Please copy and paste the link below.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/07/pastor-says-church-deterred-petraeus-warning-koran-burning/
Terry Jones, pastor of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., has set off a storm of controversy because he planned to burn copies of the Koran on the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the The World Trade Center.
Many believe that this act would put our troops in harms way.
Is this act simply freedom of speech? Should the government step in to stop this action? Why/Why not? Is this act an act of racism against ALL Muslims?
Should we hold ALL Muslims responsible for the acts of a group of terrorists?
Explain your opinion on this issue with specific points.
Please copy and paste the link below.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2010/08/nyc-mosque-protests.html
A controversy is ensuing over the proposal of a mosque being built near ground zero in NYC. Many people believe it should not be built so close to the World Trade Center Memorial Site out of respect for the victims of 9/11. Others believe that this notion is a racist one since over sixty victims were in fact Muslim. Are people being too sensitive about this issue? Should we hold ALL Muslims accountable for the horrific acts of a group of terrorists? Explain your opinion with specific points.
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17 comments:
In reaction to Terry Jones i disagree with what he wants to do. Yes what they did to us 9 years ago was terrible and one of the worst things we suffered in history but i dont think that means sinking to their level. Of course burning pages of the Koran is no where near what they did to us but i still dont think he should do it. What happened to us happened 9 years ago and i think we should just try to move on.In the reaction of the mosque being built near the World Trade Center I don’t think it’s a good idea to build it there. I don’t think it has anything to do about being racist I just think it should be farther away in respect to all the 9/11 victims. Yes many of them were Muslim but the World Trade Center was an American building and it was our country that had to pay the dues. I’m not saying the mosque shouldn’t be built I just don’t think they found the right spot for it yet. I don’t think they should blame all Muslims in general for the tragedy that happened I think it was strictly the terrorists.
-Christine Whalen
I definately disagree with Terry Jones's thoughts of burning the Koran in honor of 9/11. Although the fundamentalists of the muslim religion acted through extreme violence, that does not mean we should do the same. the people of the Islamic religion were not the ones who drive those two planes into the twin towers. it was the fundamentalists who did it. i can understand, to a certain extent, what Jones's feelings were. We lost so many innocent people in that tragic event, that everyone must have gotten a little affected by it to say the least. However, it seems Jones would like to hurt the Muslims, and relate this to 9/11. This is wrong. Muslims would not appreciate this. The best way to deal with this, especially as a pastor, is forgiveness.
As for the mosque being built near ground zero, I think it's a terrible idea. I understand that muslims want that spot, but for what reason? There are plenty of other spots in New York City for them to choose from. I'm very sure they are aware of the feelings of all American citizens when it comes to 9/11. So why build it there? I know they weren't the people who drove the planes into the towers, but they are being very insensitive toward the country by wanting to build their place of worship near the mass grave. September 11th is a day I have been affected by, and I'd only wish they wouldn't be so disrespectful as to wish to build their mosque there.
-Danielle Johnson
I strongly disagree with Terry Jones and his views on burning the Koran. People need to understand that a group of Muslims attacked us on 9/11, not all Muslims. We cannot judge all Muslims based on the actions of a few. Terry Jones claims to be a Christian man, but a Christian who truly had a passion for his religion would never consider burning the Koran. Many associate loving your neighbor as yourself as a main idea of Christianity. Terry Jones is going against Christianity by expressing his desire to burn the Koran. As a Christian leader, Terry Jones should be encouraging people to look beyond the race or religion of a person and to look into who a person is. In my opinion, burning the Koran would be one of the cruelest ways to express hate.
I have very mixed views as it pertains to the building of the mosque near ground zero. I completely understand the feelings of the family of the 9/11 victims. The events that occurred on 9/11 greatly impacted all Americans. Then again, we need to remember that Muslims are NOT terrorists. They are simply a religious group looking for a place of worship. If Terry Jones had burned the Koran, would every Christian man and woman be hated by the Muslims for the act of one single man? Wouldn’t it anger you to walk through your life as a victim of hate and prejudice? If we want to live in a country that is safe, we need to understand that America is a country full of diversity. Racism and prejudice have been problems throughout American history. What will it take for American’s to realize that it needs to stop?
