Do you support the POTUS siding with building the Mosque at the 9-11 site.

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0810/Obama_backs_Manhattan_mosque.html

<August 13, 2010
Categories:

    * Barack Obama

Obama backs Manhattan mosque

Taking a political risk in the interest of the pluralistic vision that has always been central to his political identity, President Obama will take a strong stand in favor of a mosque near Ground Zero in remarks at the White House Iftar Dinner tonight.

Obama, echoing Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and spurning national polls, virtually all Republican leaders, and many members of his own party, cast the controversy as a test of tolerance:

    Recently, attention has been focused on the construction of mosques in certain communities – particularly in 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. The pain and suffering experienced by those who lost loved ones is unimaginable. So I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. 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 anyone else in this country. 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 unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are. The writ of our Founders must endure. >

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

There have been many controversial religious expressions in our country over the past 200+ years.  Usually our Presidents are content to remain neutral, not advocating for any particular one. Why did this President find it necessary to intervene in this controversy that was going to happen without his intervention?

He certainly elevates the profile of the discussion, but is it good for our country on the world stage?  Does it highlight our freedom or does it showcase the inherent weaknesses our system has so our enemies can use them against us?

Why use the White House's Ramadan dinner to announce this support? For that matter, why have a Ramadan dinner?

[Silk_Hope]

Gov Patterson even offered free land to the Imam that was a little farther away and he turned it down. It looks more and more like the mosque is being built to spite the 911 event. Obama is fueling the fire especially since he sent the Imam to be a US representative to the Middle East.

[Innocent Bystander]

    But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. 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 unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are. The writ of our Founders must endure. >

While I agree that the site is incredibly awkward, and if I was an advisor to that particular religious community I would have sent them looking somewhere else, I am unsure of what part of the President's statement you are willfully ignoring. The part about being able to practice their religion just like everyone else, a right guaranteed by the Constitution or the part about the right for people to build what and where they want on private property? He specifically did NOT weigh in on whether he thought it was a good idea or not for the above stated reasons.

For that matter, why have a Ramadan dinner?

Why have a National Prayer Breakfast? Muslims are citizens, just like Baptists, Catholics, Wiccans, etc. That fact that people disagree with a religious point of view is why our country exists. I am completely a-religious and find the constant insertion of religion into the political life of this country a complete pain in the rear end. But that's just me. And I respect everyone's right to practice their religion in peace.
Try tolerance.
You'll like it.

[Beckysews]

FREEDOM to practice one's religion.  period.

[mary51802]

The government should not be involved on pushing one or another. There is a separation of state and church. He was just simply stating we have the freedom to worship how we want here, no matter the religion.

True Muslism is not violent and hatred filled like the war minded idioteds think it is.

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

Our tolerance is a good thing, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether it was wise for an American President to give up the neutral ground of tolerance and become an advocate.

[Innocent Bystander]

Our tolerance is a good thing, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether it was wise for an American President to give up the neutral ground of tolerance and become an advocate.

You gotta show that he's an advocate of a mosque in this area. As near as I can tell, Obama is advocating religious tolerance while carefully avoiding any indication of whether he thinks this mosque is a good idea or not. If you have proof, or a cite, that shows that Obama says something like "I think a mosque is a good idea here" or ANY thing like that, I'd love to see it. So far, all I've see is a defense of religious freedom and tolerance as well as an defense of "people can build what they want, where they want, on private property." I don't see anything to back up your contention at all.

[cccoach]

Yes it was wise for a sitting president to be an advocate for religious freedom. If they own the land they should have every right to build a place of worship where they see fit. If this were a Republican advocating for the rights of Christianity you would have no issue with the situation.

[belle]

For that matter, why have a Ramadan dinner?

well, why have an Easter Egg Hunt on the White House lawn? this was a dinner, breaking the day long fast of Ramadan, not a "Ramadan Dinner" but an iftar, a daily dinner, after a day of fasting.

it is part of the celebration of a religious holiday, but not the main event.

[John Florida]

Our tolerance is a good thing, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether it was wise for an American President to give up the neutral ground of tolerance and become an advocate.

You gotta show that he's an advocate of a mosque in this area. As near as I can tell, Obama is advocating religious tolerance while carefully avoiding any indication of whether he thinks this mosque is a good idea or not. If you have proof, or a cite, that shows that Obama says something like "I think a mosque is a good idea here" or ANY thing like that, I'd love to see it. So far, all I've see is a defense of religious freedom and tolerance as well as an defense of "people can build what they want, where they want, on private property." I don't see anything to back up your contention at all.

  Why would he make this statement when not too long ago when asked he said it was a local problem and had no comment?

[cccoach]

I think this pretty clearly articulates his position.

Obama 'not commenting on wisdom' of controversial Islamic center
From Ed Henry, Senior White House Correspondent

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/14/obama.islamic.center/index.html?hpt=T1

[John Florida]

Our tolerance is a good thing, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether it was wise for an American President to give up the neutral ground of tolerance and become an advocate.

 Tolerance is also a part of this issue. Were being asked for tolerance to be given to the intolerant.

[belle]

Our tolerance is a good thing, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether it was wise for an American President to give up the neutral ground of tolerance and become an advocate.

 Tolerance is also a part of this issue. Were being asked for tolerance to be given to the intolerant.

this mosque is not intolerant. it is very mainstream Islam. they are building what equals a YMCA. they have had these plans in place for 30 years. they have no connection to the 19 Saudi nationals who got mixed up in Al Quida, and brought down the Twin Towers, who were Wasabi Islamists.

I have to wonder, who is exhibiting intolerance here.

[John Florida]

Our tolerance is a good thing, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether it was wise for an American President to give up the neutral ground of tolerance and become an advocate.

 Tolerance is also a part of this issue. Were being asked for tolerance to be given to the intolerant.

this mosque is not intolerant. it is very mainstream Islam. they are building what equals a YMCA. they have had these plans in place for 30 years. they have no connection to the 19 Saudi nationals who got mixed up in Al Quida, and brought down the Twin Towers. they were Wasabi Islamists.

I have to wonder, who is exhibiting intolerance here.

  What do you think the odds of a gay man walking in there are? Do you think they will be welcoming any Jews to the grand opening? Will women be treated as equals there??

 How do you know they had plans to build here 30 years ago?

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