Rosary against building of Ground Zero mosque

[Hunter53]

Ah yes, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion is indeed required reading for any conspiracy theorist.

I wasn’t talking about the protocols, try Fatima in Twilight. I also have many other CATHOLIC books that talk about this. About 12 million Catholics died at the hands of zionist communists in Russia. Did they die in vain? And yes I am a conspiracy theorist.

 

[4elise]

I don’t think I’ve ever read such a bizarre distortion of the reality on the ground in Britain today - what’ve you’ve written is worthy of the BNP or the NF.

I’ll refer you to a survey undertaken by the Policy Exchange, a centre-right think thank, back in 2008. 93% of British Muslims have ‘no admiration for organisations such as Al-Qaeda that are prepared to fight the west’. 64% of Muslims thought a decision by one British council to ban images of pigs in its offices to avoid offence to Muslims was ‘unnecessary’. 75% disagreed with another council’s ban on advertisements for a carol service for the same reason. Another survey found that 77% of Muslims identified with Britain, compared to only 50% of the general public.

To paint the Islamic population of Britain, or of the US, as some kind of ‘fifth column’ is nonsense of the highest calibre. True, there are violent extremists in the Islamic population, but there are plenty of extremist outside of it. Robert Cottage, the BNP parliamentary candidate who was found in possession of Britain’s largest ever explosive chemical haul wasn’t a Muslim, neither were the Hutaree militia in the US, who are currently awaiting trial for terror offences.

To move on to the Ground Zero mosque debate itself, I can see no reason why a mosque should not be permitted on that site. Should we prohibit Sikh temples on the west coast of Ireland, because extremist Sikhs blew up an Indian airliner there? The World Trade Centre terrorists bear no more relation to the reasonable people behind the Cordoba Mosque than the Branch Davidians do to ordinary Christians. To allow the construction of the mosque would show the world (especially Muslims worldwide) that the spirit of religious tolerance the United States was founded upon is not dead.

The misuse of the Blessed Rosary to pray against this mosque is even more appalling. As has been said by others here, the Rosary is not a weapon designed to futher intolerance. Many of the comments made here go directly against the teachings of the Church with regards to Catholic-Muslim relations. Nostra Aetate states that “The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems”, documenting the many beliefs we share with Islam, and going on to note that “this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.” Popes Pius XI, Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI were all admirers of Louis Massignon, the late French Melkite priest, scholar of Islam, and personal friend of Blessed Charles de Foucald. Massignon paved the way for the Islamic section of Nostra Aetate.

I have been told (though do not know if it is true) that Mary is named more in the Qur’an than in the Bible - how perfect to utilize the Rosary to pray for an end to this hatred and misunderstanding that exists and is being exacerbated by this issue…

 

[torch621]

How about instead we pray for their conversion from the Satanic deception of Islam to Christ and His Church? If you ask me, that’s a more worthy goal than simply praying for something not to be built.

 

[kamaan]

How about instead we pray for their conversion from the Satanic deception of Islam to Christ and His Church? If you ask me, that’s a more worthy goal than simply praying for something not to be built.

This. Pray the rosary not just for the conversion of Muslims, but Jews, Protestants, pagans, and atheists as well. That is definitely a worthy cause that every Catholic can support!

 

[malphono]

For starters, it seems most of the complaining is from media mouths and not the Orthodox Archbishop or Orthodox community. If you go to the church’s webpage there is no complaints listed that I can find. So unless someone has a quote from the Archbishop contrasting his faith’s plight vs. the Muslim center’s, I suggest they be left out of a fight aren’t willing to enter.

Strange, then, that several members of the St Nicholas board have been speaking publicly of late. I’m not sure what “no complaints” on the website means. They are caught-up in bureaucratic red-tape and still don’t have a church after all this time.

Secondly, St. Nicholas church is actually part of Ground Zero. That means its incorporated in with every other aspect of rebuilding the area. According to the [NYT](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/nyregion/03trade.html?pagewanted=1&n=Top/Reference/Times Topics/People/B/Bagli, Charles V&_r=1) there’s 26 inter-related projects across 16 acres. Everything at Ground Zero is overdue and overcost. Some projects have to be completed first before others can begin. There’s also still back and forth going on over the size of the new church as well as how much money the Port Authority is going to kick in.

I’m well aware of the location. But I must say the above quote was a lovely defense of both the real-estate developers greed and typical New York bureaucratic foot-dragging.

It seems to me that comparing St. Nicholas to the Muslim center is apples to oranges…

It’s not a comparison and the cases are not exactly the same. One is an Orthodox Christian church that existed for the better part of a century. The other is not.

 

[nannymar]

This is how I feel about it too.

