Comment
Comment
re: #193 ralphieboy
Attempts at putting it into rational perspective like Obama’s “they have every Constitutional right to build it even if it ain’t such a swift move” are taken as proof of his lack of resolve.
I think your paraphrasing of Obama’s position is off-base. I think a better summary would be that while he doesn’t want to endorse any specific religious project, that Park 51, and other Muslim building projects across the country, should be treated in the same way as building projects of other faiths, and be allowed to proceed. That showing tolerance and acceptance of our nation’s diversity is critical not only to our national identity, but also strengthens our hand in the war of ideas with our enemies.
Relevant quotes:
“If you can build a church on that site. If you can build a synagogue on that site or a Hindu Temple on that site, then we can’t treat people of the Islamic faith differently, who are Americans, who are American citizens. That is central to who we are. That is a core value of our Constitution. And my job as President is to make sure in part that we’re upholding our Constitution.”
…
“I was not endorsing any particular project. I was endorsing our Constitution. And what is right.”
—-
“As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America. And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are. The writ of the Founders must endure.”
…
“Our capacity to show not merely tolerance, but respect towards those who are different from us –- and that way of life, that quintessentially American creed, stands in stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us on that September morning, and who continue to plot against us today.”
…
“We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus —- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and every culture, drawn from every end of this Earth. And that diversity can bring difficult debates. This is not unique to our time. Past eras have seen controversies about the construction of synagogues or Catholic churches. But time and again, the American people have demonstrated that we can work through these issues, and stay true to our core values, and emerge stronger for it. So it must be -– and will be -– today.”
