Mosques

[Hatta]

If you're anti-mosque, you are anti-freedom of religion, and therefore anti-american.

[ieatramen]

I dunno, seems like saying you're opposed to a mosque at ground zero is stereotyping. It's like saying this religion is responsible for the actions of a select group of people.

Perhaps it is stereotyping, but the reason I am opposed to the ground zero thing is not because, "one muslim is a suicidal maniac...so that means they all are, damnit!" It's more like a respect/courtesy thing. Whoever is in charge of putting that mosque there is choosing to strong arm his religious right over the hurt and wounds of hundreds of thousands of people.

If they are forced to build elsewhere, then i think their religious rights have been forfeited. But if they don't build elsewhere then they are being dicks. I think the best solution is for them to "regretfully choose another location to build our mosque, out of respect for the wishes of those who lost someone in the tragic twin tower incident". Then they will really be the heroes of this whole thing.

[Xonticus]

I heard that this building will not only be a Mosque, but a full fledged cultural center with added amenities.

To be honest, I hope they put a Mosque near ground zero to remind Americans that extremists don't represent a religion as a whole. Also, mosques provide religious sanctuary to nearly all religious beliefs, so they are open to everybody.

The only argument I could see ever being looked at seriously, is if it would be any objections to any religious facility to be located there at all, regardless if it were a Mosque, a Temple, a Church, whatever.

I read somewhere that Muslims make up t least 10% of NYC's population and of course may more flood in for tourism/family/work. They are here to stay, why not welcome them and become part of their community as well? I think a cultural center in general would be a great idea.

[MrPopo]

A church near where I live was recently bought over and converted into a mosque.
I'm not comfortable with things like this. I don't want the culture of my country to drastically alter, and it seems that that is what's slowly going to happen.
So basically, mosques: not on my turf.

The culture of America is one of the freedom to practice whatever religion you want. And Christianity has a huge missionary tradition to it, which is even worse in my opinion. In general when American Muslims build a mosque it's so they have a place to worship same as anyone else. They aren't really trying to spread their religion to the non-Muslims (though they'll happily accept you). But the Christian Mission is all about converting a foreign culture to their way of thinking.

[Luke]

Not a damn thing wrong with Mosques.

[Gnashvar]

Even if you don't like to have a Mosque in your area you have to respect the right of people to build one.

[dsheinem]

Since you are all just guessing about the ground zero mosque, here are some facts:

- "the plan for the centre won wide support at community board meetings in May, when the concept was presented in more detail: in addition to the worship space, the $100 million complex would hold an auditorium, meeting rooms, exhibition areas, a bookstore, a swimming pool, and a cafeteria serving specialties from Muslim countries. Proponents who spoke on behalf of the project at the hearing said the centre would be a symbol of religious tolerance in the face of extremism. Several New York religious and interfaith groups have also backed the project."

(The full article is a good read: http://www.france24.com/en/20100723-gro ... islam-9-11)

-"Some 500 worshipers already use the site of the old Burlington Coat Factory for Friday prayers."

(Also a decent article: http://abcnews.go.com/US/ground-mosque- ... d=10670631)

- Wikipedia's entry on the imam behind it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feisal_Abdul_Rauf

[J T]

I think the best solution is for them to "regretfully choose another location to build our mosque, out of respect for the wishes of those who lost someone in the tragic twin tower incident". Then they will really be the heroes of this whole thing.

But that's like conceding to the idea that it is a bad idea for them to locate there in the first place. I don't know their intentions, but presumably they just want a mosque in their area, and that area just happens to be ground zero.

[Xonticus]

Since you are all just guessing about the ground zero mosque, here are some facts:

- "the plan for the centre won wide support at community board meetings in May, when the concept was presented in more detail: in addition to the worship space, the $100 million complex would hold an auditorium, meeting rooms, exhibition areas, a bookstore, a swimming pool, and a cafeteria serving specialties from Muslim countries. Proponents who spoke on behalf of the project at the hearing said the centre would be a symbol of religious tolerance in the face of extremism. Several New York religious and interfaith groups have also backed the project."

(The full article is a good read: http://www.france24.com/en/20100723-gro ... islam-9-11)

-"Some 500 worshipers already use the site of the old Burlington Coat Factory for Friday prayers."

(Also a decent article: http://abcnews.go.com/US/ground-mosque- ... d=10670631)

- Wikipedia's entry on the imam behind it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feisal_Abdul_Rauf

I remember reading that somewhere, which is why I referenced it as a Cultural Center, and obviously offers more than a fancy sitting room to pray. Good link

[GamerMON]

Uh isn't everything a few blocks away from the WTC? It isn't like they are trying to build in the foot print of tower 2 or anything. If you are a bigot who doesn't like islam, just admit it and argue your case. Hiding your bigotry behind 9/11 proves you are either lying to everyone or yourself. I don't like extremist of any religion. But these protests are just saying to the Muslim world "Hey we are that red neck backwards muslim hating world you thought we were."

"The local tiny Muslim community was in a state of shock because most of them were born in America and had lived very happily in the small community," he says. "People say, 'Go back home,' and they say, 'Where do we go? This is our home.' "