Mosque in New York: Religious Freedom or Political Statement?

Pastor Terry Jones projected his strong anti-Muslim feelings to the American people after his rant against the Quran when he pleaded with others to join in turning its pages to ashes. This anti-book battle cry stems from the outrage he felt after hearing a mosque would be built near ground zero. American Muslims and Christians alike pursued efforts to halt Jones’ proposition to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11.

Jones responded in outrage instead of Christian love when he told CNN that burning the Quran would be a necessary step to speak out against the Muslim community.

While it is questionable to construct a Muslim community center so close to the site of the Sept. 11 tragedy, Jones’ reaction surpassed simply expressing his opinion and went into kamikaze outrage.

“As a pastor and as Christians, we are held to a higher standard and just because Jones was mad about the mosque at ground zero, his reaction should not have been to burn the Quran but to pray for those Muslims,” missionaries working in a Muslim nation said.

Naming the Quran as a book “full of lies” and Islam as being “from the devil,” Jones made his radical decision to burn what he claims to be an unholy book. Later, Jones agreed to stand down from his Sept. 11 book burnings but did not guarantee to withhold his fury from the Quran in the future, according to CNN.

“As Islam pervades all of a Muslim’s life and is more than a mere religious affiliation, to attack Islam, Muhammad or the Quran is to attack a Muslim friend,” professor of Islamic studies at Liberty and 10-year Middle Eastern resident Edward Smither said. “If Rev. Jones has any missionary motivation, which I’m doubtful that he does, he has succeeded in losing his audience before ever having the chance to share the gospel.”

All Sept. 11 victims whose hearts were ripped to pieces after seeing heavy clouds of black smoke rise to the sky and loved ones massacred, want to see this building moved and not desecrating the sacred area. Furthering their despair, the mosque was originally proposed to open on an anniversary of the terror attacks, which serves as a slap in the face to the American people.

Two-thirds of New York citizens, including those claiming to be in favor of the new mosque want for this project not to perish but moved to a new location, according to a poll printed in the New York Times.

Still, it is hard to separate politics and religion as they bleed together, creating controversy. The U.S. Constitution gives the Muslim community, which consists of about 600,000 people in New York, the right to build a mosque just as much as any Baptist or Pentecostal can build a church. However, the decision to do so in a place that holds haunting memories courtesy of radical Muslims in the name of Allah creates more tension than peace for many Americans.

“Religious freedom is a cherished American value that extends to ‘Mayflower pilgrims’ and to the millions of Muslims that have immigrated to the U.S. for centuries prior to Sept. 11,” Smither said. “Most Muslims I know have endeavored to distance themselves and Islam from the events of Sept. 11; so I am a bit surprised that a Muslim community would want to build a mosque at ground zero — an act that would seem to perpetuate horrible memories.”

It is true that the Muslim community, as citizens of the United States, have every right to build their mosque. However, the timing and location could not be any worse. If these Muslims are sincerely peace-seeking, they should work with New York City to find a mutually beneficial compromise. If they do not, they will leave many Americans, however misguided, “Jones-ing” for an ole fashion book burning.

A common death to women: breast cancer

Silence filled the room and all that could be heard was the thick tapping of her toe to the tile as she anxiously awaited the news. Five years prior, she was dragging her feet into the doctor’s office getting ready for yet one more agonizing surgery. But this time she had a good feeling; she was going to be okay and the results would be different.

After dealing with numerous years of battling breast cancer, Debbie Young, 57, was feeling hopeless and ready to give up. Her last surgery was supposed to be the final one to bring Young to a place of recovery.Her family, friends and faith in God kept her strong and helped her reach a point stage of contentment daily.

When the doctor entered the examination room carrying her wood clipboard, Young finally received the exciting news that she was now designated as a breast cancer survivor. The 5-year “safety net” following her las surgery had passed and Young reached a point of recession. She could now continue on with a sense of confidence. The hope she held onto at last proved itself.

“Hope is the substance that will turn each patient into a survivor,” Young said.

In the United States alone, there are more than 2.3 million women currently living with breast cancer or have survived breast cancer. Even though this is a substantial amount of women, there is still an estimated 40,460 that would have died from breast cancer in 2007, according to National Cancer Institute.

Approximately 24,113 people in Virginia are currently diagnosed with breast cancer. Chesterfield, Arlington, Thomas Jefferson and Fairfax are among the top counties with these cancer patients, according to Virginia Department of Health.

With numbers this high, appropriate medical attention is imperative. These formidable numbers also prove the importance of yearly self examinations. Medical centers all over the nation provide services to perform such tests.

“The best way to prevent any disease is to be informed, know your health risks and be an advocate for your own health,” Page Pace, board member on the Greater Roanoke Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure said. “For women, this is an annual mammogram at the recommended age and the commitment to do breast self-exams each month.”

Survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer sky rocket when they are diagnosed at an early stage than when they are at a more distant stage with cancer spreading to organs. Because there is a 1-in-8 chance that a woman will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at some stage in her life, these standard tests such as yearly mammograms are vital to survival and early detection, according to Virginia Department of Health.

Within the 66.5 percent of women at the prime age of 40 to 49 to receive a mammogram in 2006, approximately 78 percent were insured. This leaves a substantial group of 48 percent receiving mammograms uninsured, according to the Virginia Cancer Registry at Virginia Department of Health.

The National Organization of Susan G. Komen for the Cure shows that fear of results, not having any family history of cancer and self image beliefs are prime factors halting women from having these screenings. Although, the greatest reason women today do not pursue these tests is due to affordability.

“It is important for all women to take steps toward a healthy lifestyle and practice preventive care,” Pace said.

Frequent screening and tests are a giant step toward preventing severe medical problems such as breast cancer. Without proper health insurance and the finances needed for these test, many women fall short in doing what they can in order to prevent such diseases.

For women who fall into the category of low annual income or lack health insurance, some programs are available to help. Virginia’s Department of Health offers such programs including the group, Every Woman’s Life. Adult women are able to apply to the program to receive help with free screening tests and examinations.

Breast cancer is a disease that takes many lives each year. Staying informed, getting annual screenings and exams and remaining aware are prime precautionary methods that medical officials suggest all women take.