10/20/2010
(NOTE: PLEASE ALSO READ THE COMMENTS TO THIS POST AS THEY ARE OF HIGH IMPORTANCE!)
*Many opinion oriented statements below have changed, and I ask that everyone read the entire blog including comments before making a judgment and or comment. Thank you.
There is a topic of HUGE debate over having an Islamic Mosque built at the Ground Zero location in Manhattan New York.
I can understand that this fight is not against Muslims; but the occurrence of 9/11 is of national sympathy. Many loved ones were lost on this tragic day, and the scar that remains from this happening may never fully heal.
Let me put this in a different perspective. Hypothetically, what if this story was reversed and a Christian denomination took the lives of many in an Islamic area. How would these Muslims take to this same religious group, Christians, wanting to build a Church exactly where the tragedy occurred? It is obvious that this would not even be of a topic of debate for the Islamic groups. So why then, may I ask, is this of debate in the current circumstance at hand?
My stance, as an American born Christian, is to love all equally. The fact that there is a push to build a Mosque in the Ground Zero location, the same location that was destroyed by an association of the Islamic religion feels to me like a slap in the face, or more over, a symbol of triumph. This is the obvious feeling of those whom are in objection of this actualization.
I once had to give advice to someone whom needed to debate this topic during a University lesson. The people on this person’s debate team had to debate on the (Pro-Islamic Mosque Building) side, per say. At first, just hearing about this on ABC news toward the end of the summer, I was at a heated anger for those whom were supporting this idea of this Mosque. Then I tried to think of anything possible to be unbiased for a moment. As hard as I tried, I could not.
Although I have nothing against those whom are Muslim, and have many friends in all religious and cultural backgrounds, I was just offended of the idea, and felt it to represent a sign of victory for such a tragic memory in the lives of all Americans.
I just cannot comprehend how this proposal came about. It will cause riots if this continues to be an open idea! This is a topic that will hurt the hearts of many to even ponder!
Wow.. This is good.. Never thought of looking at it like that.. If Christians were the ones who did such a thing to the Muslims, It would be a totally different story. I see it as this, If your going to build a Mosque on or around the location where such tragedy occurred, You really are going to cause some suspicion. Its just going to make americans hate them more, and disrespect them more .. But nice post "Ella" lol..
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input Daniel. I do agree that if the building of the Islamic temple at Ground Zero does occur, suspicion without a doubt will rise and cause more hostility than there already is. I say, if it is not going to help, why do it? If it poses a risk of threat on either side, why let it pass? That was exactly my point.
ReplyDeleteI just left a longgg response but it got deleted when I tried to post it! too tired, I'll try to rewrite it tomorrow =(
ReplyDeleteSweet blog Gabby! I've got two thoughts...
ReplyDelete1) Remember the guys that attacked Columbine high school? They were Christians (obviously some very extremist, fringe Christians with some messed up ideas). Suppose someone proposed building a Christian church up the block from Columbine high school. Now suppose there was a huge uproar of dissent from the community because:
"You can't build a church there! The guys that attacked the school were Christians! building a church there is like a slap in the face! It's a sign of victory for the attackers!!!"
See how that sounds? I think our problem is that as Americans, we have a hard time separating Al-Qaeda and other extremest terrorist groups from mainstream Islam. Their actions were in direct violation of what the Islamic church teaches.
In summary, I think we need to stop lumping all people of Islam together in the same group, in the same way we cannot judge all Christians based on the actions of a few twisted people.
2) The federal government has no power whatsoever to limit the construction of a specific building in New York, particularly a church. Quote from the first amendment to the constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
If the government ignores the constitution, and refuses to allow the Mosque to be built, it is setting a very dangerous precedent. What if, some day in the future, someone wants to build a Hindu temple in a predominately Christian neighborhood? What if the people don't like it, and Congress says "oh, well we didn't allow the Muslims to build a Mosque in NY, we can refuse the Hindus to build this temple".