I strongly disagree with his plan to do something like this, especially on the anniversary of the attacks. i think that is blatant disrespect to families of victims. it would have taken focus off of mourning for their loss and instead given his acts of hate the spotlight. I do think this is somewhat freedom of speech and he is indeed allowed to do whatever he wants, but if he really feels SO strongly to need to do something like that, he should have done it in private, rather than let it get blown up throughout the media. I don't think it's the government who needs to stop this, i think everyone should stop this! to perform another act of hate would just be so unproductive. i also agree with the 'original post' that something like this could put our troops in harms way! This is an act that shows hatred toward all muslims. If it was the other way around and a muslim was going to burn bibles, the ENTIRE christian population would be in an outrage! All muslims should not be held responsible for the actions of a relatively small extremist group. the extremist group should be the ones held responsible! unfortunately, i don't foresee them changing their ways anytime soon...
Oops, didn't see the second part of the question..as for building the mosque near ground zero: i just don't understand it to be quite honest. What is the reason to build another? And i'd have the same question no matter what religion it was that was doing it, whether it was a church, a synagogue, or a mosque! there is more than enough of all three of those to go around in the city, there's literally no purpose of building another, especially in such close proximity to a place that should be dedicated solely to remembering those lost. I just don't get it, and it has nothing to do with it being a mosque. i just feel like all these issues are kind of never-ending and no one is ever going to agree on any of it. i'm over it, to be quite honest.
I completely disagree with what Jones wanted to do. I can understand that he is upset but this is just putting a target on our back and putting our troops in danger. He has to think about how the extremeists are going to react to this and what they might do. I think the government should step in and stop this to protect the rest of the country. In response to the mosque being built near the World Trade Center i dont think it is a good idea. Im not saying that all muslims were responsible for the horrible things that happened on 9/11 but out of respect for the victims and families involved they shouldnt build it there.
--Brittany Grennan
Although Terry Jones feels burning the holy books is a way of expressing his opinions, overall I think it is the wrong thing to do. Not only is it morally wrong and disrespectful in general, I think it would be sending the wrong message to people. If individuals burn and destroy things of others that make them upset or go against the values, the world would be in danger. There would no longer be any boundaries as to what is right and wrong.
As far as the building of the Mosque near ground zero i can completely understand why it would stir up so many emotions. Families of those who lost their loved ones in 9/11 now have an emotional tie to that spot, and building a mosque there would upset most of them. I can see them feeling betrayed, hurt on a personal level, and angry at those who would be attending the mosque. However i also think that if we deny the building of the mosque there, then it is sending the message that America as a whole is not culturally tolerant. i think we need to figure out a way, if there is one, to come up with a solution that can satisfy both parties
I believe Terry Jones' plan to burn the Koran is completely unjustified. He is making the generalization that all Muslims are responsible for the events that occurred on 9/11 and this belief is entirely wrong. Many Muslims are as proud of America as natural Americans are, and these Muslims also find the events on 9/11 to be terrible. I think Jones' freedom of speech should be limited because his actions inhibit the natural rights of all Muslims. I think the government should definitely step in to stop Jones' beliefs from spreading throughout the country. It is important to protect the rights of Muslims because a failure to do so would cause more severe internal problems. The prejudice actions of Jones may also put our troops in danger because Jones' beliefs may anger terrorists. Pastor Jones should be stopped, as his choice to burn the Koran is a clear and deliberate expression of hatred and racism.
On the other hand, I am not a supporter of the plan to build a mosque near ground zero. Although I believe racial barriers do need to be broken, I don't think America is ready to have a mosque stand at ground zero. Despite the fact that I think Muslims should not be held accountable for the 9/11 actions, I believe the former site of The World Trade Center is not an appropriate spot for a mosque. Out of respect for those who have lost family members and friends, New York City officials should refrain from building a mosque at ground zero. I think that Muslims should have many places of worship throughout the country, but in order to show sympathy for those who lost their lives on 9/11 ground zero should not be one of those places.
I strongly believe in freedom of speech and expression so i do not feel like the government as the power to step in and stop this action. Terry Jones is expressing himself in a way that most may not like but who are we to stop him. I do not agree with his actions because not all Muslims were involved in September 11th and Jones shouldn't blame a whole religion for it. This act makes Terry Jones look dumb and like a racist. The acts that were commited on September 11th 2001 were not commited by all Muslims so we shouldn't blame all Muslims and burn the Korans but again it is a freedom of expression. If i was the media i would not give Terry Jones any attentioj because that is what he is looking for.
