08-23-2010, 12:49 PM
Yeah, because Islam was the only oppressive and intolerant religion 
Seriously though. What makes the issue so hard is that ground zero is no longer a "neutral area" as it were... it carries a history and symbolism all its own. At this point it's impossible to build anything casually on it. I bet no one would want anything blase like a mall or a parking lot be built on it either
I disagree that building a mosque is an "insult" to New Yorkers; I believe only a small minority of Muslims would consider 9/11 a "victory of Islam" and a majority would see it for the horrid event it was. But what I will agree with is that given the kind of history the place has for that city, it's better to build something that will more universally capture that spirit.
Seriously though. What makes the issue so hard is that ground zero is no longer a "neutral area" as it were... it carries a history and symbolism all its own. At this point it's impossible to build anything casually on it. I bet no one would want anything blase like a mall or a parking lot be built on it either
I disagree that building a mosque is an "insult" to New Yorkers; I believe only a small minority of Muslims would consider 9/11 a "victory of Islam" and a majority would see it for the horrid event it was. But what I will agree with is that given the kind of history the place has for that city, it's better to build something that will more universally capture that spirit.
PS. If you can, try your hand at giving some of the others a bit of feedback. If you already have, thanks, can you do some more?