Many will ask: How do you know these things? To the best of my ability, I am merely reporting what I believe to be commonly held theological beliefs of the Islamic community. Certainly most Moslems in this country would dispute much of what I say. They dispute me on two grounds:
First—they do not agree that the views presented here are legitimately Islamic views.
Second—the views expressed put Islam in a bad light and are therefore anti-Islamic, probably blasphemous, maybe even qualify as hate speech.
What you will never hear anyone say is, “No Moslem believes that.” Because they know that the views expressed here are widely held by Moslems worldwide. You will likely never hear these views expressed in English. And I have to admit that these views may be inconsistent with true Islam; I am not a Moslem theologian. But here is the point that cannot be denied by anyone: The views presented here are widely held by Imams the world over and represented by them as true representations of Islam. (If they are mistaken, more informed Imams have not yet convinced these misinformed mullahs of their errors.)
Now to the location of the mosque. This is short, simple, and easy to grasp.
The so-called Ground Zero Mosque will never be moved. It cannot be moved. It cannot be moved because it is located in a spot that will commemorate the great victory won by Islam against the infidel on 9/11. No other spot will do. If the intent of this mosque was to improve relations with Americans, it would be called the Reconciliation Mosque, or the Mosque of Contrition, or the Humble Apology Mosque. (The reader may insert here their own title to show Islam’s remorse over the fact that 19 of their own executed jihad against the innocent; these titles will never see the light of day.) It will never choose a name like any of those, with which its current name, Cordoba, is quite antithetical.
The so-called Ground Zero Mosque will never be moved because it is widely believed to be at Ground Zero. Many are now refusing to call it the Ground Zero Mosque. This should be your first warning sign. It is believed (by many) to be a part of Ground Zero because part of one of the planes landed on and substantially damaged the building at that very site. The funding that will be raised for the construction of the mosque is coming because the site is linked to 9/11. This will make it a holy site; the first holy site on this continent. It cannot have that status at any other location.
When I visited the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, I mentioned to the guide that I was interested in a tour of the site of the Second Temple. He raised both hands and shouted in broken English, “There is no Second Temple!” My family thought their dad was about to become the first casualty of Armageddon. The Dome of the Rock and the Cordoba Mosque of New York will share in common the celebration of victories against infidels at those locations. If the New York mosque is moved to a new location, then I don’t know what I’m talking about.
Hey Mark,
ReplyDeleteA great post yet again. What you say makes perfect sense. I was listening to a conservative talk radio station yesterday to one of our local Omaha radio guys and he didn't necessarily like the idea of the Mosque, but he didn't think it was that big of a deal. I was surprised. While he was on the subject a woman called in and identified herself as a Christian and her take was this: "That this mosque will no doubt be used to train and harbor terrorists..As a training center, it will teach and condone the hatred of Christianity and America."
As you've pointed out here, it is important that we understand how the Islamic world see's this mosque. I don't think we can make a blanket statement that all Moslems will see it as a symbol of victory, but the ones who carried out the acts that are causing the very controversy surrounding it will, and that's why it ought not be built. It will give a toehold (or maybe a foot), to those who celebrated 9/11.
I highly doubt that the Mosque would be 'terrorist training center,' but it will be a terrorist trophy center.
What do you see the consequences being for America if this is built? What will the ripple effects be?
Mr. Ritchie, are Americans (and even more so, Christians) justified in somewhat 'xenophobic' fears of Islamic people and thereby perpetuating a great divide between even moderate American Muslims? What about Muslims who are trying to bridge the gap? We certainly can't generalize that all Muslims support the same jihadist doctrine...when a Muslim came to speak on a panel at TIU, they were very interested in making sure that people knew that they interpreted 'jihad' as one's personal struggle in the faith.
ReplyDeleteAnd, with Scotty B, I'm also interested where you are going with this. So the mosque will be built. What then? How do we respond as 1) Americans and 2) as Christians (because the two are clearly not synonymous).
Scotty B and Meg,
ReplyDeleteThese are great questions. I'll get to them later. For now--stay the course with these questions. As I have said, this will take time. More to come.
Meg and Scotty B,
ReplyDeleteI'll address these in a later blog but your questions will help clear my thinking on the matter. (And I should add that clear thinking is the most important contribution we can make and why I covet your questioning minds.)
I like the mosque because it shows Islam for what it is. Of course we must always oppose evil in all its forms and the celebration of 9/11 is evil. But the mosque is a painless way for Islam to show its colors. And this is what all thinking people need. When you look at it this way, 9/11 was the quintessential display of Islam. You are right that all Moslems did not support 9/11. And President Bush claimed that 9/11 had been done by a deluded, fringe minority. “They hijacked a wonderful religion,” he said. Is Bush an authority on Islam? Every Moslem in the world today stands on the horns of a dilemma. They are being called from both sides. One side believes that jihad does not include violence against the infidel; the other side does. Of one thing I can assure you; neither side is a fringe minority. And every Moslem knows that.
Now here is what is important. Really important. (And this is why I love 9/11 and the building of the mosque; they will force people to face this question) What was Jesus like; and what was Mohammed like?
Here’s a beginning for your consideration:
1. Jesus never killed anyone; Mohammed did.
2. Jesus loved his enemies; Mohammed did not.
3. Jesus called his followers to return good for evil; Mohammed did not.
4. Jesus thought he was God; Mohammed disagreed, even considered the claim blasphemous.
5. Jesus never married a child; you figure the rest.
These contrasts I have just articulated are considered blasphemy in many countries, punishable by death. I grew up with friends who blasphemed Jesus when I tackled them. Jesus does not want them killed. He wants me to love them in spite of their reaction to my tackling. Now friends, you tell me, which of these life paths would you like to take?