let alone what they would do if the US government funded Cathedrals in Mecca, how would that go over?
While we’re at it, I’m sick of the papist Catholics in Rome trying to subvert our good Protestant country by trying to get taxpayer vouchers for their schools.
“It kind of changes everything for me about this issue. However it might not be true and if this really is American Muslims wanting to build a Mosque then yes of course they have a right to do that.”
Simmer down, Mervel. Even foreign religious people have a right to build whatever church they choose, including a church of satan.
That’s what you get with freedom of religion. Don’t like it, then move. Plenty of countries without freedom of religion.
Adding, I have no idea whether the Saudi-funding story is true. Nor do I care. Not really my business. I don’t live in NYC.
Well you have to admit it changes the picture when when we realize that US citizens may not really even be involved in this project. Also it is not “foreign religious people” it is Islamic dictatorships the governments directly funding the building of mosques and community centers in support of the spread of Islam. Which like I said is probably legal, but I think most people would feel a little different about it knowing that the money to build this thing is coming from governments who sometimes support fascist terror groups.
I thought only ignorant rednecks used the “love it or leave it” phrase, well if the shoe fits…..
I just want to add that I still would not deny people the right to build this Mosque anywhere people can legally do so, including in lower Manhattan. My point was simply that it would bug me to know that Islamic governments are so involved in spreading their state sponsored faith in our country including the 100 million to build this center. I can’t imagine why it would not bug most Americans? But being bugged by something is part of living here it does not mean I have the right to stop them, but my freedom of speech does give me the right to talk about my concerns.
“My point was simply that it would bug me to know that Islamic governments are so involved in spreading their state sponsored faith in our country including the 100 million to build this center.”
You’re right Mervel. After all, it’s not like the USA meddles in the affairs of other countries.
What another President said about terrorism and religious freedom.
“These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends…
I ask you to uphold the values of America and remember why so many have come here.
We’re in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith.”
No I agree; I hope I didn’t give the impression that I was saying this cannot happen or I think the US should deny our principles of religious freedom. People just need to realize that if this is true about the funding that it is not an American project this is not about American Muslims; but a bizarre attempt by Islamic dictatorships to spread Islam in the US, why would they do that?
I find that interesting.
Mervel,
I actually hate the Saudi dictatorship, but to pick this fight, over a sketchy report on a really minor issue, as the place to make a stand is just a little bit late and a whole lot missing the forest. I think the generations of our leaders appeasing their oil barons, including flying the Saudi royal family members out of the country right after 911, is a much bigger affront to our way of life and our security than unconfirmed reports of possibly some money going to fund the equivalent of a YMCA.
But Michael Moore pointed out the royal family story, and he’s fat and liberal, so nobody was bothered by it.
Actually OA, I think people were bothered by that story, but since it was refuted, denied, embellished, corrected, changed, confirmed, denied again…who knows if it really happened. The story was they knew all about the 9/11 plot and “bush let them get away with it”. That’s not a story, that’s a fantasy.
I’m still asking the question- Why do “we” have to be sensitive to their needs and religion, but “they” don’t have to be sensitive to our feelings about 9/11 and Ground Zero? It seems to me they are doing this as a symbolic gesture, a slap in our face so to speak.
Let them build the mosque. 9/11 is ancient history. Get over it and move on. Think of the jobs that would be created during the construction. Those will good paying union jobs. This might be another opportunity to put some of the stimulus money to good use.
the whole thing smacks of “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.
if we are sensative to their needs and feeling we are being the bigger person since we do not feel reciprocation from them– then how do you feel when once again you get slapped.
if you feel you might be making a mistake, it might be better to error on the side of caution- since it wont be obama or anyone from washington near WTC ver-2.0 if it’s targetted again.
if the locals don’t wan’t it- then it probably should not be built.
…..Jobs??
not everything is worth the work–or the money.
“9/11 is ancient history. Get over it and move on. ”
Maybe to you, but not to everyone.
“I’m still asking the question- Why do “we” have to be sensitive to their needs and religion, but “they” don’t have to be sensitive to our feelings about 9/11 and Ground Zero?”
Bret, who is the “we” you’re speaking for? Did you live in NYC during 9/11? Have you ever lived in NYC? Have you even visited the Trade Center sites?
This is a local zoning board issue that was trumped up by outsiders into a way to scapegoat Muslims. And fer gawdsake, they’re not building this thing on “Ground Zero” or Hallowed Ground or whatever people who lived through 911 on TV, several thousands miles away, want to keep calling it. It’s a former BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY!
It’s OK with New Yorkers and their mayor and city council. Nobody would care if the right wing media hadn’t tried to turn this into a way to say, “See! Liberals love the muslim!”
And interestingly, nobody’s all up in arms about the mosque in the Pentagon, which also got hit during the attacks.
I thought Palin, et al, were about local control and keeping elitist outsiders off our backs.
And also too, porn’s cool, but a house of worship isn’t:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/08/16/2010-08-16_a_sea_of_filth_near_ground_zer0_mosque_gets_all_the_press_but_porns_around_corne.html
Does anyone know that Mosques have been in the US since the 1800s? or that Muslims have served and still serve in our military? This center is going to be 2 blocks from where the towers were, there is a McDonald’s right across the street as well as a bar. If this is hallowed ground why is no one talking about those? Oh and by the way, the oldest Mosque is in Brooklyn NY.
Obama can’t back-paddle fast enough.
OA, yes. I was in NYC at Ground Zero by about 10:00AM 9/12/01 and was there on and off for the next 6 months or so.
The point is why are “we”, the USA, required to be sensitive to offending Moslem sensibilities but “they” don’t share that requirement?
“there is a McDonald’s right across the street as well as a bar. If this is hallowed ground why is no one talking about those?”
‘Cause Ronald McDonald didn’t crash two 747s into the Twin Towers.
bret, this is the logic of a child. who cares what kind of standards “they” hold? since when do we compromise our values to lower ourselves to the standards of others?
I wonder if we have an opening here though for more religious freedom and discussion about that in the Middle East? Oa yes I agree about the Saudi family and I agree with Michael Moore pointing it out.
But this may serve as an opportunity for the US government to ask about Christians and other religious minorities in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim dominated countries being given the right to build Churches in that region or more directly about US citizens and US Christian groups being given the right to build Churches in those countries.
One of the ways to open up Islam is to let Muslims be exposed to other faiths so that they can make their own spiritual choices.
I hope this community center will allow Christians to partake and to spread the Good News there.
and neither did the people building the cordoba house, jdm.
that has yet TBD, hermit. Follow the money.
HT, the logic of a child would be to wipe out anything Islamic in America. What I’m asking is why are we not demanding of them what they demand of us? Since we don’t do that it puts us at a disadvantage. Appeasement hasn’t worked so well throughout history.