If we get too angry about this issue, we will appear like this Christian. VIDEO

The gentleman in the very pink tie is a very knowledgeable biblical scholar. He happens to be Jewish. An Arab newspaper says he did a wonderful job defending them.

I don’t think excluding someone or a religion because someone’s feelings might get hurt is a good policy to follow. What would Jesus do?

I agree to uphold the freedom of practicing our individual religions and in doing this we are practicing God’s law to " Do unto others as you would want to be done unto yourself" Our Triune God is just as much One as Allah is One.

 

[PaulJason]

Do you honestly think we are not being invaded, and that Islam is not out to take over the world? The only thing that has changed is tactics.

Interesting. Living in the south I hear the same thing about all those awful Mexican Catholics and that the Pope is sending them in to take over this “Christian Nation” and make it Catholic.

There are currently more Buddhist in the United States then Muslims do we worry about them.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Strange, then, that several members of the St Nicholas board have been speaking publicly of late. I’m not sure what “no complaints” on the website means. They are caught-up in bureaucratic red-tape and still don’t have a church after all this time.

The St. Nicholas website contains nothing that complains about the pace of the project. The archdiocesan page says simply that they are working with NYC to get it done. Google searching leads to no “speaking up” that can easily be accessed. Given the yelling about St. Nicholas by some media mouths you’d think such 1st hand griping would be easy to come by.
Either way, I’ll let them speak for themselves. If they object that’s up to them.

I’m well aware of the location. But I must say the above quote was a lovely defense of both the real-estate developers greed and typical New York bureaucratic foot-dragging.

It wasn’t a “defense” of anything, it was recognizing the reality that rebuilding Ground Zero has gone on at a snail’s pace and is way over budget. Its a red taped nightmare. But that doesn’t in any way mean that NYC is preventing a new church from being built. NYC is just incompetent on the rebuilding of Ground Zero.

 

[Victorious]

There are currently more Buddhist in the United States then Muslims do we worry about them.

I always worry about things that tend to the erosion of the Catholic faith. But when Buddhism adopts the principle that it is to be spread by the sword, I will put it on a par with Islam.

 

[crazzeto]

I joined the facebook group, as well as started the rosary on the feast of the assumption however I failed to complete it on that day (literally rolled over to monday in the middle of the prayer). Certainly I hope God accepted my intention along with everyone elses.

 

[malphono]

The St. Nicholas website contains nothing that complains about the pace of the project. The archdiocesan page says simply that they are working with NYC to get it done. Google searching leads to no “speaking up” that can easily be accessed. Given the yelling about St. Nicholas by some media mouths you’d think such 1st hand griping would be easy to come by.
Either way, I’ll let them speak for themselves. If they object that’s up to them.

It wasn’t a “defense” of anything, it was recognizing the reality that rebuilding Ground Zero has gone on at a snail’s pace and is way over budget. Its a red taped nightmare. But that doesn’t in any way mean that NYC is preventing a new church from being built. NYC is just incompetent on the rebuilding of Ground Zero.

Whatever.

 

[Lycorth]

I’ll pray the Rosary! This is a disgrace and an insult to the memory of those innocents who were slaughtered by the Mohammedan heathens on 9/11. This is direct provocation and I am surprised the American citizens are allowing this to happen.

Amen!

 

[jlasserton]

I will certainly pray the rosary. I do not like the idea of a mosque. This should not be allowed to happen. I hope that with our strong faith our prayers will help.

 

[ConvertaKat]

I would like to take this one step further.

For anyone in the area that they are proposing to build this place, please, get some Miraculous Medals, take them to the site of the current building and place them somewhere in or around the place.
Slip them into cracks, leave them in plain sight. Do what you can.

Do this with the intention that Our Lady will work upon the hearts of the people behind the mosque, that they will see how much hurt and division their building there will cause and that they will back off and build somewhere else.

I got this idea from our priest this past Sunday. He was telling of how in his home parish, a store selling occult items opened up next to the church! While others wrung their hands and screamed at city council, a group of devote church ladies laid siege on the place with the medals, holy water and the pure belief that Our Lady would see their concern and help.

6 months later, the place closed down for lack of business.
1 year later, the store was torn down and the site became a parking lot…for the church that was now growing.

Again, I am NOT saying that the muslim group has no right to build or worship as they see fit, I am saying that the wound in that area runs too deep. Not there, not now.

 

[crazzeto]

^^^^^
I like this!

 

[Hesychios]

The new Muslim mosque is going to be two blocks away from the WTC site, in any najor city that is not like being “at” the site. Has anyone been there? I would like a local resident to come here and post on it, I understand the area has a little bit of everything, including sex toy shops and massage parlors. If so, a mosque would certainly be an uplifting change.

I think people should spend more time preaching the Gospel to their neighbors, and less time worrying about the location of this mosque.

