Article by WorldNews.com Correspondent Dallas Darling.
"Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle." -Thomas Jefferson, March 4, 1801 Inaugural Address
Seeing that some political leaders and citizens are extremely upset over President Barack Obama's assertion of having no regrets about vocally supporting an Islamic mosque near Ground Zero in New York, it is very important to recall what Thomas Jefferson said at his inaugural address, and how he differentiated between principles and opinions concerning the future of America.
The newly formed republic had just experienced a divisive and bitter presidential race in which religion had become a (if not the) major issue. Many religious fundamentalists and evangelical Christians were allied with the Federalist Party. They believed Jefferson was a "howling atheist" and thus, presented the election as a stark choice between "God and a Religious President" and "Jefferson and No God."(1)
Two Federalists, Rev. John Mason of New York and Yale President Timothy Dwight, fanned the flames of fear by accusing Jefferson of denying the Biblical account of the universal deluge, for implicitly denying that the Jews are God's chosen people, and for wanting to re-enact the bloody French Revolution on American soil and then wanting to establish the Illuminate as rulers.(2)
While evangelical Federalists predicted Jefferson would overthrow the government and human society civil and domestic, religious fundamentalists warned he would place an apocalyptic and cataclysmic "seal of death" on their holy and Christian faith. They also alleged Jefferson's presidency and administration would result in the installation of "some infamous prostitute, under the title of the Goddess of Reason."(3)
When Jefferson uttered his famous phrase that there would be difference of opinion but not difference of principle, he was urging Americans that though there must be reasonable debate, certain principles must always be protected. The "sacred principles" he mentioned were the will of the prevailing majority and equal law protecting minority rights. Jefferson also stated in order for social harmony and liberty to exist, despotic political and religious intolerance must remain banished from the land.(4)
To say the least, and at the neglect of America's "rules of the Constitution"(5), Obama has been under fire for affirming a mosque has the same right to be built near Ground Zero as a church, synagogue, temple, or any other house of prayer and worship. Even though he recognizes this vital principle, some Democratic leaders seem to have forgotten the merit of religious liberties and toleration, even demanding an investigation into who is funding the mosque or calling it a "real affront."
These Democrats are not alone as Republicans, like New York Governor David Paterson, have requested developers to reconsider building a mosque near Ground Zero. Others, such as presidential hopefuls Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, have strongly voiced their oppositional opinions to the mosque. The Minority Leader in the House, John Boehner, called Obama's position "deeply troubling." Minority Whip Eric Cantor said building a mosque near Ground Zero was "the height of insensitivity."
It is unfortunate that opinions, views and judgments individuals formulate and make about an issue, and which are based on personal beliefs, have usurped basic America principles. It is also sad that reasonable and universal principles-on which rules, laws and rights are derived-are trying to be reversed. According to Jefferson, commonly held principles of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and toleration of religion, would prevent what he called "bloody persecution."(6)
Years after the 1800 election, and other than latching onto an existing divisive party that was trying to create hysteria by smearing its opponent, evangelical Federalists understood they could better influence society and exercise an independent moral voice by locally and regionally providing avenues and opportunities for equality and happiness. They also dealt with the real issues that threatened America: slavery, alcoholism, homelessness, violence, and nativism. Some also worked on behalf of rights for children and women.
Rev. Dwight, one of the most fierce evangelical Federalists and who is mentioned above, wrote, "Our countrymen have spent a sufficient time in hostilities against each other. We have entertained as many unkind thoughts, uttered as many bitter speeches, called each other by as many hard names, and indulged as much unkindness and malignity; as might satisfy our worst enemies..."(7)
Furthermore, "From all these efforts of ill-will we have not derived the least advantage. Friends and brothers have ceased to be friends and brothers; and professing Christians have dishonored the religion which they profess."(8) Like other Federalists who had once sought to divide America for political gain and power, Rev. Dwight understood that rights and liberties were based on principles, not selfish opinions, and they must be maintained.
The principle of religious toleration and freedom should not only be applied to the mosque in New York, the Cordoba House, but it must apply also to other mosques. Ron Scherer has written an article in the Christian Science Monitor about how other Islamic mosques are in danger. In Kentucky, Tennessee and California, "Stop the Mosque" campaigns, zoning laws and protests are preventing U.S. citizens from worshipping freely.
Jefferson also said, "Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and one mind."(8) He believed the principles of unity, equal rights, honesty, temperance, a benign religion-professed indeed, and practiced in various forms, a Government that would restrain men from injuring one another, and, of course, love of man, would make a happy and a prosperous people, and his greater happiness hereafter.(9)
By defending the principles of religious toleration and the right to worship on private land-while acknowledging the diverse opinions about the mosque being built two blocks from Ground Zero-Obama, is, and in the words of Jefferson, allowing personal views against religious rights to stand as "monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."(10) If built, the mosques themselves will be monuments of American freedom.
Coppied by http://article.wn.com/view/2010/08/21/Jefferson_Obama_and_Four_Mosques/?section=TopStoriesWorldwide&template=worldnews/index.txt
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