Mosque at 51 Park Place, NY, NY

[classicman]

I think its akin to the relatives of the guys that murdered your husband/wife/children/parents/friends and or neighbors moving in down the street from you. . . sorta.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by classicman

I think its akin to the relatives of the guys that murdered your husband/wife/children/parents/friends and or neighbors moving in down the street from you. . . sorta.

A real big sorta...

[classicman]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

A real big sorta...

How so?
If you were closer to this perhaps you'd think differently.
I know people who used to work at the WTC and/or lost loved ones in the attack - thats pretty much what they've told me.

[SamIam]

Just because you are a Muslim doesn't mean that you are a terrorist any more than being a Christian means you're a member of the Spanish inquisition.

We either have freedom of religion in this country or we don't. I for one do not want a government that tells me when and where I can worship the god(s) it has chosen for me.

[glatt]

There's nothing to discuss.

The US Constitution says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by classicman

How so?
If you were closer to this perhaps you'd think differently.
I know people who used to work at the WTC and/or lost loved ones in the attack - thats pretty much what they've told me.

Honestly, it is more situation dependent than anything. Even though legally there is very little that can be done, if the mosque was sponsored or run by extremists Muslims, yes, that would be very insulting to anyone who was affected by 9/11. If the mosque is like most mosques in the US, and not radical, then there is no more relation between them and Al Qaeda as there is between a liberal Christian and the Westboro fuckers.

I think it is in bad taste either way but whatever.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

I think it is in bad taste either way but whatever.

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[Sundae]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Honestly, it is more situation dependent than anything. Even though legally there is very little that can be done, if the mosque was sponsored or run by extremists Muslims, yes, that would be very insulting to anyone who was affected by 9/11. If the mosque is like most mosques in the US, and not radical, then there is no more relation between them and Al Qaeda as there is between a liberal Christian and the Westboro fuckers..

^ What he said ^

I think it is in bad taste either way but whatever.

WTF???
That's like saying no Christians can attend funerals because of the Westboro fuckers?!

You either have a Constitution or you don't.
If you guarantee rights and are justifiably proud that you did so WAY before any other country, then you have to stick to that, unpleasant incidents notwithstanding.

If you penalise New York dwelling American Muslims, tax paying, law abiding, family oriented people who came to America to live and worship in freedom then I have to ask what you have left to defend.

[Shawnee123]

But but but, Sundae, they might be here illegally, taking all the jobs cleaning hotels and stuff. They look different so we must be very wary.

Seriously, that is such a good point. What is there left to defend: a xenophobic nation that certainly didn't start out as such. Small-minded people are scared to death.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

If you penalize New York dwelling American Muslims, tax paying, law abiding, family oriented people who came to America to live and worship in freedom then I have to ask what you have left to defend.

How are they being penalized? From what I have been told those who lost loved ones simply don't want it so close to the WTC. When asked how far away was far enough - no concrete answer. You can't really draw a line in the sand on something like this.

Like he said ...

I think it is in bad taste either way but whatever.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by classicman

those who lost loved ones simply don't want it so close to the WTC.

I understand this, but ultimately, they don't get a say.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

WTF???
That's like saying no Christians can attend funerals because of the Westboro fuckers?!

You either have a Constitution or you don't.
If you guarantee rights and are justifiably proud that you did so WAY before any other country, then you have to stick to that, unpleasant incidents notwithstanding.

If you penalise New York dwelling American Muslims, tax paying, law abiding, family oriented people who came to America to live and worship in freedom then I have to ask what you have left to defend.

Penalize how? I do not support taking away their right to build a mosque near the WTC.

My stance on this topic is that it should be a non-issue. Unless they purposely built the mosque as close to the WTC as possible, I don't see this as an insult. On the other hand, I do believe it was in bad taste unless they had a good logical reason for building the mosque on that site, which they very well may.

It is similar to those guys who wore an American flag t-shirt on Cinco de Mayo. I don't see it as an insult to Mexican culture unless they purposely tried to make a statement, and it seemed like they weren't. On the other hand, even if they did wear that shirt on regular occasion, I still think it is in bad taste to wear it on that day. They have a right to wear it, just like these Muslims have a right to build the mosque there, but they both had to know it would start some controversy and many times it is better to just avoid those situations.