In recent months, controversy has been mounting over the proposed building of a Muslim community center a few blocks from the September 11 terrorist attacks.  The proposed site, called Park51, will resemble a YMCA or Jewish Community center, containing a pool, auditorium, and a prayer room.  Politicians, especially Republicans, have rallied in opposition to the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque,” a proposed structure which is neither a mosque nor located at Ground Zero, hoping it will help them gain ground on the Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections.

 The debate over Park51 is almost completely devoid of factual arguments, as those who oppose the mosque oppose it solely because they believe it to be an issue of sensitivity.  As Sarah Palin put it, “To build a mosque at Ground Zero is a stab in the heart of the families of the innocent victims of those horrific attacks.”  What Palin and other conservative leaders fail to mention is that sensitivity by itself is not a valid counterargument.  The memory of September 11 is still understandably painful in the hearts and minds of many Americans.  But to essentially disregard the First Amendment to avoid the remembrance of a dark day in American history would be far more damaging to our society.  

 There is also a not-so-subtle current of religious intolerance and hate that has spread from New York City across the country.  Radical pastor Terry Jones’s planned Quran burning on the ninth anniversary of 9/11 and the arrest of a man for punching a Muslim store clerk are two of the many despicable acts of hatred and violence.  This detestable intolerance diminishes the highest ideal of religious freedom that is embodied in the United States Constitution.  It also validates Bin Laden and Al Qaeda’s claim that the United States is at war with Islam.  Looking at the events of the past months, that statement is disturbingly accurate.  It is these actions, not the mosque proposal, that do a great injustice to those who lost their lives. 

 The clear double standard that exists for Islam is directly tied with this issue.  Clearly, there would be no controversy if a Christian or Jewish organization was constructing a building near Ground Zero.  The double standard arises from the association many people draw between terrorism and Islam as a whole.  Faulting the religion of Islam for the terrorist attacks on 9/11 would be like blaming all Christians when a maniac kills an abortion doctor.    

 The fact of the matter is that there really is no valid or legitimate argument against the proposed community center.  Such a center would help to promote religious tolerance, something that this nation is clearly lacking when it comes to Islam.  And as the anniversary of that September morning nine years ago approaches, it would be nice to know that when faced with difficult issues, this nation falls back on its traditional values instead of throwing them away.