Why can Muslims build a mosque in New York, but Christians can’t build a church? The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission voted 9-0 on Aug. 3 against granting historic protection to the building near Ground Zero that will now become “a Muslim center and a mosque,” according to the New York Times. Yet the city’s Port Authority has refused to permit St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church to re-build its house of worship. The 96-year-old church was the only house of worship destroyed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The parish and Greek Orthodox Archdiocese said in an Aug. 23 press release, “In 2004, the authorities proposed that the new edifice be built at 130 Liberty Street, a parcel on the same block as the original site, and an agreement was reached between the Archdiocese and the Port Authority.” Nevertheless, the press release concluded, “The latest Port Authority administration in 2009 unexpectedly and arbitrarily reneged on this agreement and as a result, [we] are suddenly offered no viable option. The Port Authority has refused to meet with us. In the meantime [they have] excavated the original site without our consent, rendering it unusable in flagrant violation of our legal rights.”
The Rev. Mark Arey, an archdiocesan spokesman, said on Aug. 26, “St. Nicholas has nothing to do with this mosque controversy. We believe in religious freedom …. But it’s a rising tide that lifts all boats. People say the mosque has been green-lighted, but why not this church?” As an Orthodox Christian, I am appalled by the double standard that New York authorities have applied to the mosque and the church.
David E. Sumner, Ph.D.
Anderson
Letters
Letter: Why can’t Greek Orthodox church re-build?
- Letters
-
-
Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
To save America some money — by acclimation of course — let’s not have a presidential election in 2012. We already have a good president who will do his best to kill all Republican bills (DOA) and, consequently, create more good-paying jobs in the $30 per hour range.
-
Letter: Gingrich cashes in on political amnesia
Rasmussen says that Romney has flattened nationally. Why?
Two reasons seem to tell the tale. Gingrich has shown that he will fight, and Romney is a Mormon, believed to be a “cult” by a majority of evangelicals. -
Letter: Hiring Winkler not wise spending
As a taxpayer I want to know that my taxes are being spent wisely. Hiring Greg Winkler at a salary of $126,000 is not wise spending.
-
Letter: Bill of Rights being nullified by new law
President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act on New Year’s Eve. I doubt many Americans noticed its implications because they do not yet comprehend the big picture. This law, coupled with the Patriot Act, is paving the way for America’s direction toward tyranny.
-
Letter: $14 trillion debt started by previous president
I’m a proud atheist who’s lucky enough to know the difference between fact and fantasy.
-
Letter: Economy putting people in the gutters
We are now getting the results of putting people in the gutters. We need to take a second look at our government and its policies. It’s not working.
-
Viewpoint: Look at Creation Museum from an educational, scientific perspective
I encourage any and all who have interest in this vitally important topic to “go to the source,” to invest the time and energy into exploring The Creation Museum for themselves.
-
Letter: Blame the voters for our Congress
Why is insider trading legal for Congress and illegal for the rest of us? They make and enact laws for all of us, but then exempt members of Congress. Somehow this doesn’t seem to pass the smell test.
-
Letter: Smith’s firings appear vindictive
Anderson is a city of negative publicity and actions. Why else is Sears leaving? Can we stand four years of vindictive actions and negative reporting?
-
Letter: Planned devaluation of dollar is coming
I’ve submitted letters regarding the existence of a global elite for years now. I’m now submitting another one in which I hope readers will take note of.
- More Letters Headlines
-
Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
