Ruminations
Submitted by daniel.budd on Wed, 08/18/2010 - 1:58pm.
Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu,
Buddhist, sufi, or zen. Not any religion...
I belong to the beloved, have seen the two
worlds as one and that one call to and know
first, last, outer, inner, only that
breath breathing human being. (Coleman Barks, trans.)
There is a lot of hot air going around about "the mosque at Ground Zero." Critics are calling it an affront, disrespectful, even an outrage. Some are even comparing Saudi Arabia to the U.S., saying that when SA allows a Christian church to be built there, then we will allow a mosque at GZ. Duh?
The planned Islamic Community Center won't even be visible from GZ. It will be two blocks north on Park Place, surrounded by the usual NYC fare: electronics stores, porn shops, restaurants, churches, offices, etc. It's promoters are moderate Muslims, who see it as a gesture of peace and interfaith cooperation - as a counter to the crazed fanaticism of the violent fundamentalists.
To lump all Muslims into the small container of their suicide-bombing minority is like saying all Christians are the same as the anti-choice clinic bombers and doctor murderers. It's not just unfair, it further fuels tensions and, to my thinking, is just plain racist.
I say build the Center. Let Rumi's voice be heard at the groundbreaking. Let the healing truly begin.
Buddhist, sufi, or zen. Not any religion...
I belong to the beloved, have seen the two
worlds as one and that one call to and know
first, last, outer, inner, only that
breath breathing human being. (Coleman Barks, trans.)
There is a lot of hot air going around about "the mosque at Ground Zero." Critics are calling it an affront, disrespectful, even an outrage. Some are even comparing Saudi Arabia to the U.S., saying that when SA allows a Christian church to be built there, then we will allow a mosque at GZ. Duh?
The planned Islamic Community Center won't even be visible from GZ. It will be two blocks north on Park Place, surrounded by the usual NYC fare: electronics stores, porn shops, restaurants, churches, offices, etc. It's promoters are moderate Muslims, who see it as a gesture of peace and interfaith cooperation - as a counter to the crazed fanaticism of the violent fundamentalists.
To lump all Muslims into the small container of their suicide-bombing minority is like saying all Christians are the same as the anti-choice clinic bombers and doctor murderers. It's not just unfair, it further fuels tensions and, to my thinking, is just plain racist.
I say build the Center. Let Rumi's voice be heard at the groundbreaking. Let the healing truly begin.