No one noticed. The American way of life didn’t come to an end.
Details here. PBS Frontline will cover the controversy next week. Comment from America’s “In All Things”
Remember the “Ground Zero Mosque?” It opened
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Tag Archives: Ground Zero Mosque
Whatever happened to the “Ground Zero Mosque”?
Check out the article on Salon.com.
Here’s what happens if you google it:
I’m not quite so sanguine as Justin Elliott that:
In 2011, the “ground zero mosque” story will probably live on — but primarily on Fox News and Pamela Geller’s blog. It’s unlikely that anyone else will pay much attention ever again.
If it was effective in 2010, there’s no reason to think it won’t be tried in 2011.
Will American values and the US constitution prevail?
President Obama spoke out against the opposition to the Cordoba House last night.
Andrew Sullivan points to a comment by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston:
“During the interview she also asked me about the plan to build a mosque in New York, very close to Ground Zero. I told her it is a sign of the value we have for freedom in this country, and for religious freedom in particular. We certainly do not want to support groups that promote terrorism, but there are many American citizens who are Muslim, and they have a right to practice their faith. Having a mosque near the site of the attack can be a very important symbol of how much we value religious freedom in this country.
I compared the situation to a historical situation in Ireland: During the Easter Revolution the Irish were very careful to protect the rights of the Protestants in the Free State. They did not take back their cathedral or close their churches. Instead, they wanted people to see they believed in freedom of religion.”
More on opposition to mosques
Laurie Goodstein has an article in today’s NY Times that details the growing opposition to mosques throughout the country. She points out that where previous campaigns in local communities to prevent construction of mosques focused on issues like traffic and parking, now the efforts argue that mosques are breeding grounds for Islamic extremism. Their tactics now include speeches and presentations from former Muslims.
In fact, studies show just the opposite.
As she writes:
A two-year study by a group of academics on American Muslims and terrorism concluded that contemporary mosques are actually a deterrent to the spread of militant Islam and terrorism. The study was conducted by professors with Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy and the University of North Carolina. It disclosed that many mosque leaders had put significant effort into countering extremism by building youth programs, sponsoring antiviolence forums and scrutinizing teachers and texts.
A former student directed me to this website after seeing billboards like this on the highway:
Preaching Grace on the Square 