[X] My Assistant

[SilentHillFourta...]

Point being, there are just as many crazy Christians as there are Muslims. Due to cultural differences, we may see them in the form of the Westboro Baptist Church or Andrea Yates as opposed to a dude with a bomb strapped to his chest, although I would bet money that there have been Christian terrorists as well.

Hutaree, the Christian Supremacist Militia (based in my home state, no less)

I try not to get into religious or political debates, as I am agnostic and center respectively. As far as this debate goes, I think the U.S. Constitution gives Muslims the right to worship, just as it gives anyone else the right. I think they should be allowed to build the mosque there.

I can see the other side of the argument, though. I think what people are worried about is that no one can guarantee that this community center will not produce radicals/terrorists. Just remember that it's not just Islam that has its radical followers.

[Crystal Shards]

Honestly... If someone's gonna get converted into a terrorist, (s)he has avenues for that without the community center there, assuming it somehow got turned into a terrorist recruitment agency. Besides, that would be the DUMBEST location for a TRA, because I mean... you don't think people aren't going to be watching that place like a hawk? Even without the media blowup, I'm sure people would have been watching.

[SilentHillFourta...]

My thoughts exactly. Here's my question: is this even going to be a headline in a month or so? Or is it one of those stories that's popular just long enough for everyone to throw their two cents into the controversy before moving on? Is there just too much going on or do we Americans have short attention spans? Not to be cynical, but....

[Crystal Shards]

Oh I think it'll be an issue for quite some time. People may not be as violent about it once the building has begun, but those that have decided to get butthurt over this will continue to be butthurt about it. Thankfully, it seems to be the older crowd mostly, and they'll die off eventually. But especially since Obama has said STFU already, it's pushing the conspiracy theories that Obama is secretly a Muslim, blah blah socialism blah blah atheism blah blah persecution of Christians whatever.

[Rugal]

This entire thing shouldn't be an issue, and the fact that MSNBC and FOX News are dumping gasoline on the political wildfire isn't helping at all either.

Just as a point of reference, labeling it a house of terrorism (if and when it gets actually built) because Islamic extremists brought down the towers is like saying everyone from Germany is a Nazi, or that every Italian is buddied up with the Mafia.

[Crystal Shards]

Don't have too much faith in Americans. Only a third of them know that Obama is a Christian, and almost ONE IN FIVE think he's a Muslim. As one of my good friends recently said, "Here's what I don't get: everyone calling him a Muslim forgets that last year, they were told to hate him because of REVEREND Wright."

And, as a side note, I totally agree. I'm German (born in Germany, was a German citizen until I was like 7) and I can't tell you how many times I've been (seriously) asked if I was a Nazi. And it's just like... are you that stupid? Really?

EDIT: Also: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wirestory?id=11432999

This post has been edited by Crystal Shards: Aug 19 2010, 11:42 AM

[Chu Chu]

What happened to freedom of religion for goodness' sake? Why can't people understand that religion/color/all those other stereotypes and prejudices are NOT a way to tell if someone is good or bad or whatever. I wish people could just live in peace and not start picking wars and accusations and such. The past is past, if people keep dwelling on it then we're not exactly going to get anywhere are we? >.>

[Neo Pikachu]

Here's the main underlying issue. Those who are opposed to the mosque, or Islamic Community Center as its really called, are mainly against it because of the message it sends across to the extremists. To the extremists, it looks like a win, even if that's not what Imam intends. Some extremists may interpret it as a victory, and may see this as their campaign to forcefully convert everyone to Islam placing a flag of victory over the conquered soil of the innocent people they label as "infidels." They celebrated when the twin towers fell and passed around candy to children. The risk behind this whole project is the potential that this may boost their morale, encourage others to be swayed by their lies, and make the Taliban grow in numbers.

