The Cordoba House (Mosque)

[Saffron]

I have and it makes me sad... it also makes me even more glad that I was raised without religion because most of the people I meet who hate others are the ones most likely to be religious but I don't hate them, I feel sorry for them.

[Pete Bondurant]

Negroes? Really?

What a pathetic, little, racist, twit you are. Is your dick the same size as your teeny tiny brain? That would explain a whole lot. You seriously make me sick.

I have nothing against Oriental peoples.

[runecire]

You should. Hate is very natural, very easy. It's a very sound social condition.

Just look at the contents of this thread.

Hate is easier than love or concern. Even easier is disdain.

I was taught in college that most people only have the capacity to care deeply for 30 peeps or less. Apparently it ties back to the days we were still cave-dwellers. Seriously. Draw up a list. Bet most of you won't make it to thirty (including extended relatives). Crying over a death does not count...death that affects you deeply counts.

[brokenandtwisted]

It's less than 30.

More like 10.

Maybe 5.

[Countess Olenska]

Have 20 kids. That will help.

[Saffron]

I guess that makes me one of a kind. I'm too damned sensitive. All death affects me deeply. I still get shivers down my spine and feel a hole in my heart remembering the condemned murderer who I went to the state capitol and protested the death penalty for. I can still remember the candle wax dripping on my hands. I remember too, the story of his victim who didn't affect me any less. When a member of my family dies, it feels like a piece of me has died too... even if I'm not moved to tears. Even when I know their suffering is over. After 9 years, I still see the images of the people jumping from the Twin Towers in my mind's eye. I look at the clock at 9:11 am and pm nearly every day still. In 79 days, John Lennon will have been dead 20 years and there isn't a day that I don't think of him and his death... each thought a hole in my heart. Norman Borlaug died sometime in the last year or so. The day he died was wrenching. He literally saved over a billion lives. No matter he was 80+ years old, he was a hero to me and I was useless to be near for several days after he died. When the Dalai Lama dies, I will be no less touched. When John Paul II and Mother Teresa died, I was similarly affected even though I disagree with their philosophy (although I do not think that Benedict will affect me much when he dies as I find him completely unsympathetic).

I do have to try to forget or put a mental shield up or I will go crazy. I do wear my heart on my sleeve and I often sit at my computer reading the news and weeping. Not just for famous people but for all of the stories I read... even here. I've been trying to pull back because it will drive me crazy. This is something I never admit but I read blogs written for and about and sometimes by children with horrific and usually terminal illnesses. Each time one of them dies (and it happens fairly regularly), I'm a bear to be around.

Every story shows me how precious every drop of life is. It makes me appreciate my kids and their health even more. I love just about every single person on this planet although there are many I love more than others but I can't think of one single person I'd deliberately eliminate. Every person is needed in some way... even if we don't know why. I detest the actions of some people but even them I can't eliminate. Heck, I haven't even gone "home" to Germany since I left last on March 20, 1999 because my grandmother died and I can't bring myself to go even though I miss the rest of my family. This way, she's simply not here... whereas if I go to Germany and she's not there, it's final and she's gone and I'll never see her again. I can't explain what the difference is but there is one.

I guarantee you though that if I hear of any one of your deaths, I'll be just as upset, off kilter, devastated with a hole in my heart so big it makes it hard to breathe as I have been for any of the people I listed above. I can't even contemplate the deaths of my kids without a hopelessness and terror that makes me want to lay down and never wake up. Now that you all think I'm completely insane, I'll sign off.

[brokenandtwisted]

You're not completely insane, Saffron. Just do what I did...tear off your clothing, rip out your heart, case it in liquid nitrogen and cackle maniacally at the moon as you blast down your street on a motorized unicycle, backward...

Ah...the first time I was arrested, good memories...

Joking about death is extremely therapeutic, so just embrace it - it will come with ease and apathy will arise. Try it. Just say, "Fuck, I want to take a knife to her face." Your life will change. I promise.

Have 20 kids. That will help.

Is this before or after I have a conveyor belt implanted into me?!

[Rockin Ma]

Norwalk, Conn. (AP) - A Muslim group that wants to build a mosque and community center in a Connecticut neighborhood says most of the plan's critics appear genuinely concerned about potential parking and traffic problems, but there has been some anti-Islamic sentiment.

The Al Madany Islamic Center of Norwalk is seeking approval from the Norwalk planning and zoning commission to build the 2,700-square-foot mosque and community center on Fillow Street. The commission is holding a public hearing Wednesday.

Many neighbors say the streets aren't wide enough to handle traffic and parking for the center.

A representative of Al Madany tells The Advocate of Stamford that website news stories about the mosque have generated some racist comments online, and one congregation member received a threatening phone call

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/fairfie...mosque-opposed

Everything I've read on this is that it really is a residential, small road neighborhood.

[biteme]

Picture of building at link, sounds like it's all going to turn out fairly good for everyone

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ermans-HQ.html
Ground Zero mosque likened to Superman’s HQ
Futuristic designs for an Islamic centre and mosque near the site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York have been unveiled to widespread expert acclaim.

There will also be a child care centre, a restaurant, culinary school, art studios, exhibition space and auditorium.
The prayer space for Muslims will be on two levels in the basement, and the 12th floor will have a 9/11 memorial and sanctuary open to people of all faiths.

