There is quite a bit of commotion over the building of an Islamic Cultural Center near “Ground Zero” in New York. Obviously, by now, everyone understands there is a legal right to build. From an ethical, theological, and psychological standpoint, I find too much logical and reasonable support for both sides of the argument up to this point, to come down for or against. Let me weigh in with a few observations, however.1. Why did the project’s advocates change the name from “Cordoba” to “Park 51″ after it was pointed out that “Cordoba” has strong symbolic meaning for Islam superseding Christianity in Spain through military conquest in the 8th century and becoming the capital seat of the Caliphate?

2. Why didn’t we see any of the “first amendment” protestors out in force during the long drawn out negotiation where St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church continues to be stonewalled by government officials in not being allowed to rebuild their church, actually located at “Ground Zero,” which was destroyed September 11th?

3. When I hear advocates of the construction of the Center saying this is a defining moment for American “tolerance” I have to chuckle…Why isn’t anyone protesting the virtual impossibility of building a new church on a new site in most neighborhoods in LA? This has been going on for quite some time now. If you want to protest first amendment issues concerning the topic of building, come on by my city any weekend and have at it.

4. “Hatred” and “Islamophobia” need to be put to rest when used to describe gracious, thoughtful people opposed to the location of the Center as a matter good form. The instant default to hyperbolic language says much more about a person using this loaded language being well versed in “Alinsky-speak” than it does about logical coherence.

5. Time to retire the “terrorism” in the name of “Islam” vs. abortion clinic murders in the name of “Christianity.”

First, there is no call for violent murder of one’s enemy by Jesus, in his message, or in the Christian Bible. Impossible to support any kind of comparison, because on the Christian side there is nothing there to even consider. With the model and message of Mohammed and the Q’uran, you at least have a debate on your hands.

Second, abortion clinic murderers provided no support either directly or indirectly to being led by Jesus or by his message to kill in his name.

Third, let’s bring scope into question, folks. How many people have been murdered in the “name of Allah” in the last month? The last year? the last 10 years? The last 30 years?

Now, how about abortion providers murdered total? Since Roe vs. Wade (1973) legalized the practice of abortion in America, how many Abortion clinic workers have been killed?

8000?
800?
80?
?

You guessed it…8.

1973-1992?      0
1993?               1
1994?               4
1995-1997?      0
1998?               2
1999-2008?      0
2009                 1
8

Now, yes, even one murder is horrible, but I guess we need a little perspective here on the analogy front, folks.

Oh, and if you try to pull out a “Crusades” card on me, I’m just glad you had to go back 1000 years to find it.