By now we’ve all heard of the controversy ignited by the proposed building of a mosque two blocks from the site of the World Trade Center attacks. Ultimately, the people of that city decide what can be built and where. It is not for the rest of us to intervene—and, certainly, I do not suppose that I know what is best for New York City. But there is something bigger at play here.
Many well-known people outside of NYC have felt the need to weigh in against the mosque. They word their objections to stir emotion, claiming that the “mosque will be built at ground zero” on “hallowed ground.” The real goal has been to create a political issue.
Many of the people objecting connect the Muslim worship space to the 9/11 terrorists, who were also Muslims. But the terrorists perverted that faith. I am quite sure that if a Catholic church was being built there would be no objections, even though the actions of some Catholics have been counter to the teachings of that faith.
There is a very real fear that the war on terror has caused some to adopt a new type of McCarthyism. It is understandable, but not justified. McCarthyism was a result of a tense worldwide face-off with totalitarian communism, and the fear that nations would fall like dominos and succumb to world domination.
Ultimately our nation emerged stronger and more united because its citizens’ shared values endured and conquered fear. An unwavering commitment to our way of life became our truest strength and greatest weapon—a resolve that was clear to the world.
I have been fortunate to learn from parents who believe in the tolerance and acceptance that make this nation unique. One of the most visible symbols of my parents’ commitment is the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, the on-campus multi-faith facility that they helped turn into a reality. The center is a crossroads where diverse faiths intersect. On the first floor, a Muslim prayer room is across the hall from the offices for Penn State Hillel, a Jewish student group. Dozens of campus ministries representing a wide array of faiths all call the center home.
My father is one of the people who has influenced my view of the world. His belief in tolerance came from his own father, Angelo Lafayette Paterno. Shortly after World War II my grandfather, a devout Catholic, helped form an inter-faith organization in New York City. The group promoted personal understanding of diverse faiths and was inclusive to all races.
In the 1940s few people possessed my grandfather’s open mind on racial and religious tolerance. His belief system became part of my own father’s values, as early as his time in college. One of the stories my father’s fraternity brothers told me has shown me the principles he had even then.
One year during rush, a Jewish student wanted to join their fraternity. The secret vote allowed each brother to place either a white ball (a yes vote) or a black ball (a no vote) into a box. The presence of a single black ball would eliminate the potential candidate—which is what nearly happened to the Jewish student.
In this particular case, all the brothers openly claimed this student would be a great fit. Another vote was taken and, again, a single black ball appeared in the box. My father and a few of his brothers had an idea. They’d vote again. If the black ball appeared again, my father would stand up, apologize and take the black ball out, saying he had cast the “no” vote all along.
They knew the brother responsible would not come forward. Joe would take out the ball and the Jewish student would become a member. Sure enough, the plan worked.
Years later his attitude is unchanged. Just days after 9/11 he was out to dinner with some family members, including my brother. That night four Muslim women wearing headscarves arrived at the restaurant. People stared and Joe knew the women felt uncomfortable. He went to their table, sat down and talked to them for a few minutes. He wanted the women and the people in the restaurant to accept and be accepting of one other.
It’s in the small moments like these—the one-on-one interactions—where hysteria and fear are destroyed.
There is far more that binds us than separates us in this country. No matter what the loudmouths may rail against, the right for each of us to worship in his or her own way is fundamental to our freedom.
Those who would ask us to deny this are neither “patriots” nor productive citizens. They are exploiting fears for their own gain. When that fear takes hold we lose what makes us different from other nations and a part of what makes us better.
We lose one of the cornerstones of the house we all live in.