[Rockin Ma]

Did anyone watch that Q&A about Islam on ABC the other night? I did and I thought it provided still not enough information but it was a hell of a lot more than I did know.

I had no idea they believe Jesus is a Messiah and he is the one that will come again at the end of times and that they believe he is at God's right hand and his name is exalted all throughout their quaran.

I also just received a pamphlet in the mail telling me I need to make Zagkat.

[HijabiGirl]

Rockin Ma,

Yep, Islam teaches that Jesus was the Messiah but it's a bit different than what the Christians teach. We don't "accept him as Lord and Savior" and we do not believe he was divine. We believe he was a prophet and that he taught about the Onenes of God. We do not follow the bible because we believe that it has been distorted and therefore cannot determine what are his teachings and what are not.

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam (zakat means charity) and is required of all able Muslims. Not sure why you were sent the pamphlet but anyways....no worries. :p
A really good book about Islam and the real fundamental teachings is "Islam for Dummies." It explains what Islam teaches and how it differs from the other Abrahamic religions. It also clears up common misconceptions spouted by the media as well as uneducated Muslims.

[Rockin Ma]

I really think watching that is worth it to anyone who would like to know some "basics" on Islam. I was very surprised. I'm also happy the news station did it. There really is so much fear generated by the news hearing the word "Islam" then pics posted of soldiers at war, that I hope their small segment helped some.

[Pete Bondurant]

[TACO]

I still find it amazing that some would take a class in Islam to learn the basics about it, but will slam Christianity in the same breath. Amazing! JMO

[brokenandtwisted]

The reasoning for that is quite simple, TACO. Those that slam Christianity know far too much about it for personal comfort.

[Pete Bondurant]

The reasoning for that is quite simple, TACO. Those that slam Christianity know far too much about it for personal comfort.

There is something very amiss about a liberal thinking person that decries Christianity yet seems to go out of their way to defend Islam. The simple explanation for this hypocrisy is......race. Most Muslims in the world are non-white and to a white liberal, there is nothing more horrible than to be accused of being racist. Therefore, white liberals who routinely and constantly denigrate and mock Christianity find themselves unable to voice similar criticisms towards Islam, which...if one were to be honest, can only by described as chauvinistic and misogynistic. If white southerners were to convert to Islam in massive numbers, the liberals would gladly condemn the faith. Bill Maher and Christopher Hitchens are the rare exceptions to this phenomenon.

[brokenandtwisted]

What? Surely you aren't speaking to me. I am a closet racist. I loathe Asians. Specifically the Chinese, actually. They are definitely not 'white' people. The Chinese are disposable.

'White people' are just as treacherous as those 'non-white' folk, Pete.

[Pete Bondurant]

I respect the Chinese and have every intention of fully collaborating with them once they have conquered the western world. I do hope they give me a dashing uniform.

[brokenandtwisted]

You do not know Mandarin. This is akin to wishing to become a Nazi and being fluent in Swahili.

[Pete Bondurant]

You do not know Mandarin. This is akin to wishing to become a Nazi and being fluent in Swahili.

My grand-father did not speak German and he served valiantly on the Eastern Front.

[brokenandtwisted]

As a peon!

[Pete Bondurant]

As a peon!

Hauptsturmführer

[Rockin Ma]

I still find it amazing that some would take a class in Islam to learn the basics about it, but will slam Christianity in the same breath. Amazing! JMO

Hope that wasn't meant for me there, TACO.

[TACO]

Hope that wasn't meant for me there, TACO.

It was not intended for you Rockin Ma. My saying that was an opinion of what others on the forum do.

[brokenandtwisted]

Hauptsturmführer

Wait...Josef Mengele was your grandfather? Oh, delightful news!

Oh, come on guys. He's OBVIOUSLY talking about Echo.

[Pete Bondurant]

Wait...Josef Mengele was your grandfather? Oh, delightful news!

Oh, come on guys. He's OBVIOUSLY talking about Echo.

No. The good doctor was Bavarian. My grand-father was Flemish.

[brokenandtwisted]

That's sad news to hear, Pete. For a moment I thought you were of Nazi Royalty.

[Pete Bondurant]

That's sad news to hear, Pete. For a moment I thought you were of Nazi Royalty.

I'll have you know that my family has been banished from two continents and I am certain to add yet another landmass to this list.

[Echo]

Wait...Josef Mengele was your grandfather? Oh, delightful news!

Oh, come on guys. He's OBVIOUSLY talking about Echo.

I have never taken a class in Islam....and personally, I don't give either (or ANY) religion any credence. I prefer science and free and critical thought. But it sure is fun to watch The Righteous claw away at one another all the live long day. Discriminating and bashing anyone that belongs to that "other" religion.

It's such a Christian thing to do. Jesus would be so proud!!!!!

[Mare]

I posted this in an aother thread. Thought some of you might get a kick out of it.

It made me laugh this morning. My friend's facebook status:

Regarding the mosque near Ground Zero, I say let them build it. But, across the street we should open a topless bar called "You Mecca Me Hot", next to that, a gay bar called "The Turban Cowboy" and next to that, a pork rib restaurant called "Iraq o' Ribs" and next to that a check cashing place calles "Iran out of money".
Let's see who's really tolerant.