Opinion : Thoughts on Park51 : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

Thoughts on Park51

Published on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 5:07 PM MDT

Harry’s hypnosis
Harry Lipsiea

It’s time for the political pundits to find a new topic to examine as the well is dry when it comes to the Park51 controversy. Don’t know what that is? That’s not surprising as many don’t. Park51, formerly known as Cordoba House, has been hailed as the Ground Zero mosque.

When the project was first announced, I must admit I felt a bit uncomfortable. Out of respect to a nation that is still in mourning, why would a married Muslim couple construct a place of worship near the setting of the second biggest loss of casualties on American soil perpetrated by an Islamic group?

I became even more objective to the idea when a mother of a victim who worked in the World Trade Center passionately spoke on the subject. Tears were in her eyes when she declared that it’s going to hurt when looking at Ground Zero and seeing a mosque.

Her words got to me until I found out that the statement was incorrect as she couldn’t possibly see it as the sight at Park51 is two blocks north and not visible from Ground Zero. Instead, it’s on a separate block full of restaurants, churches and office buildings. Park 51 isn’t right next door to Ground Zero or even in the same neighborhood.

I was still uncomfortable with the thought that a mosque would be constructed so close to Ground Zero. I continued to think of the large, grey mosque that could potentially be an eyesore and controversy in the heart of New York City.

On the contrary, the project has potential to be an excellent one for the entire city as it is more of a community center than a mosque. The building, open to everyone, features classrooms, galleries, restaurants, memorial to the victims of Sept. 11, a large prayer room, swimming pool and gym.

As many Americans have a negative view on the religion, could Park51 be positive for the moderate Islamic community? It’s important to remember that the attack on the World Trade Center was perpetrated by a radical Islamic group. Just like any radical group, the acts of Al-Qaeda does not represent the beliefs of all Muslims.

The founding principles of Islam are peaceful, and it’s important that the moderate views of the second largest religion in the world are portrayed. Just as if a radical Christian group would have been responsible for the events on Sept., 11, 2001, the religion is not to blame; instead a few extremist followers are.

These are just a few of the reasons that I don’t oppose the building of Park51. I didn’t lose anyone during the attacks and can’t imagine what it would have been like. I was, however, deeply effected by the attacks as an American. There is nothing that makes me prouder than to declare that I am from the United States: a country that prides itself in freedom of religion.

Harry Lipsiea is a sports reporter for the Sidney Herald. He can be reached at 406-433-2403 |sports@sidneyherald.com

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Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Sidney Herald.

True American wrote on Sep 4, 2010 11:38 AM:

" I totally agree Side Issue!! It would be nice if our American President would stand for traditional American beliefs and freedoms rather then support false religions! "

Side Issue wrote on Sep 3, 2010 4:35 PM:

" I am among the millions of people who do not dispute the "legal right" of these people to build a mosque. I do believe, however, that doing so is a blatent attempt to rub the noses of all Americans in the fact that radical Islamists were able to inflict such a catastrophic blow to the most free and powerful nation in the world.

But aside from the dispute over building the mosque, I think the more frightening issue is our President's actions regarding religion. I have not heard one journalist mention what should scare all Americans, which is the fact that our President, who officially cancelled the White House's observance of our National Day of Prayer, felt the need to recognize the Muslim religious holiday of Ramadan by giving a dinner at the White House where he chose to show his support for building this mosque at the intended location. If he will not observe our National Day of Prayer that celebrates prayer for Christians and other faiths, then it is unconscionable that he held a dinner in observance of Ramadan which celebrates the religion of Islam. It doesn't take a genious to see where his allegiance lies. Talk about a slap in the face!! "

True American wrote on Sep 3, 2010 9:45 AM:

" For those who maybe interested, try this youtube search..."muslims taking over the world"...the videos you find in that search are very interesting. "

Bloody Hek wrote on Sep 2, 2010 5:21 AM:

" You don't know enough about islam my friend. You're going down the same path so many others have. The more I learn about them the more I want them to stay out. By denying them this mosque, there is no way that thier 1st Amendment rights are being infringed upon. (BTW only US citizens should have constitutional rights.) They are still free to worship as they please. They can pick from 1001 other places for thier mosque. They know the controversy they are starting. This is in very poor taste. Would the japs be allowed to build a war memorial next to the USS Arizona Memorial? Or anywhere on US soil? Not likely!! "

R U Kidding Me wrote on Aug 31, 2010 6:30 PM:

