i'm a puerto rican-american muslim born and raised in brooklyn. now i completely understand where the sensitivity lies here and yes it would be nice and more peaceful if they just built the mosque somewhere else i'm not entirely sure what they wish to prove but they have their right. I honestly just wish that people would take the time to understand our religion because it clearly teaches to stay away from violence and war unless your fighting for your life we're not being threatend by anyone. I was 6 years old when the 9/11 attack happend and even i knew that theres no way muslims would do such a thing...these people aren't muslims they may be from the middle east but there are muslims everywhere why aren't the muslims in china and europe and austarlia being called terrorists as well? There is no possible way these people could have been muslim because they are NOT following the religion. When i was 9a man spit at my mother while we were walking down the street. it hurt so bad seeing that because someone who was wearing a beard and looks middle eastern blew up a monument that people were taking it out on the muslims who are following our religion. I'm 14 years old now and i understand a lot of what is going on much better than when i waz younger. yes it would be better if they built it somewhere else since most people are very sensitive about this but we're human beings just like you, our religion and your religion are like 2 beams of light...seperate but coming from the same source. Me being young and growing up here and knowing this is where my children will grow up i just wish people would take time to understand us instead of constantly slandering us
BRAVO Katie - I cannot believe 18 percent of Americans believe President Obama is muslim. I'm afraid I'd have to say I wasn't aware that 18 percent of Americans are that stupid!
As for the mosque - yes we do have freedom of religion and they really are entitled to build their mosque there...but wouldn't it have been nice if they said they understood the sensitivity about the area and were willing to build elsewhere - wouldn't that have been a nice thing and a humane thing to do and wouldn't it have made them more human to us?
On the other hand, nobody seems to mention the christian church nearby that was destroyed on 9/11 and still has not been given permission to rebuild!
I really don't think Freedom of Religion is what this argument of the Mosque is all about. It is about the insensitivity of the Muslims to pick a location for their church that is right across the street from Ground Zero. Where is their COMMON SENSE? They can put their Mosque anywhere in the 5 Bouroughs of New York City but choosing to put up a Mosque right across the street from the former Twin Towers shows a real lack of sensible and reasonable judgement on their part. That poor judgement is earning them real animosity from the New Yorkers and they have to realize that.
"We cannot let fear and rage tear down the towers of our core American values."
Kate has built herself a nice little straw man. Hardly anyone who is against this mosque has suggested using government power to stop it. That would be a refutation of American values. What is actually happening is that people who are against the mosque are exercising their right to free speech. Nothing more American than that!
The conservatives' keep saying we need to respect the Constitution but the implied caveat is always "unless you're Muslim or we find it otherwise inconvenient".
What if Mr. Obama were a Muslim? Where is the freedom of religion? He is still our President and US citizen, and he doesn't need to apologize (or explain) for his religion, whatever that is, that's his business and his only.
The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
Reply to Comment The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
As for the mosque - yes we do have freedom of religion and they really are entitled to build their mosque there...but wouldn't it have been nice if they said they understood the sensitivity about the area and were willing to build elsewhere - wouldn't that have been a nice thing and a humane thing to do and wouldn't it have made them more human to us?
On the other hand, nobody seems to mention the christian church nearby that was destroyed on 9/11 and still has not been given permission to rebuild!
Kate has built herself a nice little straw man. Hardly anyone who is against this mosque has suggested using government power to stop it. That would be a refutation of American values. What is actually happening is that people who are against the mosque are exercising their right to free speech. Nothing more American than that!