8/31/10 class discussion

Today in government class we had a class discussion regarding the mosque project in New York, New York that happens to be very close to ground zero. Very interesting points were made by very many different people. A point that caught my attention was when a girl brought up freedom of religion and how its the first amendment. She also stated that Muslims are already praying there. The first amendment states "congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." it does not say we must allow follows of a religion to build a place for worship or prayer. If they wish to build the mosque there then they should wait for a memorial or for the tower to be rebuilt. If they do not have the patience to wait then they should fund the rebuilding of the twin tower. Honestly, i say they already worship there and that is what the first amendment grants them. A mosque will only be built for the symbolism. I learned that many people are in favor of the mosque. I also learned that people dont care about it. Luis mentioned that around 36 mexicans were killed by immigration. He was very upset about how people cared more about a building in New York more then people being killed just next door. I just wished he would have said that earlier because i would have loved to dicuss that topic. Is a building really more important than human lives?

Senator Durbin and former President Bush are in favor of the mosque

No. 2 Democrat in Senate Invokes Bush on Mosque Debate-http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/23/democrat-senate-invokes-bush-mosque-debate/
FOX News-

Illinois Senator Durbin states he is in favor of the mosque being built so close to ground zero. He admits he didn't always see eye to eye with Bush but he says he did a good job after 9/11. Durbin thinks he did a good job pointing out who the war was with. Durbin makes the statement "those against the proposed mosque are trying to divide America with fear and hate." Does this mean everyone who is against the mosque is some kind of terrorist? Are American citizen's trying to divide America? No they are not. i believe this statement is absurd. The question i would like to ask Senator Durbin is, would you be in favor of a mosque being built two blocks away from your personal home?

My side on the mosque war

Before I state my personal opinion on the mosque debate I want to point out that both sides have good arguments. The Pro-mosque party states reasons as it’s their 1st amendment right to freedom of religion. However, we are NOT denying them their religion, we just do not want a new mosque so near ground zero in respect of the 9/11 victims. Muslims have a mosque only four blocks away from ground zero so why did they need a new one? New York isn’t the only state having a mosque infestation; Murfreesboro, Tennessee is against a building of a mosque as well. Laurie cardoza-moore, mosque opposition leader, states Islam teaches Muslims that Jews and Christians are infidels and should be killed. She also states that she is trying to stop the advancement of radicalism Islam in the United States. Many people back in New York are showing their passion with signs. After reading many articles and seeing many pictures/videos/signs, I decided I am personally against the building of the mosque. I believe it is wrong to build a mosque so close to where the twin towers were destroyed by Muslim hijackers. So many people died that day and we should be just as offended as the property owner. I am truly against it although it is not in my control. I say the United States should compromise with them somehow and we can get passed this so we can have a win-win situation


http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-august-25-2010/tennessee-no-evil

http://www.cnn.com/2010/IREPORT/08/23/mosque.protest.irpt/index.html?hpt=C2

Mosque vs. Ground Zero

http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,591015933001_2012328,00.html
Time.com-
This is a video with Muslim’s perceptive on the building of the mosque two blocks away from ground zero. About three minutes into the video a Muslim lady really caught my attention when she said she is not responsible for what the terrorist did on 9/11. I started to think about it about and I agree. Why should all Muslims be punished for the act of a few extremists who just happened to be Muslim? What if they were Jewish? Or Buddhist? Would we do the same to them? I have not chosen a side on this controversy yet but I plan too soon. I am currently trying to learn as much as I could and I am trying to b opened minded.