When Shuls Were Banned in America and Other Thoughts
In the 17th and 18th century, Jews had to get a court order to build a synagogue in NY and Connecticut. Will it be the same today? What have we learned in 350 years? Apparently nothing at all.
We think it’s fine to tell the Muslims to leave, to walk away, to build their Mosque “somewhere else”. What’s the big deal? The fact is that we have never succeeded in freedom by giving in to bullies. We follow the Constitution.
Emotional outbursts or your feelings will not change our law. We hang everything we are as a nation, our pride and our freedom, on our founding documents. In fact, the Teabaggers love the Constitution so much, they wear it on their sleeve. They don’t know what it actually says, however.
The Bill of Rights states:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”This small yet powerful statement was made by Thomas Jefferson as a shortened version of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom adopted in 1785. In part:
“We the General Assembly of Virginia do enact that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.”
I looked at all the reasons for This Mosque at This Place. I saw that this Imam has had a mosque in Manhattan for almost 30 years, just 12 blocks from the WTC. I listened to his message and then listened to those who oppose him. I’ve read articles. I’ve watched TV shows and at the end of it all, none of that mattered. Not my feelings and not yours. Only the U.S. Constitution.
There is no genuine freedom of religion if we cannot express all religious conviction. If you want this freedom to pray as you wish which includes not praying at all, than you have to give it to your neighbor. Because today they do this to the Muslims, but tomorrow it will be you.