What's up with all the Islamaphobia in the US now a days?

[QUOTE="dk00111"]

But I am an OT liberal... :?

airshocker

Liberals eat their own .... Didn't you know? :)

[QUOTE="MaxPred2010"]

Lol hundreds of years ago.

But you're right. I mean, Christians DO fly planes into buildings, behead people on film, stone 9 year olds to death... oh wait, they DON'T.

Snipes_2

[QUOTE="Snipes_2"]

[QUOTE="MaxPred2010"]

Lol hundreds of years ago.

But you're right. I mean, Christians DO fly planes into buildings, behead people on film, stone 9 year olds to death... oh wait, they DON'T.

LJS9502_basic

Did you have trouble finishing that sentence?

MaxPred2010

No, not really. What's the point of this question?

Constantly here....and most of the time the person referring to them did no research.LJS9502_basic

Constantly here....and most of the time the person referring to them did no research.LJS9502_basic

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100815/pl_afp/uspoliticsreligionattacks_20100815184754#mwpphu-container go to "highest rated" in the comments. More often than not those are more or less sensible (people stating good pros or cons of the subject at hand). However in this case the first 5 not only bash the planned mosque/community center but they bash Islam hard itself. Some quotes for the higehest rated comments

"This is one nation under god (singular) if you don't like it that way then leave" (comment implies Allah isn't god)

"I strongly disagree with the building of this mosque if it were up to me I would remove all muslims from America. Islam is only peaceful if you are a muslim if you are not a muslim they just kill you!" Comment for the most part implies over a billion people (including several mllion Americans) want to slaughter those who disagee with their religous beliefs.

and probably the strongest comment holding a thumbs up thumbs down ratio of about 3:2. "Any american who participates in the building of this should be shot on site for treason against the constitution".

What's wrong with people?

Boston_Boyy

The only problem i have with others expressing their religion is that i KNOW me doing the same in their country would not garner the same response from them. They come here expecting something that they would not be willing to give another.

Otherwise, i honestly could not care less what anyone does/wants to do.

Alter_Echo

[QUOTE="Alter_Echo"]

The only problem i have with others expressing their religion is that i KNOW me doing the same in their country would not garner the same response from them. They come here expecting something that they would not be willing to give another.

Otherwise, i honestly could not care less what anyone does/wants to do.

theone86

That's not really true, most Muslims support freedom of religion and wish that the few Islamist regimes that disallow it would be more open, which is part of the reason why Muslims come to nations like the U.S.

As to the topic, the Islamophobia in America is bad, but it's ten times worse in European nations, one of the few areas where I think we're actually ahead of Europe in terms of progress.

Islamophobia is not bad at all in America. Besides people saying dumb things on youtube video comments, there is not really much to talk about. States are not passing laws against the faith and it's not like people are walking around attacking Muslims. Look at how bad past groups have been discrimnated against and look at what is happening to Muslims in America today. It's almost not comparable.

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"]People respond to what they see in the world.theone86

But they're also very selective about what they see.

Exactly, people see Islam as a violent religion whose followers are terroists yet they forget that other terrorist groups followed the Christian religion aswell. Just because a minority of extremists that happen to be Muslim does not me everyone of that religion is a terrorist, believes the same way they do or that Islam is a violent religion.

Exactly, people see Islam as a violent religion whose followers are terroists yet they forget that other terrorist groups followed the Christian religion aswell. Just because a minority of extremists that happen to be Muslim does not me everyone of that religion is a terrorist, believes the same way they do or that Islam is a violent religion.

DarkGamer007

Selective blindness goes both ways, though. One side is unwilling to take into consideration the things the Imam has said, his refusal to show where the money has come from, and his reluctance to denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The proximity of the Mosque to ground-zero shouldn't matter UNLESS it's proven that this mosque is funded by extremists. Until we are given the answers we want, I can't support this mosque.

People persecuting otherpeople because of their beliefs and/or ethnicity? In America? For real?

People are getting mad over what is to become a YMMA.

