Obama backs mosque near ground zero

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For a while, I wasn’t objecting to the mosque being built, but then I remembered my old Step Dad saying that when he was in Nigeria, **all **the Muslims around him were cheering at 9/11. They were even selling I <3 Saddam Husein and Binladin tee shirts.

I have a Muslim friend who seems to be against America and my Sister has converted to Islam and when she’s on the phone, her conversations are really hateful of other religions and Americans when she speaks to her Muslim friends.

Maybe it is just a coincidence that I’ve noticed all this, but I believe that it is disrespectful seeing as the most disrespectful people I’ve seen are Muslims.

However, I feel like I should be in favour of it because it would be a place of worship built for the same God as mine.
 
For a while, I wasn’t objecting to the mosque being built, but then I remembered my old Step Dad saying that when he was in Nigeria, **all **the Muslims around him were cheering at 9/11. They were even selling I <3 Saddam Husein and Binladin tee shirts.

I have a Muslim friend who seems to be against America and my Sister has converted to Islam and when she’s on the phone, her conversations are really hateful of other religions and Americans when she speaks to her Muslim friends.

Maybe it is just a coincidence that I’ve noticed all this, but I believe that it is disrespectful seeing as the most disrespectful people I’ve seen are Muslims.

However, I feel like I should be in favour of it because it would be a place of worship built for the same God as mine.
Individual experiences and observations should not change core values - the core value of America is religious freedom - the core value of Catholics is to live as Jesus taught us ‘Be not afraid’ - given these core values as Catholic Americans we should speak loudly in support of this and other mosques, temples, churches proposed around the country -

As you say - a place of worship should be supported and we can not let our individual experience influence our values -
 
“In Islamic countries if a church or synagogue falls into disrepair it cannot be fixed. A new one cannot be built. Those that exist cannot ring their bells. The Christians cannot have any processions or public displays of their faith. Where churches have been built but there can be no emblem, cross, or sign indicating that it is a church. In Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Egypt there are thriving Catholic and Orthodox communities that have existed since the time of the Apostles. All have been reduced to a tiny minority of 2nd class status, except in Lebanon. That is what we want to promulgate here in the USA?”
 
Regarding why US tax dollars are being spent on a religious venture … So, you’re okay with US tax dollars being spent on religious endeavors??? When would you like the First Amendment abolished, this year or next?
I’m all for spending US tax dollars on diplomatic missions, as was the previous republican administration who sent this same Imam on similar missions. They were/are not religious endeavors. They are diplomatic. They might really help us. Do reread what George Bush had to say about this particular Imam and and Islam in general. The First Amendment supports the right of these Sufis to build on the private property they own. Are you willing to purchase the $4.5million real estate from this group? How else could they move to another site without someone buying their investment? Do you support giving them property owned by the state of NY? wouldn’t that be state sponsoring a religion?

As for other mosques being nearby… if you were told you couldn’t build a Catholic church on your property because there are lots of christian churches in the area that you could use, only they were Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopal etc and didn’t suit your purposes, how would you feel? There are as many kinds of Islam as there are kinds of christianity.

Taliban terrorists killed ten American medical people in Afghanistan, yet we did not stop fighting FOR Muslims in that country just as we sacrificed thousands of American lives to enable Muslims to live in peace there, in Iraq and in Bosnia (there we fought FOR Muslims AGAINST Christians). Why are our soldiers dying for Muslims abroad but some would want to suppress American Muslims in the US???
 
I think* - if you really think about it -* those who want to stir hatred of the US - and who ultimately want to harm us are the ones rejoicing over the obstruction to this Mosque.

The Muslims who are happy that it will be constructed see it as a sign that the United States is what we say we are - a country where people are free to practice their faith.

Trying to obstruct this - we are becoming what the radicals say we are, anti-Muslim… **then they in fact win, **and can draw more to their fight - because we become something hateful.

The argument about another location - is nonsense - because Mosque construction is being objected to in WI, CA, TENN, ?? It is anti-Muslim / and making false links between peace loving Muslims with the radicals who brought the attacks on 9-11 only hurts us because we abandon our values as Americans.
So you would agree that the developers stated purpose of fostering understanding and tolerance is a dismal failure.?

Whether Mosques been protested in other locations is totally irrelevant as nobody but nobody has expressed opposition to the building this Mosque it in the movement further away from Ground Zero. As has been stated before opposition to building churches, mosques etc. is not that uncommon in the United States and is often for reasons that had nothing to do with religious intolerance… You cannot extrapolate the views of 300 million Americans based on opposition to three Mosques.
 
These are all related. He is, as he states, a bridge builder. For him to condemn Hamas would burn the bridges he has tried to build with organizations such as the ISNA. I bet in private he would say that the ISNA and brotherhood represent a much more radical interpretation than he himself takes. Speculation aside, in order to dialog with organizations like those, it helps to not set yourself up as their enemy through such condemnations. This is exactly the reason he gave when he refused to make a statement:

“I am a peace builder. I will not allow anybody to put me in a position where I am seen by any party in the world as an adversary or as an enemy,” Rauf said, insisting that he wants to see peace in Israel between Jews and Arabs.

