April 2010 Weddings
dasmel30
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
What's your opinion?
I know this may be a touchy subject but it is a pretty big topic lately. So here it goes...
What is your opinion on the "Ground Zero mosque" that is hoping to be built in NYC?
~Melissa~
Shmel's Blog
Shmel's Blog
Re: What's your opinion?
Ooooh controversial topic on a friendly board...let's see how this goes!
I actually don't know all the facts about this, but I did hear on CNN this morning that there is another mosque like right around the corner that has been there for 40 years with no drama. I think sometimes people like to make a big deal out of something (OMG IT'S A MUSLIM WORSHIP CENTER, HOW DARE THEY?!?!) when really it's nothing different than what would otherwise be non-controversial.
If I had more time I'd get some more facts and discuss the legal issues involved - maybe this afternoon
Legally--I see no problem at all. If they got all the right permits and whatnot, I don't really see a problem. Afterall, it's a piece of land that is not being used, so anyone could purchase it and build on it.
Personally--I'm not sure. I feel everyone has the right to worship whereever they desire. I don't really see it as a big deal building a place of worship on "sacred ground". I mean, these people are not the ones who committed acts of terrorism on that horrific day. They are more guilty by association than anything. On the other hand, I'm not sure I feel comfortable with any place of worship being built on that ground. Why not make it into a memorial or a park or something like that?
I honestly don't think it is a big deal. Let's be honest here, would people be up in arms about it if it was a Catholic Church going up at Ground Zero? I don't think so.
Plus I've heard that it's not ACTUALLY on the Ground Zero site, but a few blocks away. People like FOX News just want to get all up in arms about something that is NOT a big deal.
Tales From a Kitchen Misfit
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I live in the NYC Metro Area, and work right in NYC and know a couple people that were lost that day.
That being said, I am ok with building it.
It's not like its right on the foot prints for starters its near by.
In addition there are sadly plenty of other people who kill people who are Catholic/Christian we don't tell the Catholics/Christians to move their churches away from the sights of a killing. Why should we tell them that. Its like us saying all of the people who celebrate that religion are bad people and we clearly know that is not the case. They killed Americans who were ALL religions including their own.
Every religion and every nationality has a few bad apples in the bunch that's unfortunate but it's just the way it works I don't feel its ok to condemn one nationality or religion because of those bad apples.
Just to add, I personally think that NOTHING should be built on the exact site of Ground Zero (the Twin Towers) other than a memorial and park. But I don't think that will happen because it is such prime real estate that someone will want to build on it. But I think it would be nice to have something from each major religion on the site if people are so crazy about the mosque. Show that the religions can come together and live in harmony like they SHOULD instead of trying to kill each other or prove that one religion is superior over the other.
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Let me preface this by saying that I have a few friends who worked in the WTC during the attacks. I didn't know them then (I actually moved to the area on 9/10/2001), but the thought that these people could potentially not be in my life now is unimaginable. DH lost a couple friends in the attacks. Pretty much everyone I know up here was touched in some way.
That being said, the attacks were against our American way of life, which is founded on the idea that we can live the way we want. This includes freedom to practice whatever religion you want, where you want. I think the protests against the mosque are contradictory to that American ideal. Of course I can understand the family members of the victims being upset about this and my heart goes out to them. But I also think that everyone needs to be accepting of the diverse cultures that are present in this country since that is the American way - the very thing the attackers hate about us.
And the mosque isn't right on the site where the buildings were, it's adjacent to it - I think like 2 blocks away. I do believe the actual site should be treated as sacred ground, and I think that's what's planned.
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I agree with everything that has been said so far.
I think when news of it first broke, everybody was kinda going crazy over it. But lately I've been seeing people who are actually stating facts(such as 2 blocks over vs "on" ground zero) and I think people are becoming more accepting of it.
But who knows, I live in Texas, a conservative state and so I have actually heard quite a bit of opposition.
At first I was skeptical about a mosque being put so close to Ground Zero. But President Obama's statement from over the weekend really struck me:
"I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there (near Ground Zero)," Obama said. "I was commenting very specifically on the right people have that dates back to our founding. That's what our country is about. And I think it's very important as difficult as some of these issues are that we stay focused on who we are as a people and what our values are all about."
I agree with Amanda that NOTHING should be built on Ground Zero except a park and memorial.
Shmel's Blog
First of all, I'd like to say that even though I don't "know" you ladies personally, but knowing you only via "the nest", I still have to say that I am very proud to be associated with you ladies!
What are the chances that a bunch of chics from varying places across the country, meet on a chat board, and still have fairly similar ideas about things? I think the key word is "fair". That having been said...
I agree with PP on both counts: I believe that everyone should have the right to worship and build their houses of worship where they wish, as long as all legalities are maintained. Our country was founded with blood, sweat and tears on this very premise. Whether it's two block or two miles, I believe that should hold true.
I also agree that the site should be made into some sort of permanent Memorial, much like Pearl Harbor. Granted, as was mentioned, in NY and in a prime location, that may be hard to do...but I think our countrymen and women who lost their lives on 911 would be deserving of the inconvenience that it might cause.
Great post, Mel! We waded into the waters of controversy, and still managed to have a respectful and civilized discussion! If only the rest of the world could be as enlightened :-)
Couldn't have said it better myself!
I agree that nothing should be built on the exact site, it should be a memorial or park or something
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So I am a bit late on this one...
I have no issue with the mosque being built close to ground zero, like the rest of you. However I have to disagree that the protests are "contradictory to the American ideal." Today a friend on Facebook just happened to post an article on this subject. Here is a quote from the article -
"In 2008, thousands of gay rights activists protested the Mormon temple in Westwood, Calif., for its role in passing Proposition 8 -- the ban on same-sex marriage. This grew into a national protest to undermine the influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- even though not every Mormon was involved.
I don't recall anti-Mormon protesters being referred to as bigots for targeting religion; it appeared to be just the opposite, in fact. And if I am offended by aspects of Mormon theology, why not voice those concerns?"
Here is the article if you are interested
http://townhall.com/columnists/DavidHarsanyi/2010/08/18/why_is_it_bigoted_to_criticize_religion/page/1
I think that it is extremely American to be able to protest something that you dont agree with, weather it be religion or something else (as long as the protests stay peaceful).