Celebrate religious freedom and diversity

As we ignite the barbeques in the backyards and enjoy the fruits of our labor- the hundreds of pounds of hamburger and hot dogs - on the Fourth of July, let us see why the bombs or fireworks burst in the air … the freedoms we enjoy and defend daily in this country.

One of the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted is freedom of religion.  There is no state religion and the state can’t control the way the people  worship in this country.  The original colonies grew from groups that came here to escape religious persecution, and because of this diversity, we became a unique experiment in human relations. Since 1776, the feeling still perseveres.

A case in point was when in late May, a Manhattan community board backed a proposal to build a Muslim community center near the World Trade Center.  According to a story in the New York Times by Javier C. Hernandez, many families of Sept. 11 victims fervently opposed the proposal, saying they were offended by the idea of building a prayer space so near the site, and that building a tribute to Islam so close to the World Trade Center would be insensitive.

More than 100 people, including children, testified in the four-hour hearing, which was punctuated with angry words and signs. The board’s vote was advisory — it did not have the power to scrap plans for a center — but it was seen as an important barometer of community sentiment. The proposed center, called the Cordoba House, would rise as many as 15 stories two blocks north of where the twin towers stood. It would include a prayer space, as well as a 500-seat performing arts center, a culinary school, a swimming pool, a restaurant and other amenities.

The group behind the project, the Cordoba Initiative, is seeking to make major structural changes to the five-story building at 45 Park Place, which was built in the late 1850s in the Italian Renaissance palazzo style. More approvals and funding issues still need to be resolved, but the basic issue of religious freedom and diversity was confirmed once again.

Ray Stevens, noted for his silly, but popular songs, also had a song, “Everybody’s Beautiful.”  A line that still rings true, “Everyone is precious in His sight, yellow, black or white.  Jesus loves the children of the world.”  While it is true that the people who committed the crimes of 911 and the Twin Towers were Muslim, not all Muslims are radical terrorists.  The pain of the events that day continues, and perhaps in the spirit of religious freedom and diversity as symbolized in the new Muslim community center, we as Americans, can become a stronger country tolerant of different religious view s and thoughts.  Time will tell.

Peace be you with always,

Rev. Paul Abernathy

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” -2 Peter 1:2

Contact Paul Abernathy at paulabernathy@gmail.com.

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