In the ongoing debate over the proposed "Ground Zero Mosque," those opposing it have often claimed that they are not arguing that government should have the ability to stop the construction of the site. They say that the other side's constant criticism that the opposition to the mosque represents an attempt at restricting freedom of religion is false, because they are not advocating using government force -- only persuasion -- to prevent the construction.
But then came recent comments last week from one of the most vocal critics of the proposed construction, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich:
In a radio interview today, he said he wants the national government to step in and stop the developers from building the Islamic community center by whatever means necessary ... And if that fails, he said, the state government should step in and use its considerable power to stymie the development. "The Attorney General of New York, Andrew Cuomo, could intervene because frankly he has the ability to slow it down for decades if he wants to."
Government preventing the construction of a place of worship based primarily on the fact that a large group of citizens oppose that religion has no place under our system of government. It is becoming evident that several in the opposition to this construction are willing to use government force to prevent it. So much for that whole, "This is not about freedom of religion" thing.
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