If nothing else, the debate over the “Ground Zero” mosque proves once again that there are demagogues and bigots in every society, within every religion.<\/p>\n
What’s more, it proves that there are cowardly enablers — who cede power and authority to those who would close our minds, narrow our liberties, and manipulate our worst passions — within every religion.<\/p>\n
Here it is bluntly:\u00a0 Anyone who argues that Islam is an evil or violent faith is a bigot.<\/p>\n
Anyone who would try to bully a peaceful congregation into closing their place of worship is unAmerican.<\/p>\n
The same bigoted arguments have been made within our society for decades, about Roman Catholics, Jews, Protestants, and Mormons.<\/p>\n
I don’t call these arguments ignorant because I believe that many of the purveyors of this filthy hatred know better.\u00a0 They have lived or traveled in Muslim countries where extremism is no more common than in American cities.<\/p>\n
They have read the literature and listened to the music and (yes) heard the profound spiritual teachings of this ancient and complex faith.<\/p>\n
What’s more, they have dealt with societies where it is the Christians (Kosovo) or the Hindus (India) who are committing atrocities against Muslims — in the name of their faith and their God.<\/p>\n
In short, these bigots know better.<\/p>\n
And the appeasers who fail to confront them know well where this kind of politically-motivated intolerance leads.<\/p>\n
The people who would build this place of worship are our own citizens.\u00a0 They are Americans, wishing to congregate in peace and worship their God without interference from the government or their neighbors.<\/p>\n
It has become a cliche to suggest that when we act out of fear and ugliness, then the terrorists have truly won.<\/p>\n
This case is more loathsome because those who would play on our fears and our prejudices do so with such calculation, such callow intent.<\/p>\n
America is a better place than this.\u00a0 We are a society of laws and freedoms, not of whisper campaigns and sectarian zealots.<\/p>\n
Building the mosque in the heart of the world’s most vibrant an d cosmopolitan city will prove that.\u00a0\u00a0 Rejecting bullies and demagogues at the ballot box in November will drive the message home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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