freedom of speech and religion: rights vs. consideration

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I agree that Muslim New Yorkers have a protected right to build a huge mosque in an area damaged by the 9/11September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City: V...Image via Wikipedia terror attacks, the Cordoba House/Park 51, but I think it obnoxious and provocative.

I also agree that a pastor of a tiny church in Florida also has a protected right to publically burn Korans, on the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, but I think it obnoxious and provocative.

Perhaps both groups can learn from each other.

Why do I think the mosque location is obnoxious and provocative? Because Muslims killed 3,000 people in the name of Islam, and having such a large mosque in a building damaged by those nuts reeks of a victorious army monument. Additionally, the original name, Cordoba house, is offensive because of the history it represents, Muslim invaders building a mosque on top of a church in Spain after their invasion in 784 AD. It's simply insensitive at best, malicious at worst.

Why do I think the Koran burning is obnoxious and provocative? Because all book burning in general is obnoxious and provocative, but poking sticks in hornets' nests do not teach any lessons to the hornets. Additionally, a self-proclaimed representative of Christ would do well to learn from Paul in Athens, see Acts 17:16-34, about inter-religious dialog.

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