MARC: I got stuck on your last comment: “I hope I won’t cave someday when it really matters.” Every day matters. Now matters, and little things add up. I don’t know that page and am not going to look it up because it will make me sick. BTW, I do understand your position and reaction.

My thoughts:
>Good commentary, Rev. Geddy.

> My husband and I have been absolutely shocked by the inane outcry, which proves the need for a cultural center. However, sadly, at least 90% of those who demonstrate against it will not utilize any opportunities to learn what they are railing against.

> Media has fueled the controversy by generally tagging it as “Ground Zero Mosque”. Exceptions: Dr. Sanjay Gupta on CNN and Rachel Maddow on MSNBC immediately called it the Community Center.

> FYI, there is a very good, though slightly meandering, special comment by Keith Olbermann at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38730223/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann/.

> The hate and demonstrators ignoring the basic constitutional religious freedom guarantee and the plurality issue reminds me of the old POGO cartoon related to the first U.S. Earth Day: “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” ALL MUST STAND UP FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE – THAT IS AMERICA. We are not one of the theocracies etc. that some compare with. We are different. If we adopt selective acceptance of any one religion over another – as a nation – we are NOT AMERICA. Individuals can believe whatever they want, and are even free to yell and write venom and hate – but not to hurt.

> Why don’t the protestors put as much into POSITIVE SUPPORT for the 9-11 Memorial center?

‘BOTTOM LINE” – BEST EXPRESSED BY THE FOLLOWING:

> FROM A “9-11 MOTHER”. I saved a particularly memorable heart-wrenching post from a blog earlier this year: Adele Welty June 7th, 2010 10:43 am ET

As a 9/11 family member who lost my son Firefighter Timothy Welty at the WTC, I strongly Support building a cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero. Whereas the attacks of 9/11 were an act of hatred and anger, this cultural center will be a symbol of inclusiveness and healing, welcoming all in the community to come to its events, regardless of differences of faith. This country was founded to foster religious freedom. Let us adhere to the vision of our founding fathers not the vitriol that caused the attacks on our nation.

Adele Welty – Flushing, NY – Mother of Firefighter Timothy Welty, FDNY, Squad 288

“Fact – Muslims take advantage of our freedoms to attack us.”

No, murderers take advantage of our freedoms to attack us. There are 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, and there were 19 hijackers on 9/11. Do the math. Collective punishment went out of fashion in Western Civilization a few hundred years ago, my friend.

“Fact – Muslims according to the Koran may lie to Infidels in order to spread Islamist ideology.”

Fact – according to literal readings of the Bible, Christians are supposed to kill unbelievers in many cases, adulterers, unruly children, etc. Anyone who takes a literal reading of a religious book and divorces it from any sense of morality or the overall message of the faith is going to produce some disgusting conclusions.

“Fact – Abdul Rauf has a dubious background and Islamist associations”

No, he doesn’t. Libel is illegal, you know. He has a long history of being a voice for moderation and peaceful coexistence. He has no “Islamist associations.” You’re just drinking the kool-aid. Placing the word fact before each of your ridiculous, false and offensive accusations doesn’t make it so. Find sources to back up your claims.

“Fact – Muslims have a history of Islamic triumphalism”

WTF? That’s one of the most bigoted and intolerant things I’ve ever read. What does “Islamic triumphalism” even mean? Historically, Muslim societies have tried to triumph? No sh!t – so has Christendom, and so has every other society in human history. Your ignorant and hateful ‘clash of civilizations’ thinking has clearly poisoned your ability to be compassionate or even rational toward Muslims.

“There are many ways to wage jihad; not all involve violence, but all have the same goal. ”

Um, no. Jihad in modern, moderate Islam means a personal relationship with God, not a struggle against unbelievers. Yet again, you’ve taken the views of a handful of violent extremists and assumed all Muslims agree. That would be like saying all Christians want to kill abortion doctors, whether they plant the bombs or not. It’s not true, and it’s a gross disservice to the billions of peaceful people you are accusing of wanting to harm innocents.\

“And all of them must be stopped if we are to retain the freedoms, including the freedom of religion, not found in most Muslim countries.— without racism or hatred but with the wisdom (sagacity) of serpents.
We mustn’t be blind fools.”

Okay, now you’re just an idiot. The only way to protect freedom of religion is to take it away from Muslims? If only they built their theocracy around a different holy book, you and the leadership of those repressive Islamist regimes would have a hell of a lot in common.

You should be deeply ashamed for this intolerant rant. If you don’t believe in interfaith community building and understanding, why are you here?

Fact – Muslims take advantage of our freedoms to attack us.
Fact – Muslims according to the Koran may lie to Infidels in order to spread Islamist ideology.
Fact – Abdul Rauf has a dubious background and Islamist associations
Fact – Muslims have a history of Islamic triumphalism

There are many ways to wage jihad; not all involve violence, but all have the same goal. And all of them must be stopped if we are to retain the freedoms, including the freedom of religion, not found in most Muslim countries.— without racism or hatred but with the wisdom (sagacity) of serpents.
We mustn’t be blind fools.

DS

We appreciate this post but we request that you change the name of the foundation to Unity Productions Foundation, not the Universal Peace Federation.

Many thanks,
Daniel