(no subject)

[sophiaserpentia]

Look, I have to say something about the 'Ground Zero Mosque,' because frankly, what I'm seeing disgusts me to no end.

First of all, I'm appalled by the very fact that anyone opposes it. I am not personally a huge fan of Islam, any more than I'm a fan of Christianity, generally speaking; the two religions are about 97% identical and mainstream versions of both think I am hellbound. But I do think that Muslims, like Christians, as members of our society have the right to practice their religion openly, in peace.

Muslims were among the Americans killed on 9/11. Muslims are among the US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Muslims pay taxes (or avoid them, hehehe) just like everyone else in the US. To say that a mosque near Ground Zero is an 'affront' to survivors' families (1) overlooks the families of Muslims killed there and (2) papers over the distinction between peaceful Muslims and Islamist terrorists. It is thus a position rooted in sheer prejudice. Opposing the mosque near Ground Zero is like opposing a church near the spot where the Murrah building once stood in Oklahoma City.

Second of all, the ADL can take a flying leap into the Hudson River. They showed their true colors with their self-serving opposition to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and they show their true colors again by adding their voice to those of the haters on this issue.

Comments

[stacymckenna.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Well and truly said.

[xephyr.livejournal.com]

Good points.

Also note:
1. It's not at "Ground Zero", but several blocks away.
2. It's not a "Mosque", but a multi-story building that includes, on one floor, an Islamic community center.
3. There is already an active Mosque closer to "Ground Zero" -- and it's been there for a dozen years.
4. Folks in NYC aren't opposed to it, and wonder why folks in Iowa and Florida think they have a right to dictate metropolitan planning.

[ohari.livejournal.com]

This.

Absolutely this.

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Well said.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

Did you see the news story about the bus ad due to appear in NYC soon?

[cennetig.livejournal.com]

My take on this has largely been to try to mentally flip the circumstances. The one that comes to mind it maybe over blown but I use it because I have actually read about plots to attack the site.

If a group of Christian terrorists succeeded in blowing up the Dome of the Rock, killing lots of muslims in the process, how would it be viewed ten years later if a Christian organization wanted to build something large close to the sight.

My guess is there would be outrage from the muslim world and the same people who are calling the bigots "bigots" in NYC would think it was totally inappropriate for the Christians to build.

I don't think its that shocking that people are outraged. I am not particularly outraged, but neither am I outraged that people are outraged. My take is that 9/11 happened... but that its repercussions are largely the result of joint propaganda projects by muslim extremists, conservative western extremists, a US administration that had much to gain, and the mainstream muslim world that really hesitated to "fully" condemn the act for far to long to make their disapproval believable. So the project was successful on many fronts and people that condemn the response aught to point so something other than simple bigotry.

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

Well, the one part I object to is the demolishing a 150 year old building. Now, that may be nothing in NYC, but that out-dates everything in my city, as everything older burned down in 1889. That said, what gets me is these are the sort of Muslim that the right should love. These are the kinder. gentler face of Islam in America. These are the folks led by the guy who wrote an extensive fatwa against religious violence.

[kellcrow7.livejournal.com]

HEAR HEAR.

[decafdyke.livejournal.com]

Very well said.
I work across the street from the site in question. I'm psyched for the Middle Eastern Food Court portion of Cordoba House.