-Ground Zero Mosque: The Jewish Response?
by Dr. D ~ August 24th, 2010
- (Image by Getty Images via @daylife)
There are over a million Jews living in NY City and the Jewish community was particularly affected by the 9/11 attacks and even salt has been poured on with the popular Arab urban legend/conspiracy theory that blames it all on them or the Israelis. So you would expect that the Jewish community in New York would have a definite opinion on the the ‘Ground Zero’ Mosque?
Apparently they do but they are divided over the issue just like the rest of America.
Early on Abe Foxman and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) came out against the mosque and this was the first Jewish voice that was initial heard on the matter at least nationally. Now former NY Mayor Ed Koch has weighed in in support of the Muslim center following the lead of current Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Mr Koch quoted from a letter sent by President George Washington to the Jews of Rhode Island:
May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
Mayor Koch would like to extend the same blessings to the Muslim community and so would apparently at least 10,000 other Jewish folks in New York who in just 24 hours have signed on to a petition online sponsored by J Street in support of religious freedom.
Response: The Jewish folks in New York have every right to question the building of the mosque considering the way they have been treated by the Muslim community at times. Yet they are far more supportive of it than the general American public. Kudos should go to them for their deep support for freedom of religion and the American Constitution.
If the mosque does get built it will be very interesting to see if imam Feisal Abdul Rauf actually follows through and has somewhat of a outreach in the facility to other religionists including Jews. I must say that I doubt his sincereity in creating bridges since he seems to be forcing the mosque down everyone throat including the 9/11 families even though 70% of the country is against it.
He doesn’t seem to be trying to accomodate others and bring healing to the community as far as I am concerned. It is particularly offensive and telling that he plans to dedicate the new mosque on the 10th anniversary of the attacks- September 11, 2011. *Top of the Blog
August 24th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
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August 25th, 2010 at 11:25 am
You have accurately quoted my commentary in which I cited the exchange of correspondence between the founders of the Touro synagogue in Rhode Island and President George Washington.
I believe the right of Muslims to build a mosque wherever a church or synagogue can be built must be defended under the First Amendment to the Constitution. However, I also believe that it would be insensitive to build a mosque near Ground Zero and that an effort by private individuals – not government – should be made to find a new home for the mosque. If the mosque supporters do not wish to change the location, their right to remain must be defended. Those who want to express their opinion peacefully, pro or con, have an absolute right to do so under that same First Amendment.
August 25th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Thanks Mayor Koch for the complete statement and clarification of your view. Actually I am in complete agreement with you on this issue.
August 25th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I agree to freedom of religion but there are some limitations that must be considered. When anyone of any religion wants to build anything in any location, people can oppose it for a variety of reasons. Let’s say an existing church found out that someone wanted to build a sex shop next door to the church in order to sell sex toys and show X rated movies. Would church members oppose this at a city council meeting? I would hope so. I wouldn’t say they couldn’t have their shop but I would want them to build it far away from the church. Building a megamosque at ground zero where Muslims carried out jihad against innocent victims should be opposed in similar fashion. Religious freedom gives them the right to have a mosque in America but common sense and New Yorkers should encourage them to build elsewhere.
Those who understand prophecy well, know that the Scarlet Beast will be Islamic and that Babylon the Great is most likely the New World Order. Both are on our doorstep. We must oppose those who intend to implement Shariah law in America as long and as fiercely as possible. We must not allow our constitution to be destroyed or made null and void. We must stay on top of these issues and fight back against the kingdom of darkness despite accusations of racism and intolerance. We must be careful because our laws are being used against us. Unfortunately God is allowing this to happen. This is a wake up call for God’s people to repent! Anyone with enough Bible knowledge can look at the news and see we are suffering the curses of the law. If God’s people won’t repent, pray for precise selective judgment and that those who do repent will be spared the wrath of God!