My Thoughts on the Proposed Lower Manhattan Mosque

For years I have sat in church and listened to many lessons on forgiveness. During nearly every lesson each teacher has illustrated their lesson by recounting the story of the forgiving Amish community whose children were shot to death by an "English," or non-Amish, gunman.

Indeed, the prompt forgiveness extended to the man who murdered the innocent Amish children has been set as an exemplar for other Christians to follow. A book and movie have even been made in order for all to learn more of their capacity to forgive.

This week in the news there has been much discussion about the proposed establishment of a Muslim mosque in Lower Manhattan near the cite of the Twin Tower bombings. Many people have spoken in outrage and disgust over this. One woman stated in an interview that she spat on the ground in the location of the proposed Mosque. Many politicians have said they oppose it, while in the same breath embracing the 14th amendment which guarantees Americans the right to religious freedom.

I was disappointed that even Mike Huckabee, whose viewpoint I often agree with, spoke out harshly against the mosque.

Listening to the news broadcasts today brought the example of forgiveness that the Amish have set to my mind. You see, what has been lauded most about their story is that the extent of their forgiveness enabled their community to not only not hate the man who shot their children, but to reach out to his family, taking his widow food, hugs and gifts. They even went so far as to contribute to a fund for the shooters family.

One writer shared his thoughts in the article entitled, Why the Amish Forgive So Quickly. He stated:

In mainstream society, retribution is a taken-for-granted right. Around the world, names of deities are often invoked to fuel cycles of revenge generation after generation.

In refreshing contrast, rather than using religion to bless and legitimize revenge, the Amish believe that God smiles on acts of grace that open doors for reconciliation.

I wondered today just how many Christians, whom admire the Amish for their willingness to forgive, may find the capacity within themselves to forgive Muslims for the Twin Tower bombings?

It seems to me, by the hostile reactions to this proposed mosque, that forgiveness has not been extended to all of the Muslims in our country and around the world who had nothing to due with the terrorist attack. Rather, there is much hate, anger and retaliation being aimed at those of their faith.

If Christian Americans were to follow the example of the Amish, they would reach out to their fellow Muslim citizens and extend an olive branch, and offerings that would breach the painful act of terror and reconcile two communities.

With this spirit, Lower Manhattan could become a place where Americans of different faiths could come together to learn about tolerance, forgiveness, grace, and charity, instead of it becoming a symbol and site of religious retribution.