Religious Freedom

Religious freedom is a tricky thing. People often allow their religious beliefs to blind themselves to the legitimate religious beliefs of others.

When my dad was young, living in central Pennsylvania, there would be fights between the Catholic boys and the Protestants. Today we would think this to be crazy stuff. Yet today, there are many making political hay by ranting and raving against the building of a Muslim religious center near where the twin towers once stood. Forget that the purpose of this center is to prompt religious dialog and tolerance which seems to be lacking in the shrill voices of those who oppose it's construction. My basic question is when did we in America become so bigoted that we are going to condemn the actions of an entire group for the action of few misguided fanatics?

Should we deny the building of Lutheran Churches because of our cooperation with the Holocaust of Hitler and his gang? Should we deprive the Baptist of the right to worship because there are members of the KKK hidden in their ranks? Should Congregationalist be denied their freedoms because of the trumped up Salem Witch Trials of the 17th century? He who is without sin cast the first stone!

I commend the Republican mayor of NYC and the Democratic President of the USA for putting aside cheap political gain and standing up for what this counter considers to be among the essentials-the freedom to assemble and worship without government interference!