October 7, 2003-- Morton Grove has forbidden a Muslim group from building a mosque, and some residents want the city to stop the group from even gathering to worship at its school, the Chicago Sun Times has reported.
The controversy in the northern suburb landed in federal court last week, when the Muslim group asked a judge to order the northern suburb to allow the mosque. The lawsuit argues that the city is violating federal law by treating Muslims differently from other religions in the city.
According to the Sun Times, the Muslim Community Center has operated an education center for several years. Muslims gather at the center for prayer each Friday afternoon. City officials have denied Muslim leaders a permit to add a mosque for 500 people to the grounds.
Some city residents don't want a mosque there because they think the Friday prayer gatherings create traffic problems. And they've even sued to force the city to stop the current prayer gatherings.
For more information, check out the Chicago Sun-Times online at www.suntimes.com .
Catholic Connections
In 1965, the Catholic Church took a strong stand on freedom from government discrimination for all religions when said this in its Declaration On Religious Freedom, released during the Second Vatican Council.
"Provided the just demands of public order are observed, religious communities rightfully claim freedom in order that they may govern themselves according to their own norms, honor the Supreme Being in public worship, assist their members in the practice of the religious life, strengthen them by instruction, and promote institutions in which they may join together for the purpose of ordering their own lives in accordance with their religious principles."
Reflection Questions
Should a city be able to tell people they can't gather for worship? What if the gatherings cause traffic problems?
If you were the leader of the Muslim group, how would you deal with this conflict? If you lived next door to the proposed mosque, what would you do? What should Christians in Morton Grove do about this? What do you think Jesus would do? What in the Gospels leads you to believe that?
Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!
