[OPINION] American Conservative Christian advocates for Park51

One of the first things people in this discussion get passionate about is this idea that Ground Zero is “sacred.” Yes, I understand that nearly 3,000 people died there. Yes, I am fully aware that not all of the remains could be found and removed. I would never belittle the enormity of that loss. The problem I have with labeling it “sacred” is that it prevents rational thought as to how best to re-use this land in the future. Were it to remain fallow, as it disastrously has for almost a decade now, the terrorists will have won. They will have effectively created a scar upon the American psyche forever. We always look back, never forward. So far, this “sacred” wound has been allowed to fester in our minds until almost all legitimate uses are denied out of political correctness. Don’t imagine for a single moment that a memorial to the victims is not also a memorial in the eyes of those who committed the heinous acts.

The insipid use of words also inflames. This particular project was well researched, permits granted and community leaders (secular and of faith) were in favor until those opposed began craftily to refer to the center as the “Ground Zero Mosque.” Suddenly, a purely local issue became a national one. This Islamic Center is no more a “mosque” than a chapel makes a hospital a “church.” The planned project is a community center very much in keeping with the concept of a YMCA, to augment the work of the two other, already-established mosques within blocks of this site. It will have an auditorium for arts performances, classrooms for the public to rent as meeting spaces, space for cultural cooking classes and a recreation center, especially designed for those of any faith wherein modesty is a concern (as it should be for Christians as well as Muslims). The issue of the “mosque” comes into play because that is the name given to any place used for communal praying in the Islamic faith. In this case, there will be prayer rooms set aside for this use, making them “mosques.” Would it be that given Christians pray so frequently in worship of the Lord that we would need chapels in all our buildings!

The name suggested for this project (Cordoba House) has also been twisted to inflame. Cordoba was indeed the first area in Spain conquered by the Islamic Empire. But is that really why the name was chosen? I reject that completely. The history of that era was one of conquer, be conquered, conquer again. In all areas of the world, you were either the fly or the windshield. No different in Cordoba. What this area became was a beacon to other areas of the world on how Muslims, Jews and in some cases Christians could live peacefully together and even excel. It remained as such until the Christians of France reclaimed the area and forced all the Jews to flee to the Ottoman Empire (note -- an Islamic state). What better name for a project dedicated to the process of moderate Islam and interfaith understanding?

In all matters, only facts bring wisdom. Passion never does. So here are just a few of the facts:

* The imam spearheading this project has been the imam for 27 years of a mosque just 10 blocks from where this center is proposed.

* The location was not chosen as a symbol of anything other than that a congregant of the mosque owned the property already and that it was conveniently close enough to the founding mosque to augment its needs (Christians, think “fellowship hall”).

* Fifty percent of the Trustees and Board of Directors are and will continue to be, according to charter, non-Muslim, making this truly an “interfaith community center.”

Now that we have some facts, we can use them to override the passion that inflames many. The main argument in support of Cordoba House is the one of moderation in Islam. Commentators, Christians and conservatives scream -- searching the earth -- for the moderates of the Muslim faith. Where are they? Why don’t they denounce terrorism in their name? Why won’t they speak up? Really? Hello! Here is one! His name is Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and he is trying to build a community center in NYC to bring together peoples of all faiths to discuss these issues and to provide a place for moderate Muslims to find their voice without fear of reprisal. He is speaking out! No one is listening -- and worse -- they are trying to silence him.

Christians and conservatives who hold dearly the values that freedom of speech and religion do for their own cause should be ashamed at their stance on this project. The founding fathers that we Christians and conservatives revere came to this country searching for a place to practice their own religion without persecution. Moderate Muslims are no different. Many cannot express tempered views within the totalitarian theocracies of their homelands and flee here for the same opportunities that brought our forefathers.

Jesus said to love our neighbors and the “whosoever” of John 3:16 was never intended to mean “pious white folk who are already Christians.” I submit that we have not only a constitutional mandate to support this project as Americans, but a political one as conservatives who stand on the founding principles and a Biblical imperative given to Christians by the same Lord we want the Muslims to come to love as we do.