The Ground Zero Controversy - Essay Example

Religion and Introduction: The United s of America, that welcomed all people from across the world to its soil, has been an example of acceptability. People from different creed and religion got settled down in the country. Two major principles concerning with religion in America were, “first the country would have no established national religion; second, people would have the right to speak about religion” (Duncan & Jones 128). These both were mentioned in the First Constitutional Amendment and as per the Constitution each religion in America has got absolute freedom. But when one analyses the recent activities of the state closely after the destruction of World Trade Centre, it can be seen that the government started to rethink on its religious policies. One of the best examples is the recent problem with the construction of mosque at Ground Zero. Ever since the emergence of nation there was a heated question, how much state and religion was separated to each other? Of course many stated the famous quoting of Thomas Jefferson, “the First Amendment built “ a wall of separation between church and state”: Jefferson interpreted the U.S. Constitution to require a version of what his supporters had sought in the heat of campaign” (Hamburger 161-162). Both religion and state were considered as separate entity. But the Ground Zero controversy in America inclined a person think that these two are not separated. The Problem of Christian –Muslim antagonism may be put forward here. The attack on the World Trade Centre was a representation of Muslim antagonism on a Christian country (many Americans consider so). So the state took this issue very serious and the replica of it was seen in the ground zero controversy that put this issue again on the rise. Ground /zero Controversy: The Ground Zero controversy started over the proposed Islamic centre, two blocks away from the Ground Zero at Manhattan where World Trade Centre was located. Wide protests from various parts of America came forth and then it was put on the state’s decision to abandon the proposal. Many protesters charged the accusations against the Imam, Feisal Abdul Rauf. Many commented on the issue of religion and state. Barrack Obama, the present President, in a speech stated the ideals of America and its attitude towards religion by saying, “And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that their government will not treat them differently is essential to who we are” (Obamas remarks about Ground Zero mosque: The transcript). Towards the end of his speech the President speaks, “For in the end, we remain "one nation, under God, indivisible." And we can only achieve "liberty and justice for all" if we live by that one rule at the heart of every great religion, including Islam --- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.” (Obamas remarks about Ground Zero mosque: The transcript). The speech of Obama put him ‘Muslim’ by many media in America. He had to face harsh criticism for his words on Islam. He cherished high ideals of Americanism through his famous speech but in practice it could be seen that the American government sided with the attitudes of those who had the traumatic experience on 9/11 issue in America. Regarding this speech one can understand that the President was actually focusing on religious harmony but to many it was not in America. The president at another occasion had to suggest that it was wise not to speak against people’s fervour. The Ground Zero controversy made a chance to study the relationship of state and religion in America. Issues of the religious institutions that were controlled by the state: Of course in the United States of America many issues were arisen between religion and state. One among them is the case between Jehovah’s witnesses and the state. Jehovah’s witnesses were not ready to salute the American flag and this led for 8 years of controversy between the state and the religion. The court in America at first gave consensus to the religious community. But soon, at many places, Jehovah’s witnesses were persecuted by violent mob in America. Finally the court reworked on its verdict and asked them to mandatory salute the flag. To many during the cold war this group was considered as against patriotism and many Jehovah’s Witness were considered as communists during the second red scare. The state’s supremacy over the religion can be seen at this dispute. Another issue is of constructing synagogues in America by the Jews there. Jews in America, at first wanted state neutrality towards all religion and second they demanded for absolute freedom of religious practices in the state. Of course there was hot dispute between the state and the Jewish religion ever since the time of Jewish settlement in America. The government accepted some of the demands of the Jews and granted permission for the construction of synagogues provided that they accept state’s supremacy over the religion. Are state and church separated? Sure in the first Amendment law of America it is stated that a clear cut separation should be there between the state and religion. In many levels it can be seen that both these are separated. But when analysing at a close level the separation between state and religion are not functioning well. America is the country where many Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and non believers find their home. But the government that is controlled by the Christian majority affirms a fact that the government is with the religion Christianity in its attitudes. In theory the government is impartial but the practices in America state that the separation between state and church is not there in the country. Past and present issues: One can cite so many examples for the conflict between the state and the church. Ever since the founding of the nation, the struggle for power was there between state and religions. Catholicism, Puritanism, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, all tried to amass power from the hands of state but the intervention of the state could control religions attempting to fly over the state. Thus it reveals that conflicts between church and the state existed even in past time whenever the one tried to dominate the other. In analysing the history of America one can find that the country had gone through many disputes mainly between church and state. In the present conflict that invites our grave attention is the disparity that exists between the Muslim religion and the state regarding the creation of the mosque in Ground Zero. Many believe that it will cause for religious conflicts if government intends to go forward with this decision. However, when analysing the past and the present conflicts, one can see that the state’s initiatives to tackle the issues skilfully without paining the religious aspects much. Conclusion: To conclude, one can infer that the power distribution between the church and the state can claim many years of history and it is still continuing. Analysing these issues it is crystal clear that the changing governments have their own limitations but the state controlled almost all issues well. A government should be very careful when dealing with religious matters or else it would bring enemies both from inside and outside the country. It would be better for one to take it account the factors led to the World Trade Centre attack in 2001. When evaluating this incident one can see that the American religions policies may not be acceptable for those who did such heinous crime. Furthermore, one should keep in mind the fact that America is a country that has no established national religion and as such people are free enough to speak about religious freedom which certainly leads to conflicts or disparities. Regarding the conflicts between religion and state in America, one can identify various issues, and among them the most important are the Ground Zero issue, the conflict between the Jehovah Witness and the like. One can conclude by affirming that the conflicts between the state and the church existed in past time and is still continuing but in all supremacy of the state is held high. Works Cited: Duncan, Ann W & Jones, Steven L. Church-state Issues in America Today: Religion and government. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2008. Print. Hamburger, Philip. Separation of church and state. Harvard University Press, 2002. Print. Obamas remarks about Ground Zero mosque: The transcript. The Washington Post Company, 1996-2010. Web. 14 Dec. 10. Read More