Islam at Ground Zero: A Meal Instead of Protest
Many have weighed in on the Cordoba House, the Islamic Center that will be built two blocks away from Ground Zero saying that building an Islamic center close to Ground Zero would be insensitive. I can understand why this attitude exists, as thousands of people around the world lost loved ones on 9/11 due to senseless acts of violence.
As an American, I remember that day clearly. Like most, I remember where I was when I found out. I recall watching the towers collapse. It seemed that in that moment our entire nation was silent, as together we experienced a collective ache. Years later Ground Zero has become a sacred site representing the lives lost on that sunny and clear September morning.
It is understandable why some feel building Park 51 is insensitive. Yet the conversation about Park 51 has taken an ugly turn. It has moved from a conversation about insensitivity to a conversation characterized by baseless accusation, fear mongering, name-calling, anger, and division. This adolescent behavior has been pouring out from both sides.
Within all of this, there may just be something slightly more important to consider. That is the role that the church is called to play.
In Wilson, Wisconsin; Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Santa Clara, California, and Mayfield, Kentucky there are currently organized groups (mostly Christians) who are gathering together to oppose the construction of mosques. In Temecula, California a pastor openly stated his opposition to the building of a mosque near his church building. He predicted confidently that there would be a “confrontational atmosphere” if the mosque were built, for he does not want to “see their influence spread.”
All of this has me troubled and saddened. I am troubled that a fellow pastor would react so strongly and boldly toward people of different faith. Some may want to immediately begin speaking in broad terms about Sharia Law, violence, or links to this or that group connected to Islam. But as followers of Jesus, if we begin there we begin at the wrong place.
It seems that the response of Christians toward the construction of mosques in the United States bears little reflection of the Kingdom of Heaven and much about national security and nationalism (two things Jesus was not concerned about). The rhetoric and protests reflect fear, anger, bigotry, and unforgiveness. None of these are from Jesus.
We are citizens of a kingdom that Jesus said, "is not from this world." Our first allegiance must be to this kingdom, which call us then to think differently. Given this, a central question we as Christians have to ask is, “How am I living out the love, hope, and redemption of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven with regard to this controversy?”
Would Jesus protest or have a meal with Feisal Abdul Rauf? I think Jesus would have a meal. He ate with sinners, hookers, and tax collectors. The religious asked, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" They said this because tax collectors were considered traitors who sided with and supported the evil empire of Rome, they were a threat to the security of Israel. Sinners were unclean and were a threat the legalistic religiosity that some had bought into. Jesus’ meals were scandalous. How scandalous would it be in the eyes of some for a pastor, or any Christian, to have meal with the imam of the Cordoba House?
As followers of Jesus we need to stop protesting and sit down at the dinner table. We would do well to start the dinner conversation by apologizing to those of whom we have spoken ill. We must reach out and confess that our words and attitudes have been toxic and damaging. We need to ask forgiveness for painting an inaccurate picture, and admit that we spread much information while having little true knowledge regarding what we speak of.
Then perhaps we have could have a meal where we can love as Jesus loved, serve as Jesus served, and allow our hearts to be rooted in the Kingdom of Heaven. Perhaps, if we can do this together we may just see greater peace than we could ever imagine.