" There are no "rights" being violated as far as the right to build a church in a particular place in any city. Of course they Have a "right" to build a church, but the "site" is not guaranteed to any church. This site is in the middle of a business district. This is NOT a residential area in New York City that would serve many Muslims. The only reason they chose this site IS for the purpose of marking territory and to prove a point. Wake up! "

Few Corrections wrote on Aug 31, 2010 9:59 AM:

" Your 3 points seem to be a little incorrect.
1. The Koran wasnt written by one man.
2. The Koran contains many of the same books that a normal Christian bible contains.
Also would like to point out that Sadams statue was torn down by an American Tank. (Upon the request of the people attempting to take it down)

Very interesting article, nice to see that someone cares about things outside of our community. "

RAGS wrote on Aug 30, 2010 3:47 PM:

" A "legal" right to do something and doing the "right thing" are two completely different decisions. Always go with the latter.

It would seem we should expect a liberal writer working for a liberal paper to author something like this commentary. "

to E wrote on Aug 30, 2010 3:13 PM:

" People are protesting our right to start churches and practice our religion every day. Where have you been. Have you not noticed that christian religion has been taken out of the schools, out of the government, out of many organizations? PARK 51 is a muslim organization creating a building because the 2 mosques already in New York won't accommodate all the muslims in New York. It is primarily a place of prayer for Muslims in New York and the surrounding area but they will share it with other New Yorkers. Isn't that nice of them? Other groups and other religions are getting more freedoms and more rights than Christians in America. That is where the anger is coming from. "

E wrote on Aug 30, 2010 10:39 AM:

" People being angered over this is disgusting. Are you all that close minded?

There is a big difference between everyday Islamic people and Islamic extremists.

It is called "Freedom of Religion." How upset would you be if people were protesting your right to start a church of your belief? "

appalled wrote on Aug 30, 2010 9:45 AM:

" I am appalled at our government. This is just another way to squash the values and the morals and the religion that our country was founded on. Our government has been so afraid to offend other nations that it is quickly loosing sight of what our founding fathers were trying to do. It seems that in the process of trying to "do the right thing" our government has forgotten why it was created. Of the people,by the people, and for the people, seem only to matter when the people are minorities. As our president once stated, if you look at the muslims in America, we would be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world. I guess we know where his loyalties lie and it's not with us. It's time for Americans to start standing up for themselves. It's time to make ourselves heard. It's time to stand up and say, we won't take it anymore. If someone from another country doesn't like the way we do things here, then leave. "

3 problems wrote on Aug 30, 2010 6:59 AM:

" 1 the koran was written by 1 man, as he got older, the korans teachings become more radical, and contraditive.
2 the koran instructs that if it contradicts itself, the later is to be followed
3 the koran instructs followers to deceive to promote islam "

TRS wrote on Aug 29, 2010 10:42 PM:

" I won't say that freedom of religion doesn't win here, and isn't equally as important as every other right. They absolutely can build one anywhere they want. The issue should be what are they thinking? If the white house was...hmmm, a phrase that won't get me put on another list...destroyed by Hugo Chavez, and then less than 10 years later, he wanted a statue of himself placed next to where it happened, what message would that send? It was symbolic when Saddam Hussein's statue was unceremoniously torn down, as it should have been. This is a group of people who are apparently living in fear of prejudice and want everyone to know that they are not all the extreme version of the religion, but they can't see the message this sends? It isn't actually "at" the site anyway, but I've always said if you don't want to be stereotyped, break a stereotype. To paraphrase a Collin Quin line, don't let a few million bad apples spoil the bunch. They have every right to build it, now we'll see what kind of judgment they have. Park51? If you're going to sit there and be proud of it, call it what it is. Don't give it names to avoid unwanted attention. "

melvin wrote on Aug 26, 2010 4:44 PM:

" building the mosque near ground zero is a jerky thing to do its tacky mean-spirited. If the mosque is built it opens a huge door for muslims with agendas to use to influence the american way. at first we are attacked head on then with a knife in the back. there should be no sympathy for these people they are evil. If it is built it should have an FBI office inside where all that enter can be fingerprinted and pictured. A little bit of fascism might be prudent. This is psychological warfare. We are under attack! "

appreciative wrote on Aug 26, 2010 4:35 PM:

" Great article. Objective thinking.

We need more research and less inflammatory journalism. "

OK wrote on Aug 25, 2010 7:28 PM:

" I am glad you have stepped out of your sports box, but I think you should jump right back into it.

Are you kidding me, I have a hard time seeing this benefiting all. This mosque should be far away from ground zero. "

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