Ground Zero Mosque Debate: The Basics

The proposed location of the Ground Zero Mosque

This blog further investigates the Ground Zero mosque controversy. Muslims have proposed the building of a mosque and community center two blocks away from the Ground Zero site. This proposal sparked a heated debate. Many people are protesting the mosque. They believe that Islamic extremists were responsible for the attacks and that the building of the Ground Zero mosque is disrespectful to Americans as a result. Others believe that Muslims have a right to practice their religion freely no matter where the location of their mosques may be. 

Actually, the Ground Zero Mosque is much more than a mosque. The following passage was taken from Wikipedia. You can find the full article here.

"Park51, originally named Cordoba House (and referred to as the "Ground Zero mosque"), is a planned 13-story, glass and steel Islamic community center and mosque, to be located about two blocks from the World Trade Center site,^[5][6] in Lower Manhattan.^[7] The facility's design includes a 500-seat auditorium, theater, performing arts center, fitness center, swimming pool, basketball court, childcare area, bookstore, culinary school, art studio, food court, September 11 memorial, and prayer space that could accommodate 1,000–2,000 people.^[8][5] The center would replace an existing 1850s Italianate-style building that was damaged in the September 11 attacks.
Although the Park51 building would not be visible from the World Trade Center site,^[9] opponents of the Park51 project have claimed, among other things, that building a mosque so close to "ground zero" is offensive to the victims and the families of the victims of the 2001 World Trade Center attack, and that the building itself would serve as a victory memorial to Islam. Supporters respond that this argument is based on the idea that Islam is responsible for the terrorist attack, which is offensive to Muslims.
Opponents have also argued that the project should not be built because most Americans, including most residents of New York State and New York City (though not most residents of Manhattan), oppose it. Most Americans and residents of New York State do, however, support the legal right of the Park51 developers to proceed with the project."

Do you think that Muslims have a right to practice there religion this close to Ground Zero? Doest banning the building of the mosque violate Amendment 1? (Amendment 1 states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." In other words, Amendment 1 gives us the right to practice whatever religion we like and wherever we choose to practice it.) What cultural implications does the banning of the mosque imply?

I will investigate these questions and more on this blog, and I look forward to hearing what you have to say as well.