As for the Mosque i can see why people would be upset over the issue. I believe the families who lost loved ones on Semptermber 11th should be respected but yet again it wasn't all the Muslims that planned that horrible day and many Muslims even died in the towers. I believe the mosque should stay where it is because they legally went through all the right procesdures and it would be a racial crime to ask them to move.
-katie mcwilliams
In reaction to Terry Jones, i desiagree with wanting to burn the koran. Though they commited unforgivable acts of terror un us 9 yrs ago, i feel that it is disrespectful to to them. It is understandable to still be extremely mad about the Trade Center attack but to dwell on the past could only cause more problems in the future. i feel that we should just move on. Even though we may not look at burning the koran as a big deal it could offend a lot of good people who had nothing to do with what happened to our country.
In response to the mosque protests, i agree with the people who appose. i feel that though it was not the whole muslim population, it would still be showing a little respect to the victims of 9/11 to build it a little bit further away. i also feel that if they allow the muslims to build the mosque there, it is going to cause a lot of problems in the future. i think overall it would be safer and easier for everyone if they built it a little further away
I believe the mosque near ground zero is a terrible idea. What many people do not know is that it is a tradition of the muslim faith to build these holy buildings in places that their people have conquered. That alone gives a completely terrible outlook on the reason why it MUST be in that one specific spot. I understand that it is of their religious freedom to build this mosque, but of all the places they could've built it throughout Manhattan, this one particular spot completely turns me off to the idea. Also, according to the article, it's stated that 60 muslims died in the attacks on 9/11. However, this leaves 2940 others, whose families are still mourning their death to this day. It's simply a moral decision that must be made. The people who are making the final decisions absolutely have the right to put all these moral decisions aside, and make the politically correct choice, based on the constitution and laws that we as Americans abide by. However I would love to ask the people rooting for the mosque to think of the exact reason why it MUST be built so close the site of the World Trade Center towers, and why it would be such a terrible idea to have respect for those families still in disbelief that their loved ones are lost forever. My biggest point is that whoever had the idea to build this mosque, was also originally thinking that they have concurred us and this is their way of showing it, which is completely unacceptable.
I disagree with Terry Jones. The Koran is sacred to all Muslims, but not every single Muslim was behind 9/11. Every Muslim would get offended of the burning of the Koran and that won't help any problem. It will cause hard times for everyone especially our soldiers. Burning the Koran is a terrible idea.
I believe that the Mosque shouldn't be built at the WTC site. Something to remember the firefighters and the workers should be put there. If a Mosque were put there it would sort of be like a mockery of what happened. It would be disrespectful and it would cause a lot of unneeded controversy.
-Kenny Anello
The Qur'an is a religious book and should be treated just as a Bible or a Torah should be. Although Terry Jones has every right in the United States to do whatever he wants to make a statement, he should have enough sense to realize that burning a holy book will enrage more people rather than making a powerful statement. I do believe that the government should step in and stop this act, not because he doesn't have the right to do the act, but to protect the United States from another potential attack. The truth is, that there are radical Muslims in the world. However, they are not the majority of Muslims at all. Someone must be very ignorant in order to believe that there are over 1.5 billion terrorists in the world, and the number is still growing.
In regards to the mosque being built near ground zero in NYC, I have mixed feelings. I support it because the mosque comes in peace, and isn't only a mosque. It is an Islamic Center that will have a section open for Muslims to be able to pray. In addition, all other religions are going to be openly welcome to the community center and be able to practice their own religion as well. There will also be many conference rooms, and other amenities. The building itself was originally called the "Cordoba House" and the name itself was made to illustrate a peaceful environment between Judaism, Islam, and Christianity during 8th–11th century Cordoba, Spain. I also believe that legally Muslims have a right to practice their religion anywhere they want, whenever they want.
However i do not completely agree with it due to a hadith, a saying or demonstration from prophet Muhammad, which involved a man from another city coming up to the Prophet asking if he should build a mosque in a city that did not want it. The Prophet negatively replied and said that no mosque should be in an environment where there is someone who does not want it there. He explained that all Muslims should be aware of other religions and be respectful of them always.