In his book he says: “Through increasing our understanding of how the relationship between the Muslim world and the West went wrong, we can begin to discover ways to rebuild it.” That mission requires dialog with the organizations that feel the west is corrupt. What he was doing with the book was finding areas where those Islamic organizations and western ideals coincide so that we can begin building bridges.
A rationalized defense for the indefensible. He was somehow “looking for common ground” between Hamas and the US? He has possibly had financial ties with well document terror funders? He didn’t want to upset the delicate sensibilities of people who openly call for genocide?

I have doubts even you believe that, TTC, but hopefully, you’ve accepted these concerns as “valid”.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=6973587&postcount=673
 
And that is their right. That’s their way of making their statement. Similarly, the owners have a right to seek construction workers elsewhere and those workers have a right to accept those jobs if they so desire. Everyone exersices his or her right…that’s the way it’s supposed to work.
Be interesting to see how unions dealt with that. Imagine them trying to bring in outside contractors.
 
Ok President Obamalamadingdong is right when he stated Americans enjoy the freedom to purchase private property and to worship as they choose. He was wrong; however, in not forcefully condemning the rude and insensitive Muslims who want to build the mosque so close to Ground Zero.

Not only did our rookie President miss a pivotal and teachable moment but he also missed a leadership opportunity in failing to condemn the Muslims who want to build the mosque near Ground Zero. This is classic “rubbing it in their face” 101.

Proposing to build a mosque so close to Ground Zero is an additional and intentional stick in the eye to the USA and most egregiously to the families of those who were murdered at the hands of Islamic killers. If the Muslims who want to build the mosque can’t see and admit that, then they are truly blind to tolerance, understanding and decency—or they have another agenda that warrants increased surveillance by law enforcement.

Sure, there are peaceful Muslims who abhor violence. Not all Muslims are religious whacks who deserve a bullet. But the statistics are alarming. Last November, Newsmax reported Muslim imams preach jihad and extremism in 10% of the 2,000 mosques right here in the United States. The same article reported that, according to Pew Research Center poll, 25% of Muslims in America between the ages of 18-29 believe suicide bombings can be justified.

Bottom line: I don’t trust the proposed Muslim mosque to be a holy bastion of peace, understanding, tolerance and love of others. The mosque will attract extremists and radicals who will try to harm America. If you want to see how tolerant Muslims are just have a bunch of Christians stand on the sidewalk in front of the mosque and hand out Christian literature.

The problem America faces is not radical Muslims. The problem is that America lacks fundamental leadership and common sense from our elected officials who worship at the alter of political correctness. Instead of standing with the victims’ families of 9/11, New York City politicians chose to cast their lot with Islam, the supposed religion of peace and harmony. Me, I am not singing that tune.

If there is additional American blood spilled in the Big Apple, the politicians who supported this mosque will be as guilty as the Muslim voodoo kooks who love death and destruction in the name of Allah.

Like it or not, there is a line drawn in the sand. Which side do you stand on?
 
Be interesting to see how unions dealt with that. Imagine them trying to bring in outside contractors.
NY unions are…interesting, to say the least.😉

Imagine an inflatable rat, twenty feet high, on the sidewalk of a construction site daring to use non-union employees.
 
Why is it okay for Muslims to pray in the Pentagon but not near ground zero? Check McClathcy News Service in yesterday’s paper:
“Muslims have been praying at the Pentagon’s chapel since 2002, gathering every day at 2pm around the time of the second of five prayers Muslims are supposed to offer daily… roughly 400 worshippers attend Muslim prayer services every week in the chapel, built over the rubble left behind when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon… Men push back the altar for Christian services to make room for their prayer rugs, then move the podium so the congregation can face Mecca.”

Why is there nothing insensitive about Muslims praying daily at the Pentagon, right on the spot of the attack, and yet there is supposed to be something insensitive about them doing the same thing blocks away from ground zero where dozens of Muslims died too.??? Doesn’t compute.
 
Why is it okay for Muslims to pray in the Pentagon but not near ground zero? Check McClathcy News Service in yesterday’s paper:
“Muslims have been praying at the Pentagon’s chapel since 2002, gathering every day at 2pm around the time of the second of five prayers Muslims are supposed to offer daily… roughly 400 worshippers attend Muslim prayer services every week in the chapel, built over the rubble left behind when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon… Men push back the altar for Christian services to make room for their prayer rugs, then move the podium so the congregation can face Mecca.”

Why is there nothing insensitive about Muslims praying daily at the Pentagon, right on the spot of the attack, and yet there is supposed to be something insensitive about them doing the same thing blocks away from ground zero where dozens of Muslims died too.??? Doesn’t compute.
I don’t recall anyone saying that Muslims can’t pray near ground zero. There were specific objections to a specific mosque being built at a specific location. When the mosque was announced the developers didn’t say they were building it to give people an opportunity to pray near ground zero-they said they were building it to promote understanding and tolerance-a goal that has failed miserably. If they really want to foster understanding they should take a page from the book of John Paul the Great and sensitive manner he handled the convent next Auschwitz.
 
masjidmanhattan.com/

Here is where Muslims working in lower Manhattan including Muslims who worked at the WTC went to pray.

