Westboro Church and its followers are known for their twisted concept of religion.But we can't compare that with the Muslim community center.Westboro is an extremist organisation of the Christian community.If one of Al-Quada's affiliated organisations were to built that community center,I won't think twice,I'll not only oppose but make sure these bastards pay for what they stand for.But this is not the group that's building the community center.We can't ban all churches just because of what westboro stands for.Same time,we can't ban all mosques just because of what Al-Quada stands for.Let's differentiate extremists from mainstream.

by Randaa on 09/06/2010 02:24:30 AM EST

[ Parent ]

... The U.S. Constitution!

I see your point.  If “zoning” out people or groups that you don't like or feel threatened by, is the strategy that legally works, then use it as you see fit.  It happens to a lot of places like strip joints and loud taverns in neighborhoods.  I don’t think we should use the same tactics against churches and religious beliefs.  I was suggesting a bit of tolerance over extremism and bigotry. 

How extreme can that go?   The past is filled with examples of how extreme this idea can reach. 
~ Hitler “didn’t like” about 6 million people who believed different than he did.
~ Sadam Heussein didn’t like certain groups, like ‘the Kurds’.
~ Americans didn’t like the Japanese Americans during WWII and overreacted by forcing them into internment camps,
~ And starting in the 1800’s, all the way through the 1960 and the present, many White Americans didn’t (don’t) care too much for African-Americans and look at the "shit sandwich" that they get to take a big bite out of.  There are many more examples, but, I’m sure you get the point.
 
I am aware that there are many people in America that do not share views or ideologies.  I personally have a large list of people and groups that I fear, hate and believe are dangerous, and would like to 'shut up', (groups like 'the nazis', 'devil worshipers', 'ignorant right-wing extremists who follow Glen Beck', the 'tea-party', etc.)   The differences of beliefs and ideals is to be expected in a country with greater than 300 million citizens, and possibly, the same number of differing opinions.  But, I as an American, am forced by the Constitution of the United States, to tolerate many individuals or groups that I do not like.  I, myself, do not have access to the time and resources necessary to legally stop them.  So, yeah, I get another bite of the SHIT sandwich, only I usually don’t get very much bread!
 
There are laws that protect us from crimes anyone might commit due to their beliefs.  There should be no laws that censor our voices or beliefs as long as we don’t break other laws or infringe on people’s rights.  If people fear someone who they feel is going to commit a crime against them then they should take appropriate measures with the law enforcement agencies that we have set up for that purpose.  We can’t stop people from believing in their faith and we certainly shouldn’t ban them for “what they might do”.
 
Consider the possible long-term effects this practice of filtering out "who you don't like".   Another name for it is censorship.  Censorship is something that the American people do not like.  I am positive that most of the Islam-protesting people would instantly point to their 'RIGHT to ...' as stated in the U.S. Constitution if ANYBODY dares to silence their ideas, beliefs and values with censorship.
 

by discberry on 09/07/2010 12:03:32 PM EST

[ Parent ]

We all can see the choice that YOU would make,  That is, to stand AGAINST the U.S. Constitution, and proclaim yourself to be a traitor to the U.S.A.

You should, now, stop posting your bigotted, ignorant, hateful, Glen-Beckian brain-washed opinions, because you have openly chosen to dismiss the protections granted to every American citizen by the U. S. Constitution, (even the muslim ones),  and have publicly proclaimed that you do not believe in the freedoms of speach and religion and assembly that our U.S Constitution grants all of it's citizens!

You know,... you can't have it both ways.

by discberry on 09/07/2010 12:58:43 PM EST

[ Parent ]