 

[crazzeto]

The new Muslim mosque is going to be two blocks away from the WTC site, in any najor city that is not like being “at” the site. Has anyone been there? I would like a local resident to come here and post on it, I understand the area has a little bit of everything, including sex toy shops and massage parlors. If so, a mosque would certainly be an uplifting change.

I think people should spend more time preaching the Gospel to their neighbors, and less time worrying about the location of this mosque.

I suppose it’s very easy to feel the way you do about the Mosque, certainly on the face of it it seems like hey maybe that’s kind of a walk from the site…

Until one considers the fact that the very people who organized the attackes will certainly view this as a sign from God of the Holyness of what they did. It can’t be allowed. Certainly not to appease moderates who could care one way or the other about this Mosque.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I also do not want a mosque near WTC in NYC. However, this may blow up in the faces of all religions. Why? Whatever argument people use to stop this from happening on private land, it may be used against us as well. This will set a legal precedent. If for example the reason used by people is that a mosque is offensive to the given site, then what will stop a group of atheisst from stopping the building of a new Catholic church because they find it offensive to be erected in said site? We must tread this water carefully or else it might come back to bite us.

I agree with the thread topic, let us pray for it. God will give us the answer that will not only prevent this from happening, but the solution will be something that cannot be used against us.

 

[Onegin]

I have to say I am very sad and disgusted by this. To use the Rosary for clearly hateful reasons is sickening.

Nothing the OP said was hateful.

Opposing the building of a religious structure somewhere does not equal hatred. Unfortunately, a lot of people fall for such poor reasoning which is why there can be little civil discussion when people who disagree with an action are labelled as allegedly “hating” Muslims or mosques.

I live in a country (UK) with a large and vocal Islamic community. The majority of these individuals are generally peaceful, but a lot of them openly declare that they want to destroy Christianity, and by extension, Western democracy.

Thank you for mentioning this, I’m glad you did. Also, I believe that the Imam at this particular mosque has refused to condemn Hamas as well as calls for Sharia law. So I think this puts him in the category that many peace-loving Islamic people want to distance themselves from - namely an individual who (apparently) leans radical.

Also (correct me if I’m wrong as I heard this on the radio), apparently while the mosque building approval in NYC is being expedited, a nearby Greek Orthodox Church is still being denied the opportunity to rebuild their church that was destroyed in 9/11. Apparently the local officials are refusing to meet with the church and plans are stalled. Perhaps someone can give more info on this because I think it is quite curious (and telling) given what is going on with the mosque.

The short version of this is that I echo Dempsey’s sentiments and urge American Catholics to consider this issue carefully. Things in Britain are becoming insane - political correctness has reached the point where displaying the St. George’s flag is considered racist or offensive to foreigners. Even patriotism is supposed to be downplayed to be palatable for those who find the western culture sinful or offensive.

 

[Hesychios]

I also do not want a mosque near WTC in NYC. However, this may blow up in the faces of all religions. …

I can agree with this line of thinking.

We cannot hound out Muslims, because we might not be next but eventually we could be hounded out too. WE can try to pray them out, but how far has this gotten us thus far?

I agree with the thread topic, let us pray for it. God will give us the answer that will not only prevent this from happening, but the solution will be something that cannot be used against us.

I too don’t like the fact that a mosque or community center is being situated there. I wish it wasn’t. I wish there wasn’t a single mosque in Manhattan.

But why pray for this? Shouldn’t these precious prayers be committed for a more important set of purposes? How about for peace? How about for literacy and medicines around the world? How about for relief of the suffering … and clean drinking water for the flood victims of Pakistan right now (arguably one of the greatest human tragedies of our time, unfolding right now as this thread is growing)?

This issue is a distinctly American parochial issue (no surprise since CAF is 90% American). I guess all issues are parochial but if these people are willing to purchase private property with real greenbacks and someone else is willing to sell it, what have we to do with that? This is something we should pester God over? We should pray to stop a private business transaction in 2010?

Prayers didn’t keep Jerusalem from falling to the Muslims, not once but twice. And the land was anointed with the blood of many Christians defending it, many were professed monks and nuns. I am sure they had their rosary beads in hand. Fervent tearful prayers rose up from all over Europe too. Still today Muslims are everywhere in the holiest place on earth from the Sinai to Galilee.

If the rest of Manhattan is not really Christian it’s comparatively not really much of a loss, except to our pride, and our pride is the biggest obstacle to our salvation.

Praying for God to intervene to remove these people, or to prevent them from coming, does not work. Using force will not work. It all has already been tried and found wanting.

Perhaps we need to defeat them in the marketplace of ideas, perhaps we have to be the Christians we have ever been called to be. Perhaps we need to set a better example, and just possibly the people of Manhattan will turn to Christ and a mosque will give way to a church.