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
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Viewpoint: Medical professionals instill confidence
The reason for this letter is not to inform everyone in town “all about my operation,” but far more importantly, to share my remedial experience — physically and emotionally — with gratitude and appreciation for all components of the entire Saint John’s Cancer Center team.
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Letter: Impatient drivers ignore school bus arm
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people that drive on 38th Street from Columbus Avenue to Scatterfield Road every morning for running my stop arm on the school bus that I drive.
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Letter: Public should have say on library space
As taxpayers, does the public have no say-so what happens with their tax dollars? With some proper schedule management, those existing meeting rooms can fulfill everyone’s needs.
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Letter: Election fraud tales turn voters away
Columnist Maureen Hayden asked, “Why did 3 million Hoosiers choose not to vote?” She gave a few reasons but I can think of another one.
How about election fraud? -
Letter: Elected officials should buy insurance
I may be wrong but I thought the city and county were hurting for money, and that’s why services keep getting cut or eliminated. One thing is evident. There is no shortage of money for lawsuits.
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Letter: Source of inequality is not economic
The truth of the collapse of a living-wage economy for working-class America is a social catastrophe and, increasingly, a severe embarrassment to free-market ideology.
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Letter: America following road to tyranny
Global elitists behind our government have methodically been guiding our government toward the New World Order.
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Letter: Let’s work through the problems
On May 14 I attended the county council meeting in hopes that I could understand what is happening in the legislative branch of our Madison County government. What I saw was politics at its worst and I cannot applaud either party.
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Letter: Columnist Brown ignores truth
It’s hard to understand why The Herald Bulletin carries columns by Susan Stamper Brown, who has such a blatant disregard for truth in her conservative propaganda.
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Letter: Taxpayers should thank the ‘few’
Are those who worry about the loss of the wheel tax concerned about the roads or about their jobs? Most of them could care less about people’s needs.
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Viewpoint: Medical professionals instill confidence
