Wow, talk about diversity of opinions within Christian society as concerns whether the Mosque should be built in proximity to the WTC site. It is a good thing that most Christian’s on both sides of the debate agree that constitutionally its ok for it to be built there. Its also a very good thing that much of Christian society wants to show mercy and compassion to the victims of 911, of all faiths. The disconnect exists as to how best to go about doing so, ie is advocating building a Mosque at that location or not building one there the most appropriate and compassionate response . At least, thats what I’ve been able to sort through as really the bottom line as concerns Christian society.
Had it been about the constitutionality of building it or not… yes, then I would be up in arms and making a fuss. Absolutely they do have a constitutional right to build it there… subject to appropriate zoning codes etc.
Had it been about vengeance, ie, by prohibiting it from being built, Christian society would be exacting revenge against Muslims as a whole, I again would have been up in arms. Vengeance advocated by Christians is clearly in error, even more so, when its done against an entire faith based upon the actions of a few extremists who hijacked the faith label. Even an eye for an eye justice system is better than justice against an entire group based upon the actions of a few. The hard words of Christ dispensing with eye for an eye most assuredly would come down hard against such a course of action taken against an entire group, even if said group were in opposition to Him.
Some in secular society have suggested building it may be an assault on our patriotism, we may be laughed at for being weak, for loosing our status, for “having our noses” rubbed in Islam’s growing influence. Of course, if that is the case… aren’t we pretty weak in ourselves for deriving such a meaning? Have we, as US citizens become so lame, we dont set the tone ourselves, and rather let others do it for us? For Christians, isn’t our power based upon Christ, rather than the principalities and powers of this world?
Thus, ultimately, advocating to build it, or not build it does come down to Christian compassion and mercy… and such often become a tricky deal, when multiple groups are involved. Ie when one exercises compassion towards one group, it can offend, or at a minimum be counterproductive towards another group. @hikerrev looks to Jesus and his relationship with the Samaritans as a model in which we set aside our power and influence, and I think he is right…
I’m 1 degree of separation from folks who died on 911, I know Muslim’s who have suffered much discrimination and harassment post 911. I hear differing opinions on both sides as to how things should progress. Some see the construction as a way to help healing, and others not so much, a few vehemently so.
The end result, its a no win deal either way if one looks at this at an individual level. Otoh Jesus short of railing on the Pharisee’s didnt approach his ministry so much as to groups, but more so as to individuals. Perhaps this is where compassion and mercy really need to be focused, the individual, and thats hard, really hard, as it means letting our guard down, getting our own hands dirty, and admitting there is a whole lot more grey than we really thought there was.
Going individual likely means greater effectiveness too. While no doubt, group awareness through the net and other media is a huge positive, and it can and does direct change… when it comes to compassion and mercy, the affect of a 1:1 contact on anothers heart is magnitudes greater than any legislative or judicial change.
You’re right, as with most things, it’s a tension that we have to live within. We can’t look at it at the personal level, but we have to look at it that way. We are constantly put between the proverbial rock and hard place with issues such as this.
One question I like to ask is, if we put a church 2 blocks away from the Murrah building in OK City, would people bat an eye? Probably not. This leads me to believe that the heart of this issue is not with patriotism, but one (or more) of the following, fear that Christianity can’t stand up to Islam, racism (fear of the other), fear that the US is getting too meltingpotish (which I would concede *could* be a perverted patriotism, but I would move towards racism/ethnicism).
No matter how you slice it, this is a tricky situation for all involved and we as a society may not be mature enough to handle the nuances. Kind of sad, huh?