In Islam, a fundamental part of the religion is peace, and understanding. This is why i have mixed feelings. Although many do not want this Community Center to be built because of a despicable act that happened 10 years ago, the Center really is promoting religious awareness. I am aware of the fact the the events of 9-11 are very tragic and not easily forgotten, but it is time for Americans to educate themselves about Islam and realize that the religion is not at fault. I believe that Muslims are simply guilty of association with these monsters because we share the same religions. Terrorists just have a distorted view of things and have no right to be calling themselves Muslims.
-Bilal Akhter
I disagree with what Terry Jones wants to do with the Koran. I don't think burning the Koran is a good way of expressing how he feels towards muslims. It wasn't all muslims but it was a group of muslims, so there is no need to burn the Koran. Burning it will not solve anything, if anything it could create more problems. As hard as it may be we need to learn how to move on and forget, not forget the people who lost their lives or the towers but the people who did it.
I think that the mosque should not be built near ground zero, i feel like it would be disrespectful to the people who lost their lives there. If they know the pain our country went though then why even try to have it built there? There are so many spots in NYC for then to build a mosque why choose there? I just don't understand where they are trying to come from.
-Kaitlyn Raiha
There is no denying that Gainesville, FL pastor (and owner of one of the most ridiculous mustaches imaginable)Terry Jones' plan to burn the Koran on September 11th was deplorable, and contrasted the spirit of American democracy in every way. Despite feelings he may have had linking acts of terror with the Islamic religion as a whole, it was absolutely insensitive of him to consider such a public spectacle at this time. Besides being hypocritical and deliberately offensive, Jones puts a target on the backs of tens of thousands of American soldiers overseas, and risks alienating Muslims across the world. Nevertheless, Jones has just as much of a right to free speech as every other American does. As reckless and insensitive as his plan is, the American government has no right to stop Jones from destroying property that he has legally obtained on private property. Instead, the media should come together in the interest of protecting American servicemen and issue a media blackout of the event. By not covering anything that Jones does, we stop him from being able to create shock and controversy like he intends.
Just as the federal government cannot violate Jones' right to free speech, it cannot violate the right of the Cordoba Initiative to build on property that it has acquired. The Initiative itself must examine the situation more closely. I sincerely believe that Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf is genuine in his desire to promote understanding in the community, and end the strife going on in the world today. He should therefore analyze the situation and figure out if continuing to build the mosque will serve to improve relations with the community as he originally intended to do. Personally, I can understand why victims and the families of victims on 9/11 would object to a center glorifying the religious text that motivated the perpetrators of 9/11, even if the interpretation of these perpetrators was misguided. Although Abdul Rauf is totally within his rights to build the mosque, and our government would be totally out of line to stop it, he should really stop to figure out whether the negative emotions that are being stirred up, and the old wounds that are being reopened are worth the building of this community center.
I completley disagree with Terry Jones, however i beleive that it is his right to freedom of speech and that the government has no right to stop him. If he wants to burn the Koran for 9/11s ninth anniversary let him. Thats his buisness and his problem for being so ignorant that he would insult an entire group of inocent people just because a few people from the same religion are complete phsycos.
Concerning the controversy over the proposal to build a mosque near ground zero once again i beleive that the muslim people have every right to build the mosque wherever they want and that is what makes America such a great country. However thats just it, they have the right to build the mosque anywhere they want which why i beleive it is completley inconsiderate to build the mosque so close to grounds zero. even though i dont beleive any of them had anything to do with the attack i still beleive that should have known that it would offend certain people.
Terry Jones' exercise of his freedom of expression is substantiated, but is extremely obtuse and heinous. For some reason, Jones believes he is responding to "Islam's control" over us. In my opinion, his planned libricide would only exacerbate this problem by enraging Muslims overseas. I do think that the government should have stepped in to ensure this event did not take place for the safety of our soldiers (who are risking their lives). This act is racist to all Muslims. All Muslims are not terrorist, and those who are not do not deserve such disrespect. This guy should have known from the start that a massive book burning was a bad idea because its never worked before (Nazis, Qin dynasty).
Although we cannot hold all Muslims responsible for the 9/11 tragedy, it does not seem right that a mosque should be built so close to Ground Zero. Many innocent lives, including Muslims, were lost in 9/11 from Islamic Jihad. The proposal of a mosque being built so near is a very sensitive topic. Although Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf may have the right to do this, I think it will cause more bad than good.
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