You can see that this is a very slippery slope.
Anyways, It's a good blog post and I am glad you are thinking about it! I hope you are doing well Gabby!
A post from Tony:
ReplyDeleteI tried posting this on the blog but it wouldnt work...So I'll post it here:
Although I appreciate your point of view, I find your blog to be fundamentally flawed in two major ways. I just felt compelled to comment and present a different po...int of view.
First.... New York City is not strictly a "Christian" or "Jewish" area. It is as much a Muslim area as it is any other religion's. Ground Zero is NOT a burial site for only Christians and Jews....last time I checked, many Muslims live in Manhattan and many Muslims died in 9/11. Trying to relate 9/11 to Christians attacking a Muslim holy ground is unbelievably erroneous and further attempts to portray that somehow New York is not a place for Muslims to live. New York and all of America is open for Muslims to live as much as any other religion. With that said, Manhattan and Ground Zero is in no way a burial ground more representative of any religion....its a burial ground for AMERICANS. Very different than if there was an attack in Mecca...which is strictly a Muslim holy land.
Second..... there has been this unbelievably irresponsible association between Al-Qaeda and ALL Islam. The terrorists that attacked on 9/11 do not represent all of the Muslim people. Associating one extremist faction of people with the entire religion is very harmful and will only lead to further racism and possibly attacks against innocent Muslims. Associating 9/11 with all Muslims is the equivalent of associating all Catholics with the Catholic priests who were found to have molested children. Therefore, if no Mosque will be allowed to be placed anywhere near Ground Zero, than there should be no church anywhere near elementary schools. See how ignorant that sounds? Imagine if there were protests of parents wanting all Catholic churches to be removed to some set distance away from all schools. Although it sounds extreme, it is the exact same thing as telling Muslims you aren't allowed to worship your religion here because its too close to ground zero. Where then is an approved site for their mosque? Somewhere in central Jersey out of sight of Manhattan?
Anyways, thats my point of view...
Thanks
One last point....how would building a mosque be a symbol of triumph? Triumph for whom? This tries to show that innocent Muslims worshiping their religion are associated with Al-Qaeda. The only symbol of triumph is if Al-Qaeda builds a soc...ial club to hang out and celebrate. Innocent Muslims praying in their Mosque is not a celebration of Al-Qaeda....these people do not represent, nor support Al-Qaeda... No more than my going to church doesn't represent me supporting and celebrating the crimes of Christian extremists.... I am sure that the innocent Muslims praying in their Mosque don't end their services by giving each other high fives on the way out the door in celebration of 9/11....
Just wanted to add a little more of my perspective....
thanks for reading...
This topic is getting heated up. I can understand the points of view of both William and Tony, whom both have valid view points. I do not disagree that the war is not a religious war. I used Christians and Muslims in my HYPOTHETICAL example, and stating the fact that I am a Christian was to only put my feelings on the line for those who died on this day.
ReplyDeleteI do admit that Tony does have a point. I never thought in the viewpoint that there were also American Muslims who died that day. This is so true, and ignorant of me to not to have thought about that, but I am thinking in the direction of how Americans will feel if this occurs. I do understand that this cannot be prohibited, but many will be offended, there is no debate on that.
From the effects of cultural hostility, and a (close to heart self-defense mode) against certain beliefs per say, veiled my eyes of a different standpoint. As a person who tries to be open minded and understand the viewpoint of many, I thank you whom put this topic at further perspectives for me to reflect on.
One point I do want to make CLEAR is that I have nothing against anyone of any different culture, and at no point did I say that America was predominately Christian and Jewish. I am aware, and have NO PROBLEM with any other beliefs. This country is based around FREEDOM OF RELIGION! And this is NOT about religion, but about those who are hurting from lost ones, who unfortunately associate Muslims with the 9/11 attack. Although this is a group of extremists, our guard has gone up. This is not a beneficial outcome, but on the contrary, something that has to be worked out as a Country before going forth with an act that will make many uncomfortable and create the feeling of insecurity.
