{"id":67,"date":"2010-08-17T12:15:19","date_gmt":"2010-08-17T12:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/rabbishmuleyunleashed\/2010\/08\/russell-simmons-is-wrong-about-the-ground-zero-mosque.html"},"modified":"2010-08-17T12:15:19","modified_gmt":"2010-08-17T12:15:19","slug":"russell-simmons-is-wrong-about-the-ground-zero-mosque","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/rabbishmuleyunleashed\/2010\/08\/russell-simmons-is-wrong-about-the-ground-zero-mosque.htm","title":{"rendered":"Russell Simmons is Wrong about the Ground Zero Mosque"},"content":{"rendered":"

I still remember, Russell, when you came to my debate with Rev. Al Sharpton, nine years ago, in New York City. You struck me then as a man of warmth and openness. In that spirit I offer you this response to your recent blog postings supporting the Ground Zero mosque and your categorization of those opposing it as being guilty of hatred and bigotry, which strikes me as a bit harsh.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n


<\/font><\/p>\n


<\/font><\/p>\n

For the record, I
\nam a supporter of the mosque being built, but only under two conditions. First,
\nthat its builders consult the families of the Ground Zero dead, who are the
\npeople whose opinion matters most. Second, that the 13-story complex include a
\nmuseum detailing the events of 9\/11 with exhibits explaining the modern abuse
\nof Islamic teachings by extremists and their repudiation by Islam itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

I don’t expect you
\nto agree with my conditions, or with those who oppose the mosque outright. But
\nI do ask that you consider this.<\/span><\/p>\n

We live in a
\nsecular age where religion has been largely repudiated. Sure, people still go
\nto Church and they still celebrate Chanuka and Christmas. But religious values
\nhave ceased to be impactful on their lives. It’s secular values that dictate
\nwhat’s important, from money and fame to material comfort and financial
\nsecurity. How did religion which was once all-powerful  become so
\nmarginal? There are many considerations, but perhaps the most important has
\nbeen religion’s hypocrisy and intolerance. Simply put, when people witness religions
\nbehaving badly they conclude that it’s all a farce. Whether it’s a priest being
\ncaught molesting a child, or a Rabbi being arrested for money laundering, or,
\nmost seriously, an Imam telling his faithful to blow up children, the average
\nperson looks at this and determines that religion is a farce.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which is why it’s
\nso important for the religious faithful, in general, and religious leaders in
\nparticular, to behave with morality, ethics, and sensitivity at all times.<\/span><\/p>\n

But your blog post
\ncompletely ignores the need for religion to behave with sensitivity at all
\ntimes. It makes no mention whatsoever of how Islam might win public opinion
\nback and instead accuses Americans of being bigots.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are bigots
\nin America but Americans are not bigots. There are a hundred mosques in New
\nYork alone and nobody objects. But the average American is souring on Islam not
\nbased on any intrinsic prejudice but based on the violence they constantly read
\nin the newspapers. And yes, I agree with you. They should rise above that and
\nunderstand that the extremists do not define the faith and that the vast
\nmajority of religions Muslims are G-d-fearing and peace-loving.<\/span><\/p>\n

But this is where
\nthe builders of the Ground Zero mosque squandered a unique opportunity to
\nportray Islam in a favorable light, even as you completely let them off the
\nhook.  Given the huge media profile of this particular mosque, the
\norganizers could have showed Americans how wrong they were about Islam. The
\nbuilders could have taken out a full-page ad in The New York Times (they have,
\nit is reported, $100 million for the mosque, and this expense would be tiny in
\ncomparison) announcing their intentions of building an Islamic Cultural Center
\nat Ground Zero and inviting all the families of the 9\/11 victims to the Jacob
\nJavits Center on a specified day to lay out their plans and obtain the families
\nreactions. They could have said that they while they are firm about their
\nintentions of creating an Islamic presence at this hallowed site, their
\nintention in so doing is not offend the families sensibilities but to repudiate
\nthe fanatics who have tarnished the name of Islam and hence, the builders wish
\nto proceed with the greatest sensitivity and understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sadly, Russell,
\nnone of this happened. Rather, it was announced that a mosque is being built
\nadjacent to a giant American cemetery irrespective of the families wishes, that
\nit’s a First Amendment right, and that all those who oppose it are bigots.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fair enough. It’s
\na free country. Say what you want and build what you want.<\/span><\/p>\n

But if you’re
\nintention is to reverse people’s negative impressions of religion in general
\nand Islam in particular, then you’re probably not going to achieve that by
\ntelling ten thousand people who watched their loved ones incinerated at Ground
\nZero, and whose remains are now part of the very air and dust of the place,
\nthat they are no longer victims of a terrible attack, but a bunch of
\ncold-hearted bigots who hate Islam.<\/span><\/p>\n

This, Russell, is
\njust not the way to bring peace and reconciliation.<\/span><\/p>\n

I wish G-d’s
\nblessings for all the good work you do.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
\nhosts ‘The Shmuley Show’ on 77 WABC in NYC. He is the founder of This World:
\nThe Values Network, and is the author, most recently, of ‘Renewal: A Guide to
\nthe Values-Filled Life.’ Follow him on Twitter @RabbiShmuley.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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I still remember, Russell, when you came to my debate with Rev. Al Sharpton, nine years ago, in New York City. You struck me then as a man of warmth and openness. 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