Murfreesboro Islamic community center

[SivartM]

http://www.tennessean.com/article/201006...mission-meeting

http://www.tennessean.com/article/D4/20100620/NEWS01/100619008/Islamic-center-divides-county-opinion

Quote:

“Everybody knows they are trying to kill us,” Karen Harrell said. “People are really concerned about this. Somebody has to stand up and take this country back.”

...

“We have a duty to investigate anyone under the banner of Islam,” Allen Jackson, the pastor of World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, said during Thursday’s meeting.

...

“Since we are citizens of this country, we care about it; indeed we love it so much,” he said. The purpose of this center is to learn, worship, play and have fun. We are not hiding anything. You can go to our web site and fine out about us. We welcome people to come and participate in any activity we have at our current location.”

It makes me so sad to see all the irrational fear in my own area... to think that there are people not only in New York City but in Tennessee who are so prejudiced against people of other religions.

I wonder why nobody makes a big ruckus when someone builds a church. And this building is not even primarily for religious use!

And a lot of the people protesting this claim to represent Christianity. And that makes me angry.

Fist amendment first amendment first amendment...

[bonnie]

Quote:

It makes me so sad to see all the irrational fear in my own area... to think that there are people not only in New York City but in Tennessee who are so prejudiced against people of other religions.

I wonder why nobody makes a big ruckus when someone builds a church. And this building is not even primarily for religious use!

And a lot of the people protesting this claim to represent Christianity. And that makes me angry.

Fist amendment first amendment first amendment...

There are two sides to this "prejudice issue".

Followers of Islam have a responsibility to the citizens and country they voluntarily came to.Many of them want to make the US as the country they left.

When special rights are always demanded and granted I might add,those that get the short end of that stick are not to happy.

I could not work somewhere and be given paid time to say scheduled prayers.Two businesses have been sued and the muslims won. Americans would have to go quietly off in a corner at break time.

American citizens cannot demand a service dog be removed from their presence because of their feelings towards dogs.It works for the muslims here.

We cannot demand town meetings to be held when they will not conflict with our scheduled prayer time. They do

Taxi drivers can demand their first place in line at the airport and refuse certain passengers because of alcohol or flying with their dog.

They need to try to meet us part way.Not half way but just a little step in the direction of appreciation for what they are allowed in this country,instead of demand after demand.

Maybe if they shouldered their personal responsibility in this the fear and dislike of Muslims would not be as High as it is

[SivartM]

What demands are the people involved in this community center making, other than the demand (more like request) for people to not hate them for their religion?

None. The reason that people are afraid of Muslims is because they think, as Karen Harrell says, that they all want to kill us.

[bonnie]

What demands are the people involved in this community center making, other than the demand (more like request) for people to not hate them for their religion?

None. The reason that people are afraid of Muslims is because they think, as Karen Harrell says, that they all want to kill us.

People are not going to separate.The center that is to go almost on the spot of the towers and wanting more recognition of Islam law isn't helping I am sure.

Actions have consequences.The actions of many muslims probably does color the viewpoint against those that are not guilty.

Around our area for every american citizen feels the way you describe there is a muslim that is making demands

[phkrause]

Sivart, I agree its sad that people can't get along. But I can understand why many are against this Mosque being built right at the area were the Twin Towers fell. There are many places for the Mosque to be built in NY. The other problem I see is, the intentions are probably pure, but as the years go by you know that the terrorists will start taking advantage of this, and than they will have a base of operation nice and neat.

[SivartM]

It's not a mosque, it's a community center. Both the one in NY and the one in TN are. The whole thing about them being mosques is just to scare people into thinking Muslims are going to force them to worship at gunpoint or something.

I'm not sure how terrorists could take advantage of a community center that is not affiliated with any other organizations. They can't just commandeer a building because it's owned by Muslims. Christians can't take over churches just because they are Christian.

[bonnie]

It's not a mosque, it's a community center. Both the one in NY and the one in TN are. The whole thing about them being mosques is just to scare people into thinking Muslims are going to force them to worship at gunpoint or something.

