Religious Landmark
As this week began we all heard about the "controversial" Islamic center and mosque proposed near the September 11th, 2001 Ground Zero location and how it stirred quite a bit of response. And I began to wonder. How do we, as Freemasons, connect with this story?
Without telling the same old points of what is needed to become a Freemason let us just jump to the point about our belief in a Supreme Being. It is one of the most important ideas our organization sets forth. That we all agree about an Entity, but that we don't have to agree on what or who the Entity is. Remember, the belief of a Supreme Being is not for the Lodge or the Brethren. It's for ourselves. To hold ourselves accountable for our actions and decisions.
It is our individual belief in our God, our Jehovah, our Zeus, our Allah, our Ra, Ahura Mazda, Brahma, Viracocha, or Almighty Father that allows us the strength to face our individual challenges. It is Whom holds us responsible to our vows and our oaths. Our Supreme Architect is exactly that, Supreme and ours. And when I sit in Lodge I know that not everyone thinks about faith the same as I do. That leads me to the point that we do not speak about religion in the Lodge.
So, when I heard about the mosque to be developed a couple of short blocks away from Ground Zero and all the commotion surrounding it I began to wonder. How would our Founding Fathers approached this incredible situation?
With Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States
This is the FIRST amendment of our Constitution. Numero uno. (And no, the Constitution does not state English as our National language. Nor that we should all speak American...cue sarcasm now.)
If Congress can't make a law for or against any religious establishment or exercise, then how can we as civilians? I don't believe we can. Don't get me wrong, there are actually times when the government has stepped in on religious functions or situations. Think David Koresh and the Branch Davidians or Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple. You might even consider the Salem Witch Trials.
Right, wrong or indifferent, there have been times the government has investigated certain religious groups to confirm their legitimacy and practices. Many of these groups faced allegations of violence, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and polygamy (an often practiced religious ideal prohibited in all 50 States). But for the government to request the Landmarks Preservation Commission of New York to review the building in question hoping to receive Landmark status so that the building could not be redeveloped seems so irresponsible. So naive. So callus. So ignorant.
If a group wants to convert a property into an Islamic community center and mosque, I say, "let them". I don't believe we shouldn't care where they want to do it. At least not because of the type of religious organization they are. According to the first amendment we ALL are allowed to practice what we want, where we want.
But mind you, for every action there is a reaction. And thus, if this groups wants to move into that area they better be prepared for a lot of religious intolerance and challenges. And a lot of upset "tolerant" folks too. September 11, 2001 was a day American People (New Yorker's) will never forget and to this day we still become very emotional about it. So, equally, the Islamic group redeveloping this building must be prepared to be tolerant and seek understanding from others as well.
We must seek to understand before we can be understood
There is a greater concept here. A greater challenge. A Masonic challenge if you will.
To be better. To make us all better people. It is not a simple task; and for most of us we won't even try to undertake it.
It goes by the name of education. To learn a new language is difficult. To learn a new religion is mind blowing. It is incredibly challenging. Listen, no one is asking you to change your faith or your views. Just to learn. To try and open your mind, your eyes and ears to the concepts and beauty of another faith. You're NOT converting! Relax. You would just be making your Good self, Better. You would be making the world better. You would be living proof that the work of our Founding Fathers was sublime and square work. And, you would be thinking as a well educated spirit.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardan has been quoted as saying, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
Let's us strive for that position and be a spiritual being having a human experience and do what is right. Stand up for what so many have died for. Our rights as American Citizens. The right to exercise our religion freely.
Now, take it one step further and stand up for the rights of someone else to practice their own religion freely. No matter its location.
Without telling the same old points of what is needed to become a Freemason let us just jump to the point about our belief in a Supreme Being. It is one of the most important ideas our organization sets forth. That we all agree about an Entity, but that we don't have to agree on what or who the Entity is. Remember, the belief of a Supreme Being is not for the Lodge or the Brethren. It's for ourselves. To hold ourselves accountable for our actions and decisions.
It is our individual belief in our God, our Jehovah, our Zeus, our Allah, our Ra, Ahura Mazda, Brahma, Viracocha, or Almighty Father that allows us the strength to face our individual challenges. It is Whom holds us responsible to our vows and our oaths. Our Supreme Architect is exactly that, Supreme and ours. And when I sit in Lodge I know that not everyone thinks about faith the same as I do. That leads me to the point that we do not speak about religion in the Lodge.
So, when I heard about the mosque to be developed a couple of short blocks away from Ground Zero and all the commotion surrounding it I began to wonder. How would our Founding Fathers approached this incredible situation?
With Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.Read it again.
This is the FIRST amendment of our Constitution. Numero uno. (And no, the Constitution does not state English as our National language. Nor that we should all speak American...cue sarcasm now.)
If Congress can't make a law for or against any religious establishment or exercise, then how can we as civilians? I don't believe we can. Don't get me wrong, there are actually times when the government has stepped in on religious functions or situations. Think David Koresh and the Branch Davidians or Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple. You might even consider the Salem Witch Trials.
Right, wrong or indifferent, there have been times the government has investigated certain religious groups to confirm their legitimacy and practices. Many of these groups faced allegations of violence, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and polygamy (an often practiced religious ideal prohibited in all 50 States). But for the government to request the Landmarks Preservation Commission of New York to review the building in question hoping to receive Landmark status so that the building could not be redeveloped seems so irresponsible. So naive. So callus. So ignorant.
If a group wants to convert a property into an Islamic community center and mosque, I say, "let them". I don't believe we shouldn't care where they want to do it. At least not because of the type of religious organization they are. According to the first amendment we ALL are allowed to practice what we want, where we want.
But mind you, for every action there is a reaction. And thus, if this groups wants to move into that area they better be prepared for a lot of religious intolerance and challenges. And a lot of upset "tolerant" folks too. September 11, 2001 was a day American People (New Yorker's) will never forget and to this day we still become very emotional about it. So, equally, the Islamic group redeveloping this building must be prepared to be tolerant and seek understanding from others as well.
We must seek to understand before we can be understood
There is a greater concept here. A greater challenge. A Masonic challenge if you will.
To be better. To make us all better people. It is not a simple task; and for most of us we won't even try to undertake it.
It goes by the name of education. To learn a new language is difficult. To learn a new religion is mind blowing. It is incredibly challenging. Listen, no one is asking you to change your faith or your views. Just to learn. To try and open your mind, your eyes and ears to the concepts and beauty of another faith. You're NOT converting! Relax. You would just be making your Good self, Better. You would be making the world better. You would be living proof that the work of our Founding Fathers was sublime and square work. And, you would be thinking as a well educated spirit.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardan has been quoted as saying, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
Let's us strive for that position and be a spiritual being having a human experience and do what is right. Stand up for what so many have died for. Our rights as American Citizens. The right to exercise our religion freely.
Now, take it one step further and stand up for the rights of someone else to practice their own religion freely. No matter its location.
posted by R.:W.:Brother Kleiner at 10:20 PM
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