Religion and politics - Research Paper Example

GOD Perspectives on Religion & Politics in the United s GOD Perspectives on Religion & Politics in the United States Author’s Name Author’s University Summer 2011 Introduction Recently, there has been a rise in the anti-Islamic sentiment across The United States. In August last year, a fierce debate initiated within the GOP, soon became a national political issue – whether an Islamic community center should be built near Ground Zero. The objective of this report is to study the debate on tolerance of Islamic spread in America particularly in light of the Ground Zero issue. The debate though centered on a clear agenda of protesting the building of “mosque” near the ill-fated land, appears to be a sign of deeply rooted Islamophobia amongst Western cultures. In regards to the subject, the report describes the issue vis-a-vis the multiple perspectives of the American people and the principles of America’s Sacred Ground. It further throws light on the reality vs. what is projected in the mainstream media. Religion and Politics have always crossed their respective lines, however, the interjections in a post-modern world are both intriguing and confusing. Fundamentals of America’s Sacred Ground The sacred foundations of the American system have been a cause of debate between the conservative rights and the liberals left. Debates have often taken place on the meaning, interpretation and reach of the “Religious Clauses” of the First Amendment to the Constitution. In the “Religious Clauses” of the First Amendment have been interpreted by the Supreme Court as (1) the separation of church and state (the “anti-establishment clause” or “establishment clause”) and (2) freedom of religion (“the free exercise clause”). These clauses (particularly (1)) were causes of disturbances amongst the Christian right who believe that the Founding Fathers intended to have a relationship between Christianity, God and the Constitution. On the other hand, the secular left believes that the American founders did not believe that the nation was under one God. Questions such as division between state and church authority or ultimate protection of people’s rights were debated during the time of founding as well. The American founders found their answers primarily in the work of John Locke. According to Locke, a central Enlightenment Era (c1650-1800) philosopher, the liberty and equal dignity of the people is based on the law of the state of nature (a state prior to the formation of societies). The law of the state of nature considers freedom and equality to be legitimate claims to the state. Central to Locke’s political theology was the need to secure people’s civil rights towards tolerance of their religious beliefs, which he thought was the means to create a peaceful society. It was this convergence of theology and secular philosophy in the thinking of the founding generation that made them base the constitution on the principles of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. In order to discourage the abuse of “freedom” (that was the foundation of “from the people, for the people” government) by the American people, the public forum has a framework and principles (Jones). The framework consists of two-tiers, each of which has basic moral perceptions. The first tier deals with matters appropriate for government action such as enforcement of basic law and order while the second tier deals with persuasion and voluntary actions that are intended to be in public eye. The moral principles of first tier are “no harm law” (that no one may harm another in his or her life, liberty or property) and “no hypocrisy law” (that do not do unto others what you would not want done unto you). The moral principles with respect to second tier are “duties” to raise conscience beyond an individual’s wants and to participate in the whole process. The Ground Zero Mosque Conundrum The problem began when in May 22nd 2010, a local community board in Manhattan approved plans to build an Islamic center few blocks away from Ground Zero, the World Trade Center site where thousands were killed by terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. Considering that the terrorists were Islamic religious fanatics, the issue soon gained national importance where many sects of people gave their views on whether the “mosque” should be allowed to build near Ground Zero. The issue, which began as a question of real estate, is seen as a reflection of American people’s deep-rooted fear and often times hatred towards Muslims. Other facets of the issues included suspicion on the country’s President, Barack Obama’s history with Islam and general distrust of immigrants. As in any debate, there were two sides of the coin. The opposers of Islamic center’s location compared the situation with placing “a Nazi center next to the Holocaust museum in DC or a Japan memorial near Pearl Harbor” (LA Times). Republican Sarah Palin voiced her concerns as, "Ground Zero Mosque