Obviously, we are all entitled to have our own feelings and viewpoints. Even tough, many times they might not be the right ones. I have seen that my view is enclosed on personal beliefs and feelings, but in all fairness, my first stance on this topic has proved to be incorrect and insensitive to all Muslims whom are not associated with the radical measures of the terrorists of 9/11.
I apologize if this Blog post posed to be offensive in any way, but my topic was to bring up discussion exactly how it has been. I thank everyone for their feedback, and I hope Ella A. Insight will continue to be a place to speak out with any societal concerns. Thank you for reading.
One point for all to remember is not the true situation which is the focal point...
ReplyDeleteBut take the spotlight and focus it on the individual who wants to build the Mosque. Dig into the alternative views he shares, easy money, possibilities of hidden agenda's.
AMERICA does not want the worry! We worried enough in the events brought on to us... we worried anxiously after...
We do vote as a majority wins. I feel in this instance, the Mosque would not be built.
Bring another comversation to the table with this conversation... what other country is at war with us, that has attacked us?
Thank you for your Insight Ali, but I am confused at what you are trying to get at with this third party perspective. Please explain further if you may. What “other country” are you referring to?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I'd like to clarify the term "Ground Zero Mosque." This is a poorly coined term for the mere fact that (a) The Mosque is not being built at Ground Zero and (b) It is not a mosque, but rather a multistory Islamic Cultural Center which includes an after school program, culinary classes among other workshops, basketball courts and other gym facilities. The top floor of the Islamic Center is designed as a prayer room.
ReplyDeletePoliticians and the media have been referring to the Islamic Center as "Ground Zero Mosque" as a political ploy to scare people and raise anti-Islamic sentiments.
My point is proven in your blog where you call the association of the Islamic religion with the Ground Zero areas feels like a slap in the face and a symbol of triumph. Slap in the face? If Hindu's were building a temple, or if Jewish people were building a synagogue, would you still feel slapped in the face? Then why would innocent Muslim Americans, who also lost their loved ones during the vicious attacks of 9/11, be treated any differently?
You point out that you heard about all of this on ABC towards the end of the summer. I suggest that you expand your news source. Do more research and educate yourself. Separate feelings and emotions and find the fact.
The fact is that innocent Muslim advocates of the Islamic Center have absolutely no correlation to the extremists and their insurgent attacks.
FYI, ask any of your Muslim friends. None of them will say that those 9/11 attackers were Muslims. They were extremists. Islam does not preach violence.
Agreed Isra. Please read the prior comments to this post. No doubt that you do have a point there.
ReplyDeleteFact of the matter is, what makes "us" different than "them" is that we are open to religious freedom.
ReplyDeleteNow lets get some things straight.
It's not a mosque and it's not at Ground Zero. And it shouldn't be political because the First Amendment gives religious freedom to all religions.
Even Jewish groups are for the "Cordoba House"
There have been TWO other mosques in the area for years.
Americans love to hate; and because of 9/11 Muslims are an easy target. It's consistent with let's hate Hispanics, Blacks, Gays, Liberals, Socialists,Poor People etc.
Now, i think its safe to say that most if not all American Muslims do not have a hidden agenda to instill "Sharia" law, and even if they did, lets say EVERY muslims in the USA were extremists. Thats still only 2% of the population. Very Doubtful 2% will overcome the 98% majority.
If a catholic church opened up 5 blocks from a Institution for children who've been molested, is it legally fair to categorize that church as a breeding ground for child molesters with a hidden agenda to strike against innocent children?
3) This country was built on the backs of slaves, and then immigrants from around the world. Many slaves were in fact Muslims, who were forced into conversion to Christianity by their masters. And many immigrants at the turn of the last century were Muslim too. Today, Muslims are doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, scientists, and just about everything else out there. I wonder how many of the people who are protesting this Mosque have been treated by a Muslim health professional at some point in their lives. My guess is the majority of them. Go to any engineering and tech firm, and you will be amazed by how many Muslims you find there. Muslims are among the most highly educated and wealthiest religious groups in America. So does this mean that Muslims are allowed to come here to the US to innovate and build and contribute to the advancement of this country, but they’re not allowed to worship where they want?
