By Steve Thompson
There’s been plenty of controversy and plenty said about the proposed mosque near the hallowed site of ground zero in New York. Now the pendulum has swung a bit with a Florida pastor who was preparing to burn copies of the Quran. Interestingly, as of this writing, the pastor has backed off on his idea after reaching an agreement with local muslims who will travel to New York and appeal for a change in the site of the proposed mosque. Cooler heads may yet prevail.
Still, the fact remains that both the property owners in New York, and the pastor in Florida, have the constitutional right to go forward with their plans. It’s legal to build on your own property (although getting more and more difficult, just try it in Chico), and it’s also legal to burn a book. Legally there’s no real challenge to either of them.
But sometimes there is something to be said for sensitivity to others. Building a mosque at Ground Zero is insensitive to millions of Americans who consider it sacred ground. Burning the Quran is likewise insensitive to millions of followers of Islam. Neither action would bring enlightenment or peace to our nation. Neither does any good for anyone other than to prove that they have the ability to do something that offends people.
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