Readers write for Aug. 10, 2010

That Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., find themselves on opposite sides of the ground zero mosque debate is not surprising ("Pawlenty, Ellison wade into growing mosque row," Aug. 7). They each will play to their special interests, which is the nature of politics today. Pawlenty and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin seem to imply that the citizens of the United States who desire a mosque in New York City represent the terrorists who destroyed the World Trade Center in 2001, while Ellison attempts to ignore the large group of citizens who harbor the resentments that Pawlenty attempts to inflame.

Our leaders seem to have more interest in aggravating passions and staking positions than in finding common ground. But common ground exists at the very place that Pawlenty considers so sacred.

Instead of rejecting the mosque proposal, why not encourage it while encouraging other churches to build there as well? America, as a center for freedom of religion, has always lacked a central location for interfaith and ecumenical studies to bring its various religious traditions in focus. Why not in melting-pot New York, where there are so many people with diverse religious backgrounds and passions? Not only build a mosque, but also make room for Catholic and Protestant churches, a Jewish temple, a Hindu Mandir, Bhuddist temples, and places of worship for any other religious organizations that desire representation. We can take good advantage of the passions that are buried in that location by requiring participation in interfaith and ecumenical activities in the hope of bringing the type of understanding to our citizens that is so obviously lacking in our current leaders.

It is time to quit the squabbling and start finding common ground in our politics and also in our religious beliefs and traditions. I don't think anyone of any faith who died in the inferno of 2001 or in the wars that followed would disagree.

DON NARR, CRYSTAL

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After the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City by Timothy McVeigh, a Christian fundamentalist, did we prohibit the construction of Christian churches in the vicinity of the site?

Fundamentalist Christianity is a noble religious community that upholds the highest of spiritual, moral and personal virtues and does not advocate the destruction of human life in any way. The Islamic religion maintains similar moral virtues. Just as Christians did not condone nor support the bombing of the Murrah building in Oklahoma City that fateful day in 1995, the Islamic world did not condone nor support the destruction of the World Trade Center six years later.

We must be careful where we are assessing blame here, and make certain that freedom of the practice of religion, a fundamental tenet of the American Constitution in the Bill of Rights, is not compromised by an unconscious hatred and intolerance wrought by personal bigotry and prejudice and a perceived need for revenge.

BILL TORVUND, MAPLE GROVE

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The construction of churches or other non-Muslim houses of worship is prohibited or severely restricted in most Islamic countries. Advocacy of a religion other than Islam can get you a life sentence in Syria. Apostasy (conversion out of Islam) is a capital offense in Pakistan and the Sudan.

PETER D. ABARBANEL, APPLE VALLEY

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I was extremely disappointed to read Pawlenty's comments about the proposed mosque "not being patriotic." I was very impressed with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's positive comments.

Actually, a mosque representing true values of Islam, such as tolerance and respect of people of all faiths and condemnation of killing of innocent civilians, is exactly what is needed. It shows to the entire world that the terrorists who attacked the Twin Towers, killing about 3,000 people, including a large number of American Muslims, are not true representatives of Islam. It also shows to the entire world that America is a free and democratic country, welcoming to people of all faiths, including about 7 million Muslim-Americans.

There is nothing that terrorists would love to see more than a war between America and the world's 1.5 billion Muslims. The building of this mosque would be a bigger blow to the ideology of hate and terrorism than bombs.

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Pawlenty stated, "I'm strongly opposed to the idea of putting a mosque anywhere near ground zero -- I think it's inappropriate. I believe that 3,000 of our fellow innocent citizens were killed in that area, and some ways from a patriotic standpoint, it's hallowed ground, it's sacred ground, and we should respect that. We shouldn't have images or activities that degrade or disrespect that in any way."

How is allowing religious freedom disrespectful and unpatriotic? Is Pawlenty that unknowledgeable about the United States Constitution? The events of 9/11 were carried out by religious extremists who held beliefs that are not shared by the vast majority of those who practice Islam. Surely Pawlenty must know this.

If he thinks he can win the presidency by dividing people, just what kind of president will he be? Based on his statement about the mosque near ground zero, Pawlenty has demonstrated that he's incapable of being presidential, let alone being a leader of any kind.