9/11 and those who won't let the collective get some closure

It started a bit reflection, ended a bit Theology Corner, but it always happens to my with this particular day...

I am done with my grief. I am ready to move forward. I said so last year on the first anniversary of the event in which I was able to watch footage of it all without hot tears streaming down. Last year I was able to discuss it with my niece, who was barely 3 years old at back then, for the very first time, because I wanted to do it with a clear sense of history, without chocking or sobbing.







It doesn't mean that I will forget the clothes that I was wearing on that day, or the fact that Lysandra dug her nails deep into my left arm as she screamed "oh my God there's another plane coming" as we watched a live feed. And I'm still grateful to God that the initial word that escaped my mouth after measuring act and consequence was "mercy."







Yes I went through the motions. The cursing, the raging, the wishing the US Military will change the landscape of whatever country was behind it forever... the attempt at understanding a a new war that was to be waged that is tinged with a religious aspect that the Western World does not seem to understand completely, the quiet mourning for people I didn't know, that the world didn't know and yet in an instant, we all had but one degree of separation. I've witnessed as through the years it has all become a note on political landscape, yet another reason to play the blame game every four years. I also saw the heart of a city catch it's beat again, never stopping, unbreakable. I'm just glad that through all this, "mercy" stayed with me.







Which brings me to the latest point of contention and you know this is coming. "Park 51 Project" was going to take center piece on my little musing today, until it's crazy brother "International Burn a Koran Day" reared it's ugly head in my own backyard.







Before anyone starts thinking how the hell can I raise two disparate things to the same level, well I was never good at math, but one thing that I really liked about numbers it that they all had a lowest common denominator. At the heart of the matter of these two separate issues lies a simple truth: just because you are granted to do something, doesn't mean you have to, doesn't make it right.







Lots of people have risen up to criticize president Obama on his declarations about Park 51 Project (that's how it's called although it is AKA Ground Zero Mosque). Obama might not be my cup of tea as many know, but I will grant him the fair chance to go over ALL his words in the matter. I will paraphrase boys and girls since you are smart enough to look up your sources, The President granted the right to build, but also declined to comment on the wisdom behind the decision.







Everyone knows that nothing will stand if the ground is not ready and although NYC rises on a bedrock, the emotional landscape is not ready, not yet, because the collective has not found their peace.







My advise to the people behind Park 51, build it if you must, but build it as a bridge, open it to Jews and Christians and openly condemn those who thirst for violence. In order for all to heal, you can't keep your religion and your intentions veiled from the city (ALL puns intended). If you have to build it there, then do so and preach it hard, for the world to hear:



"Oh man kind , you where created from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one and other. Truly the most honored of you in Allah's sight is the greatest of you in piety. Allah is all knowing, All aware." The Quran 49:13



It is time, in the best interest of all, that moderate Islam articulates heavily and vehemently their opposition to the radicalization of their religion. I would have given my right arm to hear the words Mecca condemns you, the Prophet abhors you and Allah will show no mercy in relation to Osama bin Laden back then, or even now. That alone would have won the war on terror. It is the challenge to those behind Park 51, they owe it to us all, to live by their book in it's purest undiluted interpretation. It is not my book, it's yours, it is not my opportunity, it's yours. Use it, and do so well. If you can't live up to what the city expects of you, of what is right to all, you have the right to build, just not there, as easy as that.





MY book says a couple of interesting things too, things that I will gladly share with "Pastor" Terry Jones, here in sunny Florida.





I will go off and I'll do so harder than I could go on crazed Muslims, because it is my Bible, my religion, my responsibility towards fellow men and my Christ on the line here.


Stop the hatred and the thinly disguised bigotry. That is not the path to healing. Stop the vicious rhetoric and the false idea that acts like this will strengthen Christianity and unite people of faith.





Christians are loosing ground in this Country because of people like you, a vocal minority that is selling us all out as grade A lunatics. I am a Christian and I live by a simple act of faith that comprises believing that Jesus is both God and His anointed one, that he came to Earth, lived, died and resurrected and will come back again to judge both living and dead.While that moment comes, as His follower, it is my call to prevent judgement by bringing about His message:


"LOVE one and other, as I have loved you" (John 15:12) It is so simple, yet so direct that the word love appears 554 times through and through... I guess my book is not your book.





Giving into this ridiculous act of mock patriotism and pseudo religious piety will not only endanger troops overseas- (Dear Pastor Terry Jones and your Yosemite Sam mustache, get ready for your Al Qaeda closeup, you'll be their recruiting poster boy, you fruitcake)- it will destroy any good faith between religions. Go ahead and burn your bridges to dialogue, if you want, but don't do it in the name of my God and my Savior, do not tarnish my faith as some other crazies in the Middle East have tarnished theirs.

If you can't speak in love if you can't walk in love, you still have the right to spew your idiocy, but take God out of the equation, place the root of you actions where they truly belong, as easy as that.





For the sake of all lost and those who are still in harms way, let's keep this day, September 11, holy to all, open to all. It is our tragedy, it is our right to rise above it without people raising their own standards in the name of us all. I'm done with my grief and will wait for the time when we all forgive the acts and never forget the lessons of 9/11.