I wonder what group fanned the flames on this issue :roll:

[QUOTE="DarkGamer007"]

Exactly, people see Islam as a violent religion whose followers are terroists yet they forget that other terrorist groups followed the Christian religion aswell. Just because a minority of extremists that happen to be Muslim does not me everyone of that religion is a terrorist, believes the same way they do or that Islam is a violent religion.

airshocker

Selective blindness goes both ways, though. One side is unwilling to take into consideration the things the Imam has said, his refusal to show where the money has come from, and his reluctance to denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The proximity of the Mosque to ground-zero shouldn't matter UNLESS it's proven that this mosque is funded by extremists. Until we are given the answers we want, I can't support this mosque.

My comment wasn't directed at the Mosque being built near Ground Zero, but just more of a general statement about how some people view Islam and Muslims.

This is one nation under god (singular) if you don't like it that way then leave" (comment implies Allah isn't god)

What's wrong with people?

Boston_Boyy

If the problem with this one is that he implies that Allah isn't god, then I don't see the problem..?

Now, people are gonna totally misinterpret what I'm saying here. I'm just saying, him being a christian, I was sort of expecting him not to worship Allah.. :P

Selective blindness goes both ways, though. One side is unwilling to take into consideration the things the Imam has said, his refusal to show where the money has come from, and his reluctance to denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The proximity of the Mosque to ground-zero shouldn't matter UNLESS it's proven that this mosque is funded by extremists. Until we are given the answers we want, I can't support this mosque.

airshocker

So every muslim and muslim organization must badgered like a second class in order to pass your test? It's not even a mosque its going to be a Cultural Center similar to a YMCA. And there are two REAL Mosques already in the area.

And you don't have to support their endeavor. They have the right to build whatever they want there. Why can't their freedoms be respected? I'm sure you wouldn't want someone from another religion telling you that it wasn't okay to build a church on property you ownedwithin a mile of their holy building because it would be offensive to them.

[

American citizens, regardless of religion are protected by the Constitution. There is no 'in their country' because THIS is their country. THIS is where they reside, pay taxes and worship, so it's OUR rules that matter. And OUR rules dictate that there's no right to stop them from building as long as they adhere TO these rules. End of story. Motives be damned.bigdcstile

This is the best post I've read in nearly a page.

You're correct, some people seem to be using "A church wouldn't be allowed in their country". But these people are Muslim, as we know too well: Islam is an international religion, we'll have Iranian Muslims, American Muslims, Afghan Muslims, French Muslims, etc. I've yet to see anything to back up the presupposition that these particular Muslims were both born in a different nation and being of invalid citizenship status, ie, belonging to another country (the opposite of both making America "their" country). The presupposition being false makes the statement ridiculous: "They wouldn't let us build churches in their country" is a false proposition as America allows other religions to build sacred temples, churches and whatnot.

Very good eye.

[QUOTE="airshocker"]

Selective blindness goes both ways, though. One side is unwilling to take into consideration the things the Imam has said, his refusal to show where the money has come from, and his reluctance to denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The proximity of the Mosque to ground-zero shouldn't matter UNLESS it's proven that this mosque is funded by extremists. Until we are given the answers we want, I can't support this mosque.

Ultimas_Blade

So every muslim and muslim organization must badgered like a second class in order to pass your test? It's not even a mosque its going to be a Cultural Center similar to a YMCA. And there are two REAL Mosques already in the area.

And you don't have to support their endeavor. They have the right to build whatever they want there. Why can't their freedoms be respected? I'm sure you wouldn't want someone from another religion telling you that it wasn't okay to build a church on property you ownedwithin a mile of their holy building because it would be offensive to them.

So every muslim and muslim organization must badgered like a second class in order to pass your test? It's not even a mosque its going to be a Cultural Center similar to a YMCA. And there are two REAL Mosques already in the area.

And you don't have to support their endeavor. They have the right to build whatever they want there. Why can't their freedoms be respected? I'm sure you wouldn't want someone from another religion telling you that it wasn't okay to build a church on property you ownedwithin a mile of their holy building because it would be offensive to them.

Ultimas_Blade

None of what you just said changes the fact that these questions have not been answered. A responsible adult asks these kinds of questions.

I already know we disagree on this subject, so I'm not inclined to get into another argument about it.

The only problem i have with others expressing their religion is that i KNOW me doing the same in their country would not garner the same response from them. They come here expecting something that they would not be willing to give another.

Otherwise, i honestly could not care less what anyone does/wants to do.

Alter_Echo

[QUOTE="Alter_Echo"]

The only problem i have with others expressing their religion is that i KNOW me doing the same in their country would not garner the same response from them. They come here expecting something that they would not be willing to give another.