You are simply wrong as to the one in New York.The objection is not that Muslims are going to force them to worship or something.

Muslims planning to build in that spot are rude,inconsiderate,arrogant and just plain cruel

[SivartM]

Why is it cruel for them to want to show others that they are not like the people who tried to destroy the city? That most Muslims are don't want to kill them?

[bonnie]

Why is it cruel for them to want to show others that they are not like the people who tried to destroy the city? That most Muslims are don't want to kill them?

They know that the families of survivors are very upset. If they want to show they are not like "the extremists" now would be the time to bow out gracefully.

If desire is to mend fences "in your face,like it or not" is not an attitude that will not give the family members the "warm fuzzies" about Muslims

[phkrause]

It's not a mosque, it's a community center. Both the one in NY and the one in TN are. The whole thing about them being mosques is just to scare people into thinking Muslims are going to force them to worship at gunpoint or something.

I'm not sure how terrorists could take advantage of a community center that is not affiliated with any other organizations. They can't just commandeer a building because it's owned by Muslims. Christians can't take over churches just because they are Christian.

I miss spoke about it being a Mosque, sorry.

As far as taking over community centers, just check out England. It happen there many times, and also in Germany and France, so it happens.

[SivartM]

I think the people planning the center were far more graceful than many of the people protesting, who carried around signs like, "All I need to know about Islam, I learned on 9/11!" Same with the Tennessee center. The planners very politely answered people's fears. Nobody was "in your face, like it or not" except people who don't care about who Muslims are, they just don't trust them. I think I remember that some family members of survivors, by the way, do support the center in New York.

[bonnie]

I think the people planning the center were far more graceful than many of the people protesting, who carried around signs like, "All I need to know about Islam, I learned on 9/11!" Same with the Tennessee center. The planners very politely answered people's fears. Nobody was "in your face, like it or not" except people who don't care about who Muslims are, they just don't trust them. I think I remember that some family members of survivors, by the way, do support the center in New York.

It is very easy to be graceful as you are getting your way.

The one in New York has not been well received.

Trust is most of the time earned.Insisting on putting up a mosque there is not likely to foster much trust.

[SivartM]

It's not a mosque! It's a community center.

Who is at fault, the people who just wanted to build something for their community or the people who are freaking out about it (and might blow it up after it's built anyway)?

[Kyran]

It's not a mosque! It's a community center.

[Tom Wetmore]

Fear and ignorance are a potent force liable to destroy a civilized society.

Muslims will not destroy our way of life. Our ignorance and fear will.

There are at least three mosques/Islamic centers within 2 miles of my house. A new Muslim family has just moved into the house two doors down from my house, and they are not the first Muslim family. This family are very traditional conservative Muslims. She wears the full burka. Two cute little kids and another obviously soon to arrive (not even a burka can hide some things...) The grandmother doesn't cover her face.

And I am still alive.

[bonnie]

It's not a mosque! It's a community center.

Who is at fault, the people who just wanted to build something for their community or the people who are freaking out about it (and might blow it up after it's built anyway)?

There is no question as to whose fault.AMERICANS. We know those entraning this country are not to blame for anything. 9/11 was the fault of America,everyone must make paid accomadations for the religious beliefs of the immigrant.If they don't work America must provide housing,medical and education. If they can't find work because of the language barrier support them till and if they are ready to correct that.Don't expect the immigrants to assimilate,expect them to recreate what they left at the expense of americans

Don't expect the Muslim to understand or care why many family members of 9/11 victims are a little sensitive to the fact it was Muslims that blew them to pieces.

[Tom Wetmore]

I could not work somewhere and be given paid time to say scheduled prayers...

But you could be given 24 hours off every Saturday for your scheduled worship... We as Adventists vigorously defend our right to do so. What exactly is the difference?

Originally Posted By: bonnie

They need to try to meet us part way...

I think some would call that compromise. In the same spirit of accommodation, meeting halfway, some employers have suggested that Adventists be given several hours off work on Saturday so they can go to church. After all that is all most Christians need. Why do Adventists have to be so demanding and different, unwilling to take this little step in meeting halfway?

