mosque near ground zero ?
 

Should a mosque be allowed to be built near ground zero? :cool:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/13...ndmark-status/

What do you think? Are you outraged? :eek:

Nope. The government shouldn't be involved in deciding which religions can do what. As long as the zoning would have allowed for a Christian or Jewish Church/Temple or Cultural Center, I say have at it. From what I heard on NPR, it isn't exactly a mosque, but a interfaith cultural center. Here's the group's website:

http://www.asmasociety.org/home/index.html

You betcha I'm outraged. I'm outraged that these people would try to use the power of the government to suppress the practice of religion, particularly when the purpose of the religious exercises in this instance is to develop greater understanding between people of different faiths. Whether I agreed with the tenets of the religious practices being pursued there or not, it would still be an outrage to target this group for exclusion because of their faith.

Regards,

D-Ray

I am impressed! I saw this on another board (a football board of all things) and everyone was outraged that one may be built.
It struck me as it does you guys.

radicals are radicals

this is about religion

BTW I am the same guy that wanted tanks outside the mosque in Journal Square (jersey city where the first attack on the world trade center was planned) but that was bewcause that is were the radicals were/are not because it was moslem.

I don't have a problem with this at all. Islam didn't attack the US any more than Shintoism attacked Pearl Harbor.

So, how would everyone feel if a multi-denominational interfaith center was built at Ground Zero?

john

It would make a great deal of sense to do just that as part of a memorial on the lower floor(s) of the new tower.

I agree. That's why I asked, not merely to be provocative, but I'd be willing to bet it would be opposed very strenuously.

John

If it were up to me, I wouldn't build it there. That's just asking for trouble, right or wrong.

Chas

Doesn't seem like the way to win friends and influence people.

While I agree that it doesn't seem like a good idea, I really don't have a problem with it.

If that mosque ends up being fos we can make fun of it. Publically and often. If not, perhaps they can use it to showcase harmony and advance our cause.

Pete

James and Chas, you take pretty practical views, but do you agree that is would be wrong for the government to prohibit a group from building on the basis of their faith.

BTW, one of my favorite religious sites is in that area: the John Street Church. It is the first Methodist church building in the United States.

Regards,

D-ray

[QUOTE=piece-itpete;33715. If not, perhaps they can use it to showcase harmony and advance our cause.

Pete[/QUOTE]

Pete, tell me if I'm right. The only way I could interpret your statement about "advance our cause" is that you were referring to human beings in general. I would agree that any successful effort at overcoming differences serves everyone's interest. But then, I should expect that view from someone with a good sense of humor.

Regards,

D-Ray

Depends on your pov, it's either enslaving the entire planet or bringing the benifits of an open 'free' society to as many as possible :)

Pete

Nope, don't care.

I had heard about this, but through an extremely far right wingnut at the plant. Which means his take on it was heavily polluted with half-truths and the obligatory Hannity-esque Limbaughisms, (The man has no mind of his own.). So, I had just dismissed it as BS. Now that I know it's an Interfaith type thing aimed at promoting religious harmony, I think it could be good idea. Or at least an idea that does no harm.

Or should I festoon my bulbous physique with tea bags, chain myself to a pole at the construction site with a American flag and an "ObamaHitler is trying to KILL Jesus" sign, a t-shirt that says "I don't know really what it is, but I think it should probly be stopped!"?

Dave

If you do, make sure someone takes pics :D

Pete

It is not the governments duty to deny people their civil liberties.

But I would probably inform them that the city wasn't going to bear the costs of stationing a battalion of police around their building to keep the locals from burning it down every night.

In other words, it's a big world, and there are better places for them to build their mosque.

Trouble will find you, you don't have to go looking for it. IMHO, that is precisely what they are doing.

Chas

I don't understand why you blame an entire religion for the actions of a trilateral dispute. Isn't that really what 911 is about?

There are better places to build it. This guy is not American, but IMO he is correct on where America should allow them to build it. ;)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjS0N...eature=related

This is the guy who did that video.

John

"....the Saudis.....telling Fox News what to broadcast.......I'm sure we'll all pay for that at the pumps...."

What do you make of that?

Dave

A Saudi, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, owns 7% of News Corp.

John

Yep. Is he the one who used to hangout at the Whitehouse with King George bin Bushi al Crawfordi?

Dave

No, that's Prince Bandar. He's a "royal bastard" but he's so smart and understands westerners so well that he's been favored over some of his legitimate siblings.

John

Need a match?:p

Anyone want to pitch-in on an "intercultural faith center" located in Mecca or Medina?

I'd be delighted!

What is it?

John

It's kind of funny/sad when those who are so immersed in American exceptionalism don't feel the same way about the exceptional liberties provided for in our Constitution. It's quite likely that an intercultural faith center would not be accepted in Mecca or Medina, but that does not mean one should not be accepted here. Unlike Saudi Arabia we do not have leaders ordained by God or Allah (good luck getting elected as a non-christian, however). We are not a theocracy, but a nation that insures religious freedom. Accordingly, we send a message to the rest of the world about the exceptional amount of freedom we enjoy here by eliminating any governmental interference to the center.

Regards,

D-Ray

Sorry, misread your post. I thought you were talking about something that actually existed.

So, you want to wrap a note around that rock you just threw? What's your point?

John

I guess I just find it odd that a religion (allegedly) of peace and tolerance seems so intolerant, that's all.

And?

John

Post #30 about sums it up.

And, while quite willing to receive such tolerance seem unwilling to give it.

So..... we shouldn't either? At least not where those people are concerned?

John

That's what happens when people get hold of any religion. I don't see how one could look at the words of Jesus and pursue armed crusades in the name of Christianity; or say that he is using God's advice when he invades Iraq; or use armies to steal the land from "Godless Indians."

Regards,

D-Ray

My only point was what I said. If you want to read more into it that's your choice.

I do not appreciate your insinuation with the italicized "those people" remark.

Ohio, or the ones with all the sand?

Dave

Because a savvy politician knows darn well that many so-called "Christians" can't tell when their religion is being used to manipulate them. One of the reasons religion and government should never mix.

But, I've already bored all of you with my position on that. So, I'll spare you the pain of going through it again.

Dave

Okay, then let's try it this way. Please answer these questions:

1. Should we attempt to forbid the construction of the Muslim Community Center/Mosque near (not at) "Ground Zero"? Explain.

2. Should our decision in this regard be influenced in any way by considerations about what the Saudis might or might not do if faced with a roughly analogous situation?

3. If the answer to #2 is "no", then what, in the context of this particular thread, was the reasoning behind your original post?

John

Right. Sometimes you have to lead, as painful as it may be initially. What was it? Something about "Love thine enemy..............."? The wall between Islam and Judeo-Christian society are ancient and deep. About, what, 1,400 years now? Maybe it'll be a few hundred more years, maybe never. But, we should continue to try. Defend ourselves of course, but continue to try.

Dave