Otherwise, i honestly could not care less what anyone does/wants to do.

edwise18

[QUOTE="Ultimas_Blade"]

So every muslim and muslim organization must badgered like a second class in order to pass your test? It's not even a mosque its going to be a Cultural Center similar to a YMCA. And there are two REAL Mosques already in the area.

And you don't have to support their endeavor. They have the right to build whatever they want there. Why can't their freedoms be respected? I'm sure you wouldn't want someone from another religion telling you that it wasn't okay to build a church on property you ownedwithin a mile of their holy building because it would be offensive to them.

airshocker

None of what you just said changes the fact that these questions have not been answered. A responsible adult asks these kinds of questions.

I already know we disagree on this subject, so I'm not inclined to get into another argument about it.

I believe some money is coming from Muslim countries....according to the BBC anyway. LJS9502_basic

I wouldn't mind it if these countries were, for the most, peaceful. However, I won't support something if it's being paid for by our enemies.

[QUOTE="edwise18"]

[QUOTE="Alter_Echo"]

The only problem i have with others expressing their religion is that i KNOW me doing the same in their country would not garner the same response from them. They come here expecting something that they would not be willing to give another.

Otherwise, i honestly could not care less what anyone does/wants to do.

F1_2004

True, and besides if we start to pick and choose what immigrants are or are not allowed to do by means of 'well I wouldn't be able to do that over in their country so why should I' then it just gets a little silly…

Islam is not a victim-- therefore I don't believe that there's a such thing as Islamophobia. It's strange that I often see moderate muslims complaining about being stereotyped, but I never see a moderate muslim speaking out against islamic fundamentalism. If you want a problem solved, do something to fix it.

[QUOTE="Ultimas_Blade"]

[QUOTE="airshocker"]

Selective blindness goes both ways, though. One side is unwilling to take into consideration the things the Imam has said, his refusal to show where the money has come from, and his reluctance to denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization.

The proximity of the Mosque to ground-zero shouldn't matter UNLESS it's proven that this mosque is funded by extremists. Until we are given the answers we want, I can't support this mosque.

Snipes_2

So every muslim and muslim organization must badgered like a second class in order to pass your test? It's not even a mosque its going to be a Cultural Center similar to a YMCA. And there are two REAL Mosques already in the area.

And you don't have to support their endeavor. They have the right to build whatever they want there. Why can't their freedoms be respected? I'm sure you wouldn't want someone from another religion telling you that it wasn't okay to build a church on property you ownedwithin a mile of their holy building because it would be offensive to them.

So because they do it in Muslim countries that makes it right to do here in America? Great reasoning there. It is petty to want to do something just because someone else does it. Why would we want to morally step down when we already have a great standard of freedom to abide by?

Islam is not a victim-- therefore I don't believe that there's a such thing as Islamophobia. It's strange that I often see moderate muslims complaining about being stereotyped, but I never see a moderate muslim speaking out against islamic fundamentalism. If you want a problem solved, do something to fix it.

dracula_16

[QUOTE="edwise18"]

[QUOTE="Alter_Echo"]

The only problem i have with others expressing their religion is that i KNOW me doing the same in their country would not garner the same response from them. They come here expecting something that they would not be willing to give another.

Otherwise, i honestly could not care less what anyone does/wants to do.

F1_2004

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="theone86"]

Good for you, I don't care. Then why take the time debating this topic?..

Google it. I found nothing on it..now please provide a quote..as the mans name is not anywhere to be seen in this discussion...

For the people does not mean that public opinion can sway the legislative process, if the fathers had wanted a direct democracy they would have made one. We have a system where legislators are democratically elected to make laws, while still held in check by the Constitution, which is upheld by other leaders who are appointed by democratically elected leaders. PUBLIC OPINION CANNOT MAKE LAWS. Just like when people used public opinion to defend segregation, this argument is equally as worthless here. Where did i ever state the public could make laws?..I stated that it is wrong to disregard the opinion of those who actually live in the city in which it is to be built and who lost neighbors and friends in the attack on the US...i guess arguing such a thing would be a pointless thing to do with one who believes that it is not offensive to build an insitution that praises the beliefs that resulted in the death and suffering of thousands on a site/near a site in