http://content.usatoday.com/communi...que-near-ground-zero-draws-strong-reactions/1 [rquoter] Obama's comments came during an Iftar dinner in celebration of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Here is the relevant portion: Indeed, over the course of our history, religion has flourished within our borders precisely because Americans have had the right to worship as they choose -- including the right to believe in no religion at all. And it is a testament to the wisdom of our Founders that America remains deeply religious -- a nation where the ability of peoples of different faiths to coexist peacefully and with mutual respect for one another stands in stark contrast to the religious conflict that persists elsewhere around the globe. Now, that's not to say that religion is without controversy. Recently, attention has been focused on the construction of mosques in certain communities -- particularly New York. Now, we must all recognize and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of Lower Manhattan. The 9/11 attacks were a deeply traumatic event for our country. And the pain and the experience of suffering by those who lost loved ones is just unimaginable. So I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. And Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground. But let me be clear. As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. (Applause.) And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America. And our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are. The writ of the Founders must endure. We must never forget those who we lost so tragically on 9/11, and we must always honor those who led the response to that attack -- from the firefighters who charged up smoke-filled staircases, to our troops who are serving in Afghanistan today. And let us also remember who we're fighting against, and what we're fighting for. Our enemies respect no religious freedom. Al Qaeda's cause is not Islam -- it's a gross distortion of Islam. These are not religious leaders -- they're terrorists who murder innocent men and women and children. In fact, al Qaeda has killed more Muslims than people of any other religion -- and that list of victims includes innocent Muslims who were killed on 9/11. So that's who we're fighting against. And the reason that we will win this fight is not simply the strength of our arms -- it is the strength of our values. The democracy that we uphold. The freedoms that we cherish. The laws that we apply without regard to race, or religion, or wealth, or status. Our capacity to show not merely tolerance, but respect towards those who are different from us -- and that way of life, that quintessentially American creed, stands in stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us on that September morning, and who continue to plot against us today. In my inaugural address I said that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and every culture, drawn from every end of this Earth. And that diversity can bring difficult debates. This is not unique to our time. Past eras have seen controversies about the construction of synagogues or Catholic churches. But time and again, the American people have demonstrated that we can work through these issues, and stay true to our core values, and emerge stronger for it. So it must be -- and will be -- today.[/rquoter]
People forget that some of the victims of the attacks were Muslim too, ranging from employees to firefighters. The people that committed those terrible acts of terrorism are NOT Muslim, and nor should be considered as such.
I like that his response isn't lukewarm on an issue he will definitely draw increasing fire from the right--no parsing or offering of olive branches. Where are the constitution originalist’s of the Tea-bagger movement on this, they ought to be applauding the presidents strong constitutional stand.....right? *crickets*
Of course not. The Constitution is like The Bible for teabaggers. It is to be ignored except as a tool to cherry-pick for items supporting a Republican Party agenda.
I think Sam Harris put it pretty much perfectly, "American Muslims should be absolutely free to build a mosque two blocks from ground zero; but the ones who should do it probably wouldn’t want to."
I support their right to build there but at the same time think they should reconsider due to all the hard feelings it will cause.
I think the issue itself was generated by insane idiots and those who pander to them. Obama doesn't need to hedge because no sane person would be against building a moderate ground zero mosque. I don't doubt there would be potential trouble or vandalism once it's up, but it's about who we are and what the government shouldn't do.
I read this article on MSNBC and the comment section was head-scratching to say the least. Its sad to see people willing to deny others a fundamental right based on association.
I support a Mosque on ground zero, but I think it's really just going to be an Islamic cultural center.
If it causes hard feelings that is because one political party has made it their cause to demonize an entire religion. Anyone who cares at all about America, its founding principles, The Constitution or the people who perished on 9/11 should fight this attitude in every way we can. And **** George Bush and all his followers for creating an environment in which anyone would call the building of a house of worship hurtful to 9/11 victims and their families, let alone an environment in which religious texts are being burned by "Christians" and "Christian" leaders are calling for a nationwide ban on mosque building. Take the plank out of your own eye.
This is just one more reminder of who we should have as leaders in America. A president and party that stand for racial and religious tolerance or a party bent on banning houses of worship and denying rights to natural born citizens of the country. The difference is striking
I'm surprised no one has posted this, was gonna post this in the other thread. Some Excepts from a statement by the Anti-Defamation League made awhile back: http://www.adl.org/PresRele/CvlRt_32/5820_32.htm Its really surprising the hypocrisy shown
How about the fact that the Mosque is not on ground zero but two blacks away from ground zero. Also there is already a Mosque just as close to gound zero. This is another divisionist story. I always wonder is the media uninformed or are the just puppetmasters?
