Freedom in America is best honored by respecting sensitive social and cultural issues. In my opinion, as much as I might like to burn an Iranian flag or Quran, actions like these do not build peace even if they are allowed by freedom of speech in our country.
And Christians would simply pray for those who burned a Bible. Why is this? I think the answer goes to the heart of the issue.
The Muslim community in New York state has honorable intentions in trying to improve cultural relations ever since the attack by pseudo-religious Islamic fundamentalists nine years ago, which negatively affected the image of peaceful Muslims throughout the world.
But they should realize that this mosque proposal is counterproductive to improving that image.
Because this site is considered hallowed ground and reflects the cultural diversity of everyone affected, it's not an appropriate location for any one particular religion or culture to maintain an exclusive presence.
A public opinion poll of airline passengers (and JetBlue flight attendants), waiting in their bare feet at airport security might also reflect public consensus.
Religious freedom also wouldn't justify the Taliban dedicating an area in Central Park for public stonings.
Neither would it be ethical for an American car company to open a dealership at ground zero in downtown Nagasaki, Japan.
According to columnist Charles Krauthammer (ADN, Aug. 21, "Muslims should respect hallowed ground"), fundamentalist Islamic factions have the "allegiance of 7 percent of Muslims, i.e., over 80 million souls."
What about the other 93 percent?
There are many positive cultural aspects of the Muslim heritage, of course. The purity of women, religious discipline and having a traditional, unified cultural identity are a few examples.
Some Islamic traditions, however, are difficult for people in Western societies to understand, such as women not being allowed to participate as equals in social activities. Others seem archaic, or barbaric like the impending public stoning of a likely innocent woman in Iran. Are men ever stoned in Iran? Apparently so.
But opium use is a religious right, isn't it?
There also seems to be an international perception that many in the Muslim world remain disturbingly silent regarding atrocities committed in the name of Allah by those claiming the same Islamic heritage. This has created a climate of mistrust.
Regardless of the religion, making an honest evaluation of personal beliefs and challenging assumptions of infallibility are not easy for anyone. When a religion or its symbols take on more importance than their source, most people would consider this to be idolatry. And the closer to this reality we find ourselves, the shorter the tempers, it seems.
It would help to improve Islamic cultural relations if the underlying message and purpose of Islam were clarified, since these goals can appear vague, at least from a distance.
As America is a nation having Judeo-Christian roots, an important part of its heritage is that of being a child of Israel. Historically, in theory, this includes an ancient tradition of tempering justice with mercy. One example of this is the example of a Jewish carpenter and rabbi who calmly drew a line in the sand in a town in Israel some 2,000 years ago. With one amazing, compelling statement, not a bomb or an AK-47, an angry mob that was about to stone a woman caught in adultery was disarmed. The oppressive Judaic religious leaders of that day who condoned such stonings, however, were referred to as a "brood of vipers."
We all need to guard against finding ourselves in the same angry mob rushing to cast stones. But a line should be drawn in the sand in New York City for all religions, and a multicultural religious memorial could be built at the site of the Twin Towers.
Once the 93 percent of peaceful Muslims make significant progress in a concerted, international effort to kick the 80 million or so "brood of vipers" out of their religion, they will begin to gain the support, acceptance and trust of America.
Harold Bartko Jr. is a 50-year resident of Alaska and actively promotes religious dialogue as a Christian layman. He lives in Kenai.
By HAROLD BARTKO JR.