Both men and women.

Been there for years.

Not 15 stories with a swimming pool.
 
“In Islamic countries if a church or synagogue falls into disrepair it cannot be fixed. A new one cannot be built. Those that exist cannot ring their bells. The Christians cannot have any processions or public displays of their faith. Where churches have been built but there can be no emblem, cross, or sign indicating that it is a church. In Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Egypt there are thriving Catholic and Orthodox communities that have existed since the time of the Apostles. All have been reduced to a tiny minority of 2nd class status, except in Lebanon. That is what we want to promulgate here in the USA?”
No.
What I want is the opportunity for EVERYONE to be free to practice (or not) their religion - and I think anyone who is speaking out for the right of the Mosque feels the same way.
 
So you would agree that the developers stated purpose of fostering understanding and tolerance is a dismal failure.?
No. I would say that the 24 hour new cycle and the politicians are using this to instill fear, create and capitoliz on fear and hate, as a distraction of what really matters, and that many Americans mistakenly take the bait.
Whether Mosques been protested in other locations is totally irrelevant as nobody but nobody has expressed opposition to the building this Mosque it in the movement further away from Ground Zero. As has been stated before opposition to building churches, mosques etc. is not that uncommon in the United States and is often for reasons that had nothing to do with religious intolerance… You cannot extrapolate the views of 300 million Americans based on opposition to three Mosques.
So you believe that the opposition to one is not related to the other? Really? The burn a Koran day has nothing to do with all this either?
 
No. I would say that the 24 hour new cycle and the politicians are using this to instill fear, create and capitoliz on fear and hate, as a distraction of what really matters, and that many Americans mistakenly take the bait.
I know on the left it is common to believe that anyone who disagrees with their enlightened views has either been duped by Fox news , is a racist or both. Fortunately this is not the case-there are valid objections to this mosque. Whether you agree that they’ are not not is irrelevant-just as the Jews objections to the convent outside Auschwitz were taken seriously even though the nuns meant no offense.
So you believe that the opposition to one is not related to the other? Really? The burn a Koran day has nothing to do with all this either?
One small church had burn the Koran day-the only people that took notice of it were those on the left looking for something else to be outraged at.
 
I don’t recall anyone saying that Muslims can’t pray near ground zero. There were specific objections to a specific mosque being built at a specific location. When the mosque was announced the developers didn’t say they were building it to give people an opportunity to pray near ground zero-they said they were building it to promote understanding and tolerance-a goal that has failed miserably. If they really want to foster understanding they should take a page from the book of John Paul the Great and sensitive manner he handled the convent next Auschwitz.
And how did John Paul handle the convent move? He had the nuns move out of the Nazi bldg that had been used to store poisonous gas for the death camp and go into a new beautiful bldg just across the road where the nuns insist on keeping the 26 ft cross that had been erected for JP to say Mass. How insensitive of the pope, of the nuns. Most Germans were Christian and most Germans supported Hitler. Many of the perpetrators of the Holocaust were Christian. Hitler was baptized Catholic although, obviously, not practicing. I don’t see any message in JP’s action that relates to today’s question.
 
I believe it was Pope John Paul II who observed that just because a majority supports a view, doesn’t mean it’s right.

If this were some incindiary, Muslim extremist group with proven ties to Al Quaeda or the Taliban that would be one thing. What we do have is a group of Sufi Muslims of a mystical bent who have proven to be supporters of U.S. law and whose leader, the current imam, has served as an ambassador of sorts to the Middle East during the Bush administration.

Rather than act with intelligence you have a group of political opportunists (Gingrich) and people lacking in any form of credibility (Palin) attacking something they know very little about, yet who are more than happy to stoke the fires of miscontent, bigotry and genuine suffering for their own political ends. How deplorable.

To make matters worse according to the Wall Street Journal this empty debate is playing right into the hands of extremist groups who are using it to stoke further discontent among more extremist Muslims. So how about that - Gingrich, Palin and Bin Ladin are on the same page. Birds of the same feather fly together.
 
I know on the left it is common to believe that anyone who disagrees with their enlightened views has either been duped by Fox news , is a racist or both. Fortunately this is not the case-there are valid objections to this mosque. Whether you agree that they’ are not not is irrelevant-just as the Jews objections to the convent outside Auschwitz were taken seriously even though the nuns meant no offense.

One small church had burn the Koran day-the only people that took notice of it were those on the left looking for something else to be outraged at.
And what about the convent just outside the walls of the Dachau death camp? Jews have protested its presence for years, to no avail. And just yards away from a Jewish memorial stand a Catholic chapel. How have the popes handled that. As for Auschvwitz, moving the nuns out of the old Nazi bldg that was used for poisonous gas storage into a fine new bldg across the road is an interesting way of handling sensitivity. And how about the 26 foot tall cross, from the day JP celebrated mass nearby? the nuns insists on keeping it. I’m sick of hearing of the John Paul “solution,” as if he did anything.
 
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