Freedom of Religion ... unless that is; you are a Muslim.

[Lion]

The issue is that the doers of good in the Muslim faith do not make a point of denouncing those that claim to be of the faith are doing wrong. Nor are there any calls for them to cease their "evil" ways.

Like I said, Muslims have been saying it for a while, if no one is there to announce that the hundreds of mosques around North America are denouncing this, how are you going to know?

Ideally, what would you have Muslims do? So far, from my own personal experience, I've seen Muslims imams denounce terrorism in their sermons whenever any of these events happen, I've seen millions raised to send to Muslim countries to improve education in order to stop kids being sent to these extremist camps and graduate in suicide bombing, I've participated in muslim groups that raise money for local programs, giving food to poor (of any faith/or no faith at all). And that's just me. I find it a little insulting you've stated that the doers of good do not make it a point of denouncing the evil, when you don't even know the whole truth. It's become a huge point of frustration among Muslims that nothing is good enough. At what point will it be acceptable for you? Should the Muslims of North America march up the National Mall and state they don't like what's being done in their name, all in the name of publicity, or would you rather them actually doing something worthwhile, contributing to their communities, and abroad to slow and eventually stop the atrocities done in the name of Islam.

Seeing what people have to say about Muslims, when I am one myself is disheartening. Seeing that they are people like you who think that all my attempts to be a part of this society, being fair and kind (to the best of my abilities) still isn't good enough, and that people still associate me with the murderers who knocked down those towers is downright low. Hearing prominent politicians like Newt saying that the mosque's name (Cordoba) is a covert method of Muslims to claim victory, while no other politican has the decency to correct him or call him out on his slander depresses me.

As much as I disagree with this point about it being insensitive, I do respect those who have those opinions. What I find disgusting is the method employed to eliminate the plans for this mosque. The imam of the mosque who is the imam that the west wants, moderate, with a wife who has a voice as vocal as his, has been labelled as a terrorist supporter, the funds for the mosque has come into question (no one would ask that of a YMCA or a Jewish community centre, but a Muslim one is fair game?).

[Thorne]

I have to go with Lion on this one. The main stream media does tend to ignore those Muslims who aren't shooting guns in the air and threatening death to America. And after seeing a news report on the cultural center (NOT a mosque) which they want to build, I think the right wing in this country is creating a tempest in a teapot.

Working from memory, according to Keith Olberman, the site for the building is technically two blocks from one corner of the WTC property, but is at least four blocks from the memorial. Once built, the center will contain sports facilities, including basketball courts, meeting rooms and two prayer rooms, as opposed to an area for religious services. The building site does not have a line of sight to the WTC sight, nor would the building be visible from the WTC. And most importantly, there is already a smaller Muslim cultural center right across the street from the WTC memorial, which has been there since before the towers were built, and which has caused absolutely no problems in all these years.

Basically, the right wing nuts are protesting because American Muslims have the audacity to want to build a Muslim center within 'X' distance of the WTC. If they decided to move it further away, I have no doubt that the value of 'X' would change accordingly. Basically, they are being dicks and stirring people up for no reason at all.

[DuncanONeil]

Basically, the right wing nuts are protesting because American Muslims have the audacity to want to build a Muslim center within 'X' distance of the WTC. If they decided to move it further away, I have no doubt that the value of 'X' would change accordingly. Basically, they are being dicks and stirring people up for no reason at all.

What about the Greek Orthodox church that was within the footprint of the WTC the is apparently being prevented from rebuilding on its old site?

[Thorne]

What about the Greek Orthodox church that was within the footprint of the WTC the is apparently being prevented from rebuilding on its old site?

What does that have to do with a Mosque which will not even have line of sight with ground zero? The two are completely different. If the Greek Orthodox church were being built where they want to build this Mosque, do you think there would be any protests against it?

[DuncanONeil]

What does that have to do with a Mosque which will not even have line of sight with ground zero? The two are completely different. If the Greek Orthodox church were being built where they want to build this Mosque, do you think there would be any protests against it?

The Greek church wants its old location back and is apparently being denied that, while at the same time all this hoofarah about the mosque. It's like one has more rights than the other!

[Thorne]

The Greek church wants its old location back and is apparently being denied that, while at the same time all this hoofarah about the mosque. It's like one has more rights than the other!

I'm not certain about this, but there was a Muslim Center/Mosque right across the street from the two towers. It was damaged during 9/11, and their lease isn't being renewed. I believe that's why they want to build where they're trying to build.

But the difference is that the Greek Church wants to build (rebuild) AT ground zero. The mosque is 2-4 blocks away. There is a big difference.

[DuncanONeil]

Like I said, Muslims have been saying it for a while, if no one is there to announce that the hundreds of mosques around North America are denouncing this, how are you going to know?

Doing it in the Mosque is preaching to the choir. That does nothing to tell the rest of the community what is going on!