NYC Islamic Center

This is a follow-up to my August 11, 2010 blog post:

In a recent Newsweek article, Fareed Zakaria published a thoughtful article on the issue of the proposed Islamic Center to be built in New York City. Zarkaria artfully articulated my own views about the fundamental First Amendment right the ensures freedom of religion to ALL Americans. [Of course, he expressed this position much better than I since he is the Newsweek journalist and I am a mere amateur blogger.] The title of this blog entry is linked to the Newsweek article.

In addition, Zakaria mentions Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, a moderate Muslim clergyman and this book, What’s Right With Islam Is What’s Right With America, to quote part of Zakaria's thoughts on the book, " {Rauf}argues that the United States is actually the ideal Islamic society because it encourages diversity and promotes freedom for individuals and for all religions. His vision of Islam is bin Laden’s nightmare.'

I share the link to Rauf's book here because I think Americans can make a great step toward peace and understanding if we simply make an effort to open our minds to the thoughts and opinions of others. We do not live in a vacuume the United States is only one nation in the world community. To fear and disparage beliefs that we do not know or understand is simply ignorance. Pick up this book, or any other book, with an open mind. Who knows, a little knowledge might give you a fresh look at the issue.

What's Right with Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West

Who Dat! Two Dat?

Tonight the New Orleans Saints kick off the 2010 preseason as they face the New England Patriots. This will be our first chance to see them in action since their Super Bowl win. WOW! It still feels so go to say that--the Saints not only made it to the Super Bowl, the WON the game. No matter what happens this season you can't take that away from them.

I've been reading Drew's story in "Coming Back Stronger". It is interesting to read about the team journey to victory from his perspective. It is as if a bunch of rag-tag misfits came together as a team to find redemption. Not only did they rebuild a team that had languished at the bottom of the league for its entire 43 year history, they helped rebuild the city of New Orleans from the devestation of Hurricane Katrina. They gave Orleanians hope and showed them what can result from hard work' determination, and a lot of prayer.



UPDATE: The final score was 24-27. Not bad! Of course, I would have preferred that it be marked in the win column for the Saints, but that's okay. It was a good opportunity to see what the newest players on the team can do.

Why can't we all get along?

I just don't get it. For weeks now I've listened to news reports of people ranting about the proposed mosque to be built in New York City a couple of blocks from ground zero--the site of the 9/11 attack. I do understand the sensitivity of the issue; however, I am disturbed by the outright hatred and intolerance toward Muslims. (By the way-- 1. They do not want to build a mosque, they want to build a PEACE center. 2. There is ALREADY a mosque only 3-4 blocks away from the ground zero site and it has been there for over 40 YEARS. It was there BEFORE the twin towers of the World Trade Center were constructed.)

Hmmm, do we need to be reminded of the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Freedom of Religion is one of the most important pillars that established the foundation for this country. The first amendment does not guarantee freedom to practice selected religions--it protects ALL religious faiths. If we want to deny the freedom of a religion that is not our own don't you see that we threaten the freedom of our very own religion?

I love this quote:

"He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself" ~ Thomas Paine

Have we as a nation really become so partisan and intolerant? I am a Christian and cannot imagine any circumstance that would cause me to turn away from my faith. I am also a Christian that deeply respects other faiths. There are so many common threads that should unite people of all faiths. Why do some people feel so threatened or harbor such hatred that they are compelled to fight against people of different faiths? Take a deep breath folks. Let's try to learn from each other.

On the August 10, 2010 broadcast of the Daily Show Jon Stewart did a great job of illustrating the absurdity. I've posted the link above--just click on the title of this blog entry.