I recently watched a CNN Special with Soledad O'Brien, focusing on a small town in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Upon the weekend of commemorating 9/11, I found it appropriate to watch this special that was dealing with intense opposition to the building of an Islamic mosque and community center in the small town. People were outraged that these "Muslims" were being allowed such a large plot of land to have something that should be a basic human right: the right to worship in a safe place. These Muslims had been in this community for decades, and were both neighbors and co-workers, as well as friends to the people interviewed in the special. They were the target of hate crimes, and the ignorance of these people in Murfreesboro nearly derailed the entire construction of the new Mosque.
I found the special to be both upsetting and informative. I did not realize ignorance was still so rampant in America, despite the fact that I do come from a small town where it is in abundance. I suppose that goes to show it doesn't just stop there, it extends to all races and creeds, as well as socioeconomic status, across the board. It was an awful feeling having to watch the Muslims of Murfreesboro endure so much hatred and pain, simply for wanting to practice their religion in a more conducive space. I also found it informative in the sense that, although it was difficult to watch at times, the people of Murfreesboro in opposition to the mosque were not merely stupid, they were intolerant and uninformed as well. It was a classic example of misquoting documents meant to be interpreted, not taken literally (i.e. the Constitution). People have been cowering behind the false pretense that things are "unconstitutional" for decades, which brings an interesting point to light. Our forefathers and authors of the Constitution were not clairvoyant, and had no idea the events that would be taking place in today's society. They lived in the age of the Anglo-Saxon male and the musket, and were progressive for their time in the thought that everyone should have the ability to practice religion freely. The people of Murfreesboro are hiding behind Christianity, claiming it to be the way of the United States, when it is clearly stated in the constitution that they so dearly loved to quote,
"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."
The Muslim community of Murfreesboro is a well-established one, and has been there for decades. Why is it, that after 10 years, people are still using "Muslim" as a synonym for "Terrorist?" It is both ignorant and shameful to use these words interchangeably. Religious extremists exist in every religion, whether it is one of the "Big 3" or a smaller sect, and on the same token there are people who believe in only the good while casting out the bad. Some Muslims interpret the Sharia differently, just as the bible is open to interpretation by Christians and Jews. I, being a person without faith of any kind, find it wonderful when people use their religions for the betterment of humankind, rather than using it as a weapon against your peers and members of your communities. After all, doesn't the bible say "Thou shalt love thy neighbor"?
What kind of view of America is this perpetuating to the rest of the civilized world? Are we ready to fight over anything, or are we willing to put preconceived notions aside to work together in pursuit of a solution, rather than another problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlqz3e9OrA
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