This is why most people would like it moved in a different location. 45-47 Park Place was originally a Burlington Coat Factory that had suffered damage as a result of the attacks. One of the plane's landing gear and fuselage crashed through the roof after the plane had collided. Sure, the community center isn't being put right on top of where the Twin Towers used to be, but in truth, they are tearing down a building that was affected by the attacks. It sends a message that could potentially make the Taliban and other Islamic extremists think its a victory. Let's face it, 9/11 may have been nine years ago, but the extremists never settled down and even if we forgive and forget, they certainly won't. Also, back in May, we almost had another attack in Times Square. Not to mention 9/11 wasn't the first attack on the WTC either. Sad to say, these guys would love to see New York in ruins, hence why the issue is very sensitive and fragile. Telling the victims of families to "get over it" isn't right either. Right now, they're feeling like people are just forgetting about them. It isn't easy for Jewish people to just "get over it" when it comes to Holocaust either.

In the midst of things, I don't think most people are afraid of peaceful Islamic people, but I think its the extremists that get all of the media attention and this is where things go wrong. However, in this case, I think its the message that people are afraid of.

[Rugal]

I think I may have a theory as to why this is an issue to begin with.

Obviously since Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks, and most Americans had never had much (if not any) interaction with Islamic people to begin with that first impression was set so high that it fueled an instantaneous hatred for Islam. Since such a bold statement was literally their first interaction with said religion, it c(w)ould be easily manipulated by the Feds, overzealous preachers, or just anyone with enough charisma to rally a public opinion. After nine years after a largely roller coaster "war" against militant factions like the Taliban, the hatred festers even more to the point of shit like this happening. If the ends justify the means, the militants have already won. While we're engaging in borderline riots with each other over something that's explicitly guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, they can manipulate the situation at home to gain even more manpower and fight more fiercely.

[Lord Raven]

the problem is people twist this shit into "my voice isn't heard and that's my first amendment right!" or something to that extent. that was the problem with gay marriage being legalized in California. which is referred back to something in the declaration of independence (or something somewhere) that being guaranteed to life, liberty, and property for all so long as they don't affect someone else's right to life, liberty, or property or something to that extent... this being a liberty and a problem that doesn't affect someone else's right to life, liberty, or property directly.

[Far east]

This is the case when someone screw up big time and ruins the whole reputation of the group..(Terrorist,Nazi,Mafia,etc)

Why would not people realize that not every muslim is terrorist, not all germans are nazi, nat all americans are dumb(no offences), not all jew are cruel(some of them at least) It's their individuality that make a person, not their race, religion or nationality..

[Iconox]

Personally, I just question the intentions of building it there. I mean, if it's a gibe at the people that died, then I don't approve; however, if not, then I see nothing wrong. I don't care much for political discussions but I guess that's my 2 cents.

[Natsume Reiko]

Popping in to add my two cents. To those who bitch about having the mosque 'near' Ground Zero. What about the US's churches that stand at Hiroshima and other areas where we have constantly dominated other nations? We're no different. To be fair both sides have their extremists- we just go around provoking the other side since we believe that we are superior and all that crap. The amount of ignorance and xenophobia in this nation is outstanding. The funny thing is that both sides are pretty similar to each other. There was a comic on Reddit that had both sides armed to the teeth with the same thought. 'I wish you were a little more like me.'

Am I the only one to see a parallel to pre-WWII Germany's dislike towards Jews with the US's dislike toward Muslims? I keep seeing more and more anti-Islam news related media pop up the longer our recession has been going. It's like the US is looking for a scapegoat and it's eerily repeating the same conditions of WWII Germany. I'm not sure if we'll ever get as far as shoving people into prison camps but hey we've done it before to the Japanese living in the US. Either way it's a dangerous cocktail to mess with and as people like to say- history tends to repeat itself.

[Reyo]

the problem is people twist this shit into "my voice isn't heard and that's my first amendment right!" or something to that extent. that was the problem with gay marriage being legalized in California. which is referred back to something in the declaration of independence (or something somewhere) that being guaranteed to life, liberty, and property for all so long as they don't affect someone else's right to life, liberty, or property or something to that extent... this being a liberty and a problem that doesn't affect someone else's right to life, liberty, or property directly.

It always amuses me how those people playing the 1st amendment card almost always tack on that their opponents are hindering their right to life, liberty, and property while forgetting that in doing so, they're hindering THEIR OPPONENTS right to life, liberty, and property.

This post has been edited by Reyo: Sep 23 2010, 04:57 PM