Tolerance, a Two Way Street

[ying_ko_4]

I am quite saddened by the amount of emotional "debate" over the so-called Ground Zero Mosque.  This really isn't an issue to me, nor should it be to anyone else.  The Constitution is quite clear about it.  Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom of Religion.  Last I looked, Islam is a religion.    The Muslims who want to build their mosque there should

Comments

[descartes_rock]

To build a mosque on the site where a whole bunch of people were killed by islamic fundamentalists in one of the most disturbing acts of violence ever seen in North America is a slap in the face to all the families that were wrecked by the attack. There's a thin line between tolerance and bending over, and I think if I were American, I could sense something mighty big moving up behind me on this one.

I believe in the rule of law as much as the next guy, but dogmatism doesn't serve democracy. If a think is patently wrong, then I think we have to look beyond the constitution. Each situation needs to be judged on its own conditions. There is no such thing as a rule without exceptions. I wouldn't feel at all uncomfortable with these people being told to build their mosque somewhere else.

[ying_ko_4]

I am not a great believer in situational ethics.

I don't think this is the brightest idea the people behind the mosque have ever had. Yet, by not allowing it to be built we are playing right into their hands. We are loudly and very strongly stating that the US hates Islam. And if you don't think the Radical Clerics won't have a field day with this if it doesn't go through...?

So, let them build it. Then sell pork chops on their sidewalks, have a gay bar and a strip club on the same block. Then, we shall find out about Tolerance as it is lived by them. Fair is fair, after all.

[hekidanjo]

So, by your logic no more Christian churches should be built? It takes no huge look into history to find some atrocity or another committed by some fool brandishing a cross. We don't hold people responsible for the actions of others.

The line between bending over and tolerance is determined by fear. If you live in fear of being bent over, I would imagine that much of the world does look like a rapist. We are brave enough to risk our well being for the sake of our principles. Our principles are at the end the best thing about us and well worth dying for.

This isn't about dogma but it is about democracy...in the worst sense of the word. The howling mob without reason who is willing to abandon what we hold dear simply to satisfy some misplaced outrage or unfounded fear. It is at these times I marvel at the wisdom of the founders of this country to not leave us our governance at the hands of these screeching monkeys.

[ying_ko_4]

I don't think he is advocating no more Christian churches being built, or anything quite so extreme. The problem is, reacting to this from a purely emotional place, opposition makes perfect sense and I get where people are coming from.

I view this whole Mosque business as a test of our principles, our belief in what it honestly means to be the United States of America. Because you know that there wouldn't be this sort of tolerance in Theocratic Muslim countries.

[uguardian]

I heard somewhere the other day that they aren't proposing to build the mosque on Ground Zero, just in the same neighborhood as Ground Zero.

There's a world of difference between the two I think.

But I do like the picture that you've painted of flaming gay redneck delicatessens.

[ying_ko_4]

h, I know it isn't at Ground Zero...that's just what the media is calling it.

And I get it. I really understand why people are offended and royally bothered by the whole idea. I just am not crazy about the politicians getting involved. Especially the ones from out of state who show up to get on TV and the like.

No, this isn't a great idea but there are better ways to combat it than going to court or selling the Constitution down the toilet.

And that's what we could call the Sammich Shop: The Flaming Gay Redneck Deli and BBQ Pit.

[uguardian]

With Ru Paul as the host and Buddy Cole as the Guest of Honor.

[ext_241917]

I suppose it seems a ridiculous point to make, but it seems to me that people are forgetting that innocent muslims died in the attacks, too. we all just ought to get along, for realz.

geez. I'm too old for this.

of mosque on ground zero

[ext_187735]

.... as a muslim, I'd say if they raised too much heat, let's build a mosque SOMEWHERE else.

The same thought with politicians here... why are they so concerned about ridiculously less important issues?

Freedom in religion is part of our constitution too. Two men were sentenced to jail for trying to burn a church earlier this year. Religious zealots are a pain.

[hekidanjo]

I'll march in the front of that parade.
Honestly there is nothing more American to me than having a bunch of monumental screw-ups in your group/clan/family. So too it is with the Muslims. The terrorists are not representative of Islam any more than Westboro Baptist are representative of Christianity.

To my mind there is absolutely no greater way to show how amazing we are as a nation than wholeheartedly embracing this mosque.