Imagine No Religion

[ogrevi]

I haven’t written about the “Ground Zero Mosque” for a few reasons. First, I think I’m the only one who hasn’t. Second, most of what I would say is the obvious stuff that you’ve heard lots of reasonable people say already: it isn’t at Ground Zero, it isn’t a mosque, and anyone who calls it the “Ground Zero Mosque” is automatically signaling that

Comments

[mrs_prufrock]

It matters to me, because of the arson at the mosque construction site in whereverville, in... Arkansas or somewhere? And because of the way the crowd turned on that Ground Zero construction worker, who happened to be black and wearing a hat. And because of the cabdriver who was stabbed in the neck. And because of all the incidents we DON'T hear about every day. When I see our country looking like 1939 Germany, that bothers me. I dislike all religions equally as well. But no, no one is being insensitive by building an Islamic community center in an empty building in Manhattan. It isn't insensitive, because Muslim-Americans have NOTHING to do with 9/11. Other than the fact that their persecution increased after it. Stupidity that results in violence bothers me a lot. Because of that, and because words mean things, I care about the "ground zero mosque" that is neither a mosque nor at ground zero

[ogrevi]

~~It matters to me, because of the arson at the mosque construction site in whereverville, in... Arkansas or somewhere? And because of the way the crowd turned on that Ground Zero construction worker, who happened to be black and wearing a hat. And because of the cabdriver who was stabbed in the neck.Yeah, that's what I'm saying. When people turned violent, and when local governments across the country started overstepping their bounds, then I started to care

[ogrevi]

It never occurred to me, either. When she wrote that, my first comment was "I don't understand." I still don't really believe it, just like I'm not sure I believe those numbers on the stats page. And Mrs. D has never liked that userpic anyway, so it isn't surprising she would take this opportunity to argue against it. Personally, I like it very much. But it's worth thinking about, so we'll see.

[dadadadio]

The mosquerade in NYC infuriates me on simple principle, we're supposed to be better than the religious zealots and oppressors. But our Christian society proves no better.

As an atheist I feel vindicated in my belief that Christians are no less bigoted or dangerous than the enemy they pretend to be protecting us from.

I have positive spin on this story. His honor Mayor Bloomberg has been fantastic in his position and handling of this media hyped issue. It's good to know we have one voice of reason in the pitch.

[ogrevi]

Bloomberg, of whom I am not generally a fan (though since I don't live in NY I doubt he cares) has definitely handled this very well. If I was a local, I'd be proud of him right now, though I don't know if that would make me forgive the fact that he really shouldn't be mayor at all.