ReplyDelete4) NYC is, and always will be the most culturally diverse place in the US and the whole world. NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE THAT. Especially not a bunch of Sarah Palin-loving-brainwashed-by-Fox-News-morons.
5) We don’t live in a Christian country. And we never should. The day that this country is declared a Christian state is the day I pack up my bags and move overseas. You said that building this mosque is basically stirring the pot and going to start protests. Well, I ask, SO WHAT? I wonder what Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks would have said to you if you told them not to stand their ground because of the threat of resistance. In Dr. King’s famous words “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
6) Lastly, how long do I, as an American Muslim, have to keep defending my religion to everyone? 9/11 happened 9 years ago, and it seems to me that Islamophobia has gotten worse and worse throughout the years. I am sick to death of defending my religion when most people know more about what crimes Lindsay Lohan has committed than they do about Islam. Americans are SUPPOSED to be better than that. Americans should be standing up for their fellow American Muslims. What did I have to do with 9/11? Why should I be punished for it? I was just as devastated as everyone else was. But to call Ground Zero hallowed or sacred ground is just silly. I mean cmon, this is a country where liquor stores are built next to churches, and that is precisely what makes America unique. When someone tells me I cant build my mosque (actually I’m sorry, its not even a mosque, it’s a community center!) in a location that is actually several blocks away from Ground Zero, that is a direct projection of the revenge that person wants to take against Muslims. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
Thank you for your Insight Sas1589. PLEASE READ ALL COMMENTS on this post. I do agree with most of what you said, but I do not agree that "Americans love to hate".
ReplyDeleteTo me, you are defending one side and shooting down the other as I first did in the original post. As a suggestion, from what I just learned. Try to be as unbiased as possible to not offend anyone. Please also read my last post Ella A. Insight Purpose.
I value the time you put into commenting on this post. Thank you again.
Thank you for your Strong stance Shazia. I value your friendship, and have talked to you about our religious differences in the past. Once again I am going to apologize if I offended anyone, but this topic is of national debate and I am appreciating more and more the comments that are rolling in here. I hope you have also read my first comment to this post today, and the new Post I put up shortly after, Ella A. Insight Purpose.
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be of extreme importance to keep up with reading comments before jumping into the conversation, as this is a debate and learning process for all who participate.
I hope I can add a little value to the minds of all who read this, and who knows even further. I value your thoughts greatly, and I am sorry for your feelings of always having to defend and explain your religious views.
I was just thinking about myself in your position, with that CRAZY pastor wanting to burn the Koran. I did not know where to put my face, ashamed that such a person was blemishing the reputation of all other Christians. It happens everywhere in every religion.
This is a HUGE learning process to this post! Thank you for educating me and others whom were ignorant of certain points to be considered. I appreciate it, and hope you bring more to the table. I also hope others can read all comments to this post, as it is of national debate and concern.
I can understand your view Sas1589, but I still think it is a strong generalization. Americans are people from all over the world. Therefore, from what you are saying the world loves to hate.
ReplyDeleteI think it is more that people have a hard time understanding and having compassion for anyone who is different than they are. My lesson learned, be as politically correct and unbiased as possible. We all want understanding for the way we feel, on any side that we look at.
The problem is, it is human nature to create generalizations. To monitor ourselves to be unbiased in all aspects is the best way to change the world. We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves.
We all pray for world peace, how then can we get to this without monitoring ourselves? A strong lesson that I learned from writing this blog post. I hope it serves to teach others the same.
Tony wrote:
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply...just read your response post and I can appreciate your honesty and willingness to understand others' point of view... keep up the good work..
Ella A. comment:
Thank you Tony for reading, and thank you for your "Insight".