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8/25/10
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8 comments
Arguments against mosque unwarranted
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I am becoming disturbed about this whole mosque debate in New York City.
If you’re not familiar with the debate — and I’ll admit I wasn’t until last week —there are currently plans to build an Islamic community center near Ground Zero in New York City. Many people are protesting the construction of the community center, which has been referred to as a mosque because plans include a small mosque on an upper floor.
According to CNN, approximately 68 percent of Americans oppose construction of the Islamic center.
And while I fully respect people’s opinion, and understand the hurt that is still there from the attacks on Sept. 11, I’m getting annoyed with some of the arguments that I’ve been hearing against this “mosque.”
First of all, this community center is not right next to Ground Zero — it’s actually a few blocks away. Some of the people who oppose its construction would like you to envision it right next door, within a stone’s throw, but that isn’t the case.
It’s actually planned to be constructed in an area, according to MSNBC’s Keith Olberman, which features a number of abandoned buildings. Apparently, many people come to visit Ground Zero, but very few venture farther than a couple of blocks away — I know my wife and I didn’t when we visited New York City a few months ago — so businesses have trouble surviving there.
So while those looking to construct this Islamic center near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks shouldn’t be surprised over the opposition, the structure will hardly be in the shadow of the new World Trade Center.
Another argument that I have heard a lot is that this community center will be a breeding ground for terrorists. That is absurd.
Yes, the attacks on Sept. 11 were carried out by Muslims, who where shouting to “Allah” when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers. But I can assure you, killing Americans is not the number one priority of everyone of Islamic faith.
If it were, I’d imagine that we’d have a lot more problems than we have now.
Take some time and read about the Islamic faith. The people who carried out these attacks on Sept. 11 were Muslim extremists. They are no different than the Christian extremists who set off pipe bombs outside of abortion clinics. They are a select few who illogically think that the way to prevent violence is to create more violence.
Those people do not represent the majority of the people who follow those religions.
People who believe middle easterners are all out to kill us because a select few carried out the attacks on Sept. 11 need to seriously sit back and think about that argument. Those people were terrorists.
We have plenty of American terrorists as well. How about Timothy McVeigh of New York state, who blew up the Oklahoma City Federal Building? What about the Columbine kids who shot up their high school? What about the Centennial Park Bomber, Eric Robert Rudolf of Florida? These are all American terrorists.
Despite the fact that they were all American, do I believe that all Americans are terrorists? Of course not. I know I am not one. It’s an illogical argument.
There were 19 terrorists involved in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Do you know how small a number that is compared to the population of the Middle East, or compared to the number of Muslims in this world? It’s a teeny, tiny percent. Yet people honestly believe that because these 19 people did this horrible thing, that the other 99.99 percent of this group of people — innocent people — would do the same?
Do you know how many Muslims lost their life in the attacks? There were many.
We fight for freedom in this country. One of those freedoms is freedom of religion. How can we declare that we should have those freedoms, while at the same time believe that we should deny those same freedoms to other Americans, just because of their religion?
How American is that? I’d say it’s not very American at all.
It’s fine to oppose the location of this Islamic center, because you feel it’s distasteful to build it so close to Ground Zero. But let that be your argument. This crazy talk about terrorist breeding grounds needs to be stopped. There is no need to spread silly lies.
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I agree! I actually heard some uninformed idiot suggest that instead of building the mosque on their private property, these people donate their building fund dollars to the 9-11 victims for the heinous acts of their "breathren". I believe It is uninformed, wacky hatred like that, that will cause big problems for this country's future as a "superpower".
Fair is fair at least I think. I read a article on the internet a few weeks ago that there used to be a Greek Orthodox church in the same area that was destroyed on 911 that can't get a building permit. If they were there before, how come a new "mosque" can be built and a new "church" can't? That is because somebody might get offended!
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/17/ground-zero-church-archdiocese-says-officials-forgot/
America is such a wonderful country because you can practice any religion you want. I have a problem with the money trail. Have you looked at how this Islamic community center/mosque is being funded? When all Muslims practice Sharia Law and many radicals have their own interpretations we need to know who will be in charge here. Many Muslims want to be able to practice Sharia Law, this is very scary, look this up. Why are they wanting to have a ceremony of this building on the anniversary of 9/11? This is very disrespectful to those families that lost loved ones on that dreadful day of 9/11. Do they have the "right" to build it? Absolutely! Is is "right"? That is the million dollar question.
The money trail doesn't matter. It's called the FIRST AMENDMENT! We don't track the money for Christian Churches and we don't for Synagogues. If these men were receiving money from terrorists (highly unlikely since the were billed by GW Bush as moderate upstanding muslims) then the authorities would freeze their funds just like they would for any other terrorist suspect.
Furthermore, the Greek Orthodox church has no standing here. The greek church is asking to be COMPLETELY rebuilt into a larger facility, while the community center is going into a still-standing building that ALREADY hosts a mosque (albeit a small one.) Heck, the NY Port Authority even offered the Greek Church $60 million in assistance to build the project, but the Greeks are upset about a vehicle check station that would be built under the church's property by the Port Authority in the construction of the new Freedom Tower.
But, then again, if you are getting your info from Fox News than you are bound not to be told the entire story. What would people like Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly do if their audience actually knew the facts?
Well Eric, your first mistake was getting your information from MSNBC and Keith Olberman. I agree with you that any company should have the freedom in America to build where they like if they have proper permits etc. HOWEVER, it IS distasteful and improper, considering the devistation that took place on 9-11, to think that somehow putting a mosque near ground zero could mend relations with the U.S. (which is what the owners/builders of the mosque are saying) Another issue is, where is the money coming from? Are there ties to muslum extremists?
This is insulting and insesitive and if they were serious about mending relations, they would understand that. If there are ties to muslum extremists, then this, if built, would be a moral victory for them. It came about just this morning that if for some reason the building was not allowed to take place, the Iman behind the proposed building warned of potential violence by muslum extremists. Hmmm. By the way, there were many more than just 19 involved in the Sept 11th attacks. Dont get me wrong, I dont believe all muslums are extremists. But the extremists numbers are huge in comparison to your examples of a few American nutjobs. Maybe you should give it more than a week of watchin MSNBC before you form your opinions of fellow Americans!
First of all Webby378, ALL funding for any church is tracked. Most of the terrorists ARE Muslim. Let's get off of the "GW Bush" train and what he did or did not do, it's over with, move on. You need to stop drinking the "Kool-aid" that the main stream, liberal media wants you to believe. Fox news does report the facts. Let's talk about FIRST AMENDMENT rights. We can hardly acknowledge Chrisitian holidays because it might offend someone. Some places you can't even display an American flag because someone is offended! This is America! I was watching the news this morning that showed the Iman (as geetarpicker mentioned) stating a warning that muslims may retaliate if this doesn't get built. I have a question for you, how long do you think a "community center" that specifies one religion would last if it was a Christian community center? Not very long because that is discrimination and someone would be offended. My brother is currently serving his 2nd tour in Afghanistan and if you think there were only 19 people involved in the 9/11 attacks, well that just shows you have been drinking way too much Kool Aid.
@tw040306 Do you know what YMCA stands for? Young Men's Christian Association. Look it up.
mKelso i believe everyone is welcome there right? Do they check your status of religion to join?? This is the Y's definition of themselves "That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive." Hmmmm...not seeing the same meaning with the "community center" at ground zero.