I remember standing in the television aisle at Sams Club and seeing that plane slam into the tower. I burst into tears, and the person I love said gently, “If you want a television set, we’ll get one.” I don’t think he realized what I was watching, but . . .
It’s nine years later. We, as a national, have fallen into that sad state where the few represent the totality. For the tragic deaths on September 11th, we blamed, not just a group, not just a nation, but millions of people who share a religious belief. Today those millions of people, and probably most of the rest of the world, believe that one slightly off-kilter minister who wants to burn the Koran, speaks for all citizens of the United States. He doesn’t speak for me, but no one knows that because my personal code/morals/beliefs are not newsworthy. They are just the thoughts of a (senior) lady.
Should a Muslim mosque be built near the site of the Twin Towers. The United States is a country that permits free enterprise and so, if the group wishing to build the mosque obtained the land and can afford to build the mosque, following building codes and zoning regulations, our general rule is “let it be”. Personally, I think it’s simply a bad choice on the part of the proponents. That area in New York City will perpetually be a bruise on America’s heart. Good taste and good sense would dictate that you not bump into that bruise.
Sometimes circumstances call for a little sensitivity. Since we cannot legislate sensitivity (or morals/ethics), we must simply overlook the idjits that don’t speak or act for all of us.
Amen!:-))
I have taken to unfriending people on FB. Like Fox News, I have the choice to turn it off rather than listen to it. The latest was someone who displayed a banner stating “Only a liberal could turn a terrorist into a victim”.
This brought so many thoughts into my mind. First, that in fact those who become terrorists (especially suicide bombers) have in fact been victimized by others.
But it’s perhaps simpler than that. It seems to be a prevailing sentiment that all Muslims are terrorists. Or to take it even farther, all people with “skin and hair darker than mine” are to be feared.
How I had hoped that we were beyond this.
After browsing the person’s Info before unfriending, I had the thought “Only a Christian could show so little compassion and tolerance for others.”
It makes me sad.
Amendment.
No, I don’t mean that all Christians are intolerant. But some who profess themselves to be “good Christians” certainly are.
I’m with ya, Carolyn. It occasionally gets VERY difficult where I live in East Tennessee because of the prevalence of intolerance toward other beliefs and religions, thoughts, ideas, pretty much anything at times!
Beautifully said, Penni.
I got to thinking about the story of To Kill A Mockingbird. What made the story more about what it is to be human than simply about racial injustice was the relationship between Boo and Scout. Particularly how Scout felt Boo was her friend but still as the neighborhood weirdo everyone was afraid of because he was reclusive and rumored to have stabbed his father. She saw him this way until the end when she stood on his front porch and viewed the world from his point of view. It was in that moment that she understood him and really became his friend. That metaphor of a child opening herself up to another person’s experience just enough is perfect and applies to every relationship. She saw the neighborhood from his front porch not actually inside his house (no one can completely know what it is to be someone else) but she saw just enough of what it was to be him to accept him for who he was. If only every one of us could become like such a child.
I’m not a Christian per se but there is a couple of things I remember Christ taught that apply here.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And “the kingdom of God is within you.”
But what do I know? LOL I have been accused of being a romantic idealist. Oh well. Peace.
ITA!! I just think the whole thing was handled so poorly from the get go and people who don’t know the difference btwn culture and religion vs. ethnocentrism and extremists. *sigh*
Ditto and well said. Burning anything religious is not going to help anyone and just make things worse. Too bad the world is only getting one opinion which I believe greatly differs from the majority of Americans. And when it comes to building a mosque on ground zero, not a great idea but America is the land freedom and opportunity. If you have money you get to do what you want, where you want. I don’t see good things coming from the bulding. I believe it will only be continually vandalizd by closed minded ignorant people like he Koran burning preacher. Just my opinion.
Good post, Penni.