[SivartM]

Bonnie, you are talking about some Muslims with whom you are familiar. Maybe you could stop assuming that they're just like all the other Muslims, including the ones we're talking about in this thread (as if all Christians are alike).

Look at it this way: your church wants to build a community center (including an area that can be used for church services and weddings and stuff), and the Muslim community in your area throws a fit and walks around with signs saying, "All I need to know about Christianity, I learned from the KKK". Who is at fault, in your opinion?

[bonnie]

Fear and ignorance are a potent force liable to destroy a civilized society.

Muslims will not destroy our way of life. Our ignorance and fear will.

There are at least three mosques/Islamic centers within 2 miles of my house. A new Muslim family has just moved into the house two doors down from my house, and they are not the first Muslim family. This family are very traditional conservative Muslims. She wears the full burka. Two cute little kids and another obviously soon to arrive (not even a burka can hide some things...) The grandmother doesn't cover her face.

And I am still alive.

Your labeling of those that have some problems with Muslims as ignorant shows ignorance as well. Can't speak to what it is in your area but in our small town it is not ignorance.

Most immigrants that move out of the cities are after the same thing that americans do. It is also true that many Muslims and other groups create what they complain about.It is not fear or ignorance that makes people dislike the problems associated with Muslims and other groups.

For some reason americans don't like the demands of those that refuse to assimilate. We don't like the cost of translators for those that refuse to learn english or take advantage of free english classes.

People get a little annoyed when our employer's must give paid prayer time for a specific religion.

We get a little touchy when a college student threatens to kill a service dog because his religion believes them dirty.

Instead of them changing their class times,the handicapped person that can be independent because of their dog must find a new school.

How they dress is immaterial until the job you are applying for makes that impossible.Don't sue an american employer,find a job where that is a problem.

As immigrants don't band together and search out garage sales,stealing as you go. Some get a little upset going to the local flea market and at times buying back their own items.

As a immigrant if you want friendship and acceptance, give what you expect.

It is a two way street.

[bonnie]

But you could be given 24 hours off every Saturday for your scheduled worship... We as Adventists vigorously defend our right to do so. What exactly is the difference?

[bonnie]

Bonnie, you are talking about some Muslims with whom you are familiar. Maybe you could stop assuming that they're just like all the other Muslims, including the ones we're talking about in this thread (as if all Christians are alike).

[Tom Wetmore]

You mean, like the sensitivity you seem to be showing toward them?

[bonnie]

You mean, like the sensitivity you seem to be showing toward them?

Being considerate and sensitive to Muslims or others of another race or skin color is one thing. To honor demands from one group that would not be granted to another is not considerate and sensitive to the needs or beliefs of all others.

Target employee's that are against guns or availability to them cannot refuse to ring them up at cash register.They would lose their job.

To allow for scheduled paid prayer times makes it very difficult at times for other employee's. There are jobs you simply cannot allow some to walk off and not others.

As to the community center in New York it is without consideration for what happened there and by whom.

You are right,I do not have much sensitivity to their desire to place a Muslim community center on the spot where so many dies at the hands of muslims.

Nor do I appreciate the fact they can demand and are generally granted rights and privileges that american citizens do not have.

[Tom Wetmore]

... Adventists should not be accommodated where sabbath off creates a undue hardship concerning that specific job...

"Undue hardship" and "reasonable accomodation" are rather subjective standards. And therein lies the problem. One man's undue hardship is another man's reasonable accommodation.

And yes, the suggestion for Sabbath off is exactly how it has been in certain cases. The employer said, "We let our other employees off to go to church on Sunday and they come back to work afterward. Why can't you do that on Saturday too?" They thought it a quite reasonable accomodation. And others have thought it unreasonable to even allow voluntary shift swapping to accomodate a Sabbath keeper, because it would be "disruptive" to the established system of scheduling.

[Tom Wetmore]

Have you considered the possibility that many of those Muslims are in fact American citizens?