supporters: doesn't it stab you in the heart, as it does ours throughout the heartland? Peaceful Muslims, pls refudiate," (CBS News). An RNS poll depicted that 60% of Americans opposed the notion and observed building the mosque two blocks from the site of 9/11 terror attacks by Islamic hijackers to be offensive (The PEW Forum). The supporters of building the Islamic center on the other hand debated that firstly, the center was not a mosque but rather a center of Islamic studies and inter-faith dialogue and secondly, they argued that many Muslims were also killed on 9/11 and the terrorist act was an example of extreme religious fanaticism rather than an outcry of the whole Islamic community and thirdly, the center was located at a considerable distance from the Ground Zero site that also had a church and synagogue in the radius of 3 miles. Islamophobia & America’s Sacred Ground Principles I believe that the over-reaction to the building of Park 51 (official name for the Islamic center) is in a way continuation of the age-old America’s Sacred Ground interpretation debate between the Christian right and the Secular left sects of American people. The Christian right claiming that the nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles since laws of Christianity were the only available ideologies to form nation’s framework at the time. The Secular left on the other believe that nation’s founders believed in liberty for all and distrusted religion as the governing power. The current polarization in the political discourse of handling sentiments towards Islam not only divides the country in the degrees of tolerance but also casts a shadow over the fundamental structures and principles of America’s Sacred Ground that principally preach liberty and freedom to all for the pursuit of a good society. A major catalyst in blowing Ground Zero Mosque situation out of hand has been our mainstream media. Conservative pundits on news channel such as Fox (which is one of the most viewed channels in American Television) have criticized the President in being very liberal in handling this particular issue and have suspected his “origins” to be driving this behavior. Glenn Beck, a highly influential TV and radio personality theorized the onslaught of Shariah Law to America by building this mosque (Fox News). The Tea Party movement or the rallies in New York were frequently visited by religious right media personalities that further fueled the conservatives amongst Americans. On the other hand liberal left personalities such as Jon Stewart, Bill Clinton, President Obama all focused on the principles of America’s Sacred Ground that all religions are equal and there should be liberty to practice any religion on any place. In my opinion, the “culture war” going on between the left and right in a highly pluralistic American society is unfortunately not going to be resolved by the principles of America’s Sacred Ground. The reason behind my doubts is that we have come to the point where the nation is fundamentally divided in clarifying the original intentions of the Founding Fathers. It is impossible to go back in time to verify that, hence we will be subjected to a constant standoff between the religious right and the liberal left, each having their definitions of the constitution. Conclusion It has been 10 years since America declared war against terror with respect to the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 that left a huge mark on the mindset of American people. However, the mark left many people fearful of the Islamic community, proof of which was highlighted in the recent controversy generated by the news of Ground Zero Mosque. Thousands of people came to streets on New York and other parts of the country against the decision to build an Islamic center, the same religion as that of the 9/11 hijackers. There were others who condemned the religious intolerance of American people citing that America’s Sacred Ground is laid on the principles of equality, liberty and no hypocrisy. The rise of Islamophobia amongst the people has further deepened the chasm between the conservatives and the secular, causing a culture war. Since the debate has also included different explanations of Founding Fathers’ beliefs, constitutional rights and duties and the ‘religious clauses’ of the First Amendment to the Constitution, it is clear that this debate and sentiments are far from over. Bibliography CBS News. Palin's "Refudiate" Tweet on Mosque Near Ground Zero Draws Fire (for Substance and Style). 19 July 2010. 6 May 2011 . Fox News. 'Glenn Beck': Does Imam Behind 'Ground Zero Mosque' Want to Bring Shariah Law to America? . 24 August 2010. 6 May 2011 . Jones, Ann W. Duncan and Steven L. CHURCH-STATE ISSUES IN AMERICA TODAY. Connecticut: PRAEGER PERSPECTIVES, 2004. LA Times. New York mosque debate splits GOP. 17 August 2010. 6 May 2011 . The PEW Forum. RNS: Poll: Majority opposes mosque near Ground Zero, sees site as 'sacred ground'. 26 August 2010. 6 May 2011 . Read More