When Walls Destroy Credibility
In 1961 East Germany built the Berlin Wall to keep East German citizens from escaping the tyranny of Communism in the East to Freedom in the West.
When they built this wall the East Germans lost any credibility they might have had to extoll the virtues of Communism. No one would believe them because they had to keep their citizens isolated behind walls from opposing ideas.
Credibility is a fragile thing.
Now we have an Islamic Cleric – Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf – who wants to build a Mosque within rock throwing distance of Ground Zero where the Twin Towers were brought down and more than 2,700 people were murdered by Radical Islamic Terrorists on September 11, 2001.
The Imam says he wants to build this Mosque as an outreach in the name of Peace and Understanding. He states his goal is that Christians and Jews can learn to accept Islam and we can all live in mutual tolerance and harmony.
I have a question Imam Feisal Adbul Rauf. To build credibility for your stated mission, will you support the building of Christian Churches and Learning Centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Amman, Jordan? How about within a few hundred feet of your Holy sites in Mecca and Medina? That way Muslims could learn tolerance and understanding of the Christian faith.
I am told Islam does not allow Christian Churches in Saudi Arabia or Jordan. What is your position on this?
It seems to me that Islam has built something very much like the Berlin Wall around many Islamic countries and won’t allow its citizens to even look at a Bible or discuss Christianity. This begs the question: Is Islam afraid of its followers learning about Christianity?
When you demand that we allow you to build a Mosque in the name of tolerance while Islam denies the same tolerance to Christians and Jews, you lose your credibility.
This is not about hatred, and we do not hate peace loving Muslins. This has everything to do with the small percentage of Muslims who are determined to impose their own violent image of Islam and Sharia Law. They don’t want to co-exist in peace. They have one non-negotiable demand: Accept their view of Islam or die.
It also has to do with credibility, Imam. When you demand to build your Mosque knowing it will further divide people, we just don’t believe your motives are to promote peace and understanding.
In this matter Imam, you have no credibility with the majority of Americans.
………Bob
