You're the Imam

#1
volinbham

volinbham

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#1
Okay, now that our president has enlightened us and explained that the Muslim group has the right to build the mosque near Ground Zero (wow - thanks for clearly that one up); what would you do if you were the Imam.

To recap:

1) no one disputes the legal right to build there.

2) 9/11 families and many others feel it is a provocative move by the muslim group.

3) your stated goal is to bring tolerance and ease tensions between Muslim americans and others

So, do you forge ahead believing that is the best way to achieve #3 or do you capitulate believing that is the best way to achieve #3?

To me, it's a no brainer. Much more good will is likely to arise from the latter while the former will (rightly or wrongly) raise tensions.

What say you? (we know Obama won't weigh in but here's your chance).
 
#3
#3
I agree if the purpose of this is to "ease tensions" then building it there would accomplish the exact opposite.
 
#4
#4
It's political theater designed to bring out the lib. vote in Nov. It might work if enough conservatives are angered and come out strongly against the mosque; thereby stirring the opposition in favor of religious freedom.
 
#5
#5
And that lies the issue. If it is about 'understanding' and promoting good will and changing the perceptions of Islam, why make such a controversial move? Yes, they have a right. But in promoting peace and tolerance you are stirring up emotions and creating a great controversy. Seems more detrimental to your cause to make such a move. Clearly if you can afford this real estate, you can move a few blocks north. Why purposefully create controversy unless this was your true aim the entire time?
 
#6
#6
i think it's pretty obvious they wouldn't have even thought about bulding a mosque there if their goal was tolerance and enlightenment.
 
#7
#7
jvol1 said:
It's political theater designed to bring out the lib. vote in Nov. It might work if enough conservatives are angered and come out strongly against the mosque; thereby stirring the opposition in favor of religious freedom.
Click to expand...

But it doesn't seem to be falling along the lines of Conservative vs. Liberal here! See Harry Ried.
 
#8
#8
droski said:
i think it's pretty obvious they wouldn't have even thought about bulding a mosque there if their goal was tolerance and enlightenment.
Click to expand...

I must agree. Of all the places they could build this "community center" they choose a site that has a morbid history due to Islamic extremists/terrorists? I think that this is a way for them to seem like the victim and to raise tensions against Islam here in America. I believe they should have the right to worship who they want but not at ground zero. I think they enjoy the controversy.

If I am the Imam I build elsewhere. But then again...I wouldn't have chosen a site that close to Ground Zero to begin with.
 
#9
#9
don't think a mosque rising from islamic terrorism is a symbol lost among the big money funding this either
 
#10
#10
Oldvol75 said:
But it doesn't seem to be falling along the lines of Conservative vs. Liberal here! See Harry Ried.
Click to expand...
Not at first, but I think you'll see the debate shift from being an issue of taste to freedom of religion as the election nears. There's definitely a vocal group on the right that believe that freedom of religion only applies to sects of Christianity, and I think Obama is counting on them leaving his constituency with no choice but to come out for him as he's called down for supporting Muslims by a bigoted right.
 
#11
#11
No one is gullible enough to accept what Rauf says at face value is there??
 
#12
#12
droski said:
i think it's pretty obvious they wouldn't have even thought about bulding a mosque there if their goal was tolerance and enlightenment.
Click to expand...

We would all hope so. If this isn't the case than the intelligence needed to become an Imam is somewhere just below that of a ditch digger.
 
#13
#13
The only problem I have with it is they had to pick Ground Zero to build it, they had the whole freaking nation to pick another location but they decided on a site that involved the worst attack on American soil. My personal opinion is the Imam is just doing this to stir up controversy and nothing more. Over 3,000 Americans lost there lives in the name of Islam at this very site, have some respect for the families who lost loved ones on that day.
 
#14
#14
gsvol said:
No one is gullible enough to accept what Rauf says at face value is there??
Click to expand...

Irrelevant to the hypothetical here. Even assuming the best intentions the decision is questionable at best. If you want to promote tolerance and understanding; the table is set perfectly. The good will from building elsewhere would be enormous.

Regardless of the true intent; given the current state of affairs the answer seems fairly obvious.

Can anyone make a compelling argument for how going forward is the better way to promote inter-faith tolerance and understanding?
 
#15
#15
Burhead said:
The only problem I have with it is they had to pick Ground Zero to build it, they had the whole freaking nation to pick another location but they decided on a site that involved the worst attack on American soil. My personal opinion is the Imam is just doing this to stir up controversy and nothing more. Over 3,000 Americans lost there lives in the name of Islam at this very site, have some respect for the families who lost loved ones on that day.
Click to expand...

so people in a town like Murfreesboro would be more welcoming? Face it, building a mosque almost anywhere in the US is bound to be met with resistance
 
#16
#16
utvolpj said:
so people in a town like Murfreesboro would be more welcoming? Face it, building a mosque almost anywhere in the US is bound to be met with resistance
Click to expand...

As it should. I don't want a mosque in my city. Any religion is welcome but not any politically motivated group.
 
#17
#17
utvolpj said:
so people in a town like Murfreesboro would be more welcoming? Face it, building a mosque almost anywhere in the US is bound to be met with resistance
Click to expand...

not really. of course building a mosque in wildwood new jersey doesn't send exactly the same message to the fundamentalist muslims does it?
 
#18
#18
droski said:
not really. of course building a mosque in wildwood new jersey doesn't send exactly the same message to the fundamentalist muslims does it?
Click to expand...

of course not but there are protests all over the country (Calif, Wisc, TN) about building them. The NYC one is just getting all the airtime
 
#20
#20
Agreed there are sensitivities at play here, on both a personal and national level. Those demonstrations over local mosques being built get little if any air time outside of their communities.
 
#22
#22
volinbham said:
Irrelevant to the hypothetical here. Even assuming the best intentions the decision is questionable at best. If you want to promote tolerance and understanding; the table is set perfectly. The good will from building elsewhere would be enormous.

Regardless of the true intent; given the current state of affairs the answer seems fairly obvious.

Can anyone make a compelling argument for how going forward is the better way to promote inter-faith tolerance and understanding?
Click to expand...

Excellent point.

Key word in that statement is IF.
Which would make one think that tolerance from their view is a one way street.
 
#23
#23
utvolpj said:
of course not but there are protests all over the country (Calif, Wisc, TN) about building them. The NYC one is just getting all the airtime
Click to expand...

errr. not sure i agree. there might be minor protests, but this one is very very different.
 
#24
#24
utvolpj said:
the location is but the protests are similar. What I was getting at is just suggesting another site doesn't satisfy everyone
Click to expand...

As in there are protest in Cali,Wis,TN,NYC...yes I would agree.

There is protesting across the country over the NY site.

Not sure those in NY care about (or even know about) a TN site, or Wisconsin site.....so on and so forth.
 
#25
#25
utvolpj said:
the location is but the protests are similar. What I was getting at is just suggesting another site doesn't satisfy everyone
Click to expand...

Agree. There are people in the NYC situation with legit beefs - they are personally tied to 9/11. There are others who have joined in for various other reasons.

Personally, I don't care if they build it there or not but as stated earlier - if you want healing, the smart move is to not build it there.
 
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