"Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another." - Homer

Let the debate begin.

A Muslim religious group in New York City wants to build a mosque near Ground Zero. We all know what Ground Zero is. It's where Al-Qaeda destroyed New York's Twin Towers and forever changed America. Those of us alive at the time will never forget where we were when we heard the news....where we were when we watched thousands die. Never, ever, ever.

But let's be clear. Not all Muslims are associated with Al-Qaeda. Just as not all American's are KKK. Not all American's are idiots.

We are a melting-pot country. We all have different backgrounds. We all look different. We sound different. Our cultures within the country are different. I would hate to live in a cookie-cutter world.

I realize & understand that for some folks, 9-11 is still too fresh. They can't differentiate between Muslim & Al-Qaeda and the thought of a Muslim mosque near Ground Zero infuriates them. I hope that one day they will see how closely their thinking is to that of Al-Qaeda's and I hope it makes them sick enough to change their minds.

Harsh to hear, isn't it?

Think about it. Al-Qaeda hates America. Hates us so much they want to kill us. They want to destroy us. They want to prevent us from existing.

Don't you think that's a little bit like how these folks feel-- the ones who want to prevent the Muslims from worshiping near ground zero? They want to "prevent" Muslims from worshiping in-that-area.

Our First Amendment-- and let me just say, God bless our forward-thinking forefathers-- says, in part, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof", which means Congress shall not establish ONE religion over all or ANY religion over all (meaning atheists and agnostics and religious are all equal) AND they shall not prevent any religion.

Now, with that said, who knows what state laws are in place regarding building code, zoning ordinances, etc. The State of New York, the City of New York, could have something in place to prevent the actual building from taking place. But no way could they prevent the mosque based on religion.

*sigh*

I don't know if the representatives I've seen on the nightly news stating that building the mosque is a bad idea or supporting the building of that mosque is a bad idea are Christians, but I'm willing to wager a pretty good bet that they are.

And that's what makes me sad. So, so sad. Why are we so judgmental? Why are we so critical? Why are we so exclusive? We're taught the total opposite!!! Can I get another exclamation point? !!!!!!! How can I be part of something that makes me so sad and so sick? Because, in my mind, people with hate in their hearts don't truly have Jesus in theirs. They may proclaim to be Christians. They may proclaim to love Jesus. But their actions speak louder than their words. Anybody with Jesus in their heart is loving, caring, compassionate (and guess what-- there are even folks w/o Jesus in their hears that are more loving, more caring, more compassionate).

Obviously, I have strong opinions about this. What are your thoughts about the mosque at Ground Zero? And remember, I welcome your honest opinion. It's o.k. to disagree. Just know, you're not going to change my mind and I know I won't change yours...