The Hallowed Ground Argument versus Reality.... you choose

[steve2470]

If the old World Trade Center site and its surrounding area (however far that is) were truly regarded as a national, secular hallowed ground (akin to Gettysburg), why didn't GWB and Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson, etc. try to buy up all that land and make it a national historic site ?

Yes, it would have been hugely expensive to do so (and perhaps impossible for some parcels), but.... you get my point. Instead, 99% of that land is dedicated to the gods of commerce.

The Cordoba House belongs anywhere ! Islam did not cause 9/11. Therefore, all opposition to it is based on false premises and blatant religious discrimination.

(reposted as OP from here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8950526&mesg_id=8952901 )

[Deep13]

1. "Islam did not cause 9/11."

Would the hijackers have done what they did if they weren't convinced that they were being martyred for Islam? While Muslims generally are not responsible for 9/11, Islam as a belief system most certainly is.

Seriously, would we all be this outspoken in support of a Fundamentalist church or a Mormon temple? Yeah, the 1st Amendment allows them to build the place. Granted. So why do we have to come to their rescue? This isn't some Muslims who are being picked on. This is a construction by an Islamic institution. Are they going to recognize gender equality or gay rights or any kind of ecumenicism or any other matters that we care about?

[steve2470]

2. I don't agree with you. We agree to disagree nt

[chowder66]

4. No Dear, Islam did not cause 9/11....

Some angry nutbags who were mad at US policies and who had an insane interpretation of islam did.

[Deep13]

5. Well, what's a sane reading of an ancient religious text?

A lot of people in the Muslim world support their reading of Islam at least in principle. Anyway, you concede that the insane reading is of Islam. Ergo, without it there would have been no suicide attacks. They were not "nutbags" either. The actions of the hijackers was sane and ration if one starts from the premise that god will reward those who die for Islam--which they believed they were doing.

Now, I admit that the USA and its corporations have a lot to answer for all over the world. Still, only militant Muslims are committing indiscriminate acts of violence against civilians. Not all religions believe the same thing and what they believe is often not very nice. (One need look no further than the New Testament to see that.) I'm frankly not going to allow political correctness to prevent me from seeing or saying what I think is obvious.

Anyway, as I said, this is just a personal view of it. The promoters obviously have a 1st Amendment right against discrimination.

[mmonk]

6. I would defend the 1st amendment anywhere and yes, for any of the Christians

as well. Your comments about Islam are offensive in that you make them monolithic. Are the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan the same as the Unitarian Universalists? They both call themselves Christians. How about the IRA and Quakers?

[Deep13]

7. Islam is an "it" not a "them." nt

[arbusto_baboso]

3. "99% of that land is dedicated to the gods of commerce."

And THAt is why Rethugs consider it hallowed ground. Making a profit is ALL that is holy to them.

[piratefish08]

8. No Christian churches within 2 blocks of any abortion clinic in the US.

I believe the entire Christian community in the US should be held accountable for the actions of their extremists.

My brush paints pretty fucking broad, as well.