Qur'ans and Bibles and Mosques, Oh My! - Ryan John

A while back I wrote a blog commentary about how amazed I was about the plans to build a mosque at Ground Zero.

This week I was equally amazed when Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the imam leading the effort to build the mosque, stated that if the location was moved away from the intended site, violence would erupt. Rauf told CNN: “The headlines in the Muslim world will be that Islam is under attack.”

I grew up in a relatively peaceful American era, considering our war-stricken past. However, I always wondered how the country could get to a place where civil war was likely, or a world war was on the brink. I can understand both now, particularly a civil war and here’s why: Let’s say…

1)    Florida pastor Terry Jones goes through with plans to burn Korans on 9/11 anniversary.

2)    The White house and military make continued public stance against this church’s plans and clearly express their opposition.

3)    Muslims protest the Qur'an burning and violence occurs on American soil, furthering tensions between Muslims and Americans.

4)    Since the White house already sided against Qur'an burners, all legal support goes to Muslims and angry American protestors bear the brunt of legal action.

5)    Other radical Christian groups from all over the U.S. join in support of this Florida church, defending their right to freedom of speech and stating that if Muslims can practice freedom of religion, why can’t we practice freedom of speech no matter how offensive it may be.

6)    Angry, patriotic Americans watch as the same government that supports Muslims’ freedom of religion by building the mosque is blatantly ignoring American citizens’ right to freedom of speech, and get fed up. They form militias throughout the country to fight not only Muslim groups, but our own military.

7)    The extremes will recruit the moderate centrists from both sides as violence escalates to war level.

I agree with Sarah Palin, who said the Qur'an burning is insensitive in the same way that building a mosque at Ground Zero is insensitive. The American people are told to be tolerant as Islam practices an American right to freedom of religion, but the American government and media can’t ask Muslims to keep the peace as group of 50 Christian radicals do something … well, radical yet consistent with the American right to freedom of speech?

Meanwhile, General Patraeus is concerned about how this Qur'an burning image will conflict with Muslim morale in the U.S. and overseas. Why isn’t a similar concern for American troop morale expressed with the images of a mosque being built blocks away from ground zero? But the troops are so loyal to their commander that they hardly question it and support whatever effort is in put in front of them.

The United States government needs to be consistent in its stances. They can ask Americans to peacefully allow a mosque to be built, but cannot ask the Muslim community to remain peaceful throughout some American stupidity? Why not just ask the Muslims to peacefully allow a boneheaded demonstration of free speech?

It is religious radicalness from this Florida pastor, BUT I can see how fringe, apathetic Christian Americans could take up with his cause if Muslims are freely revolting with support from our own government.  That’s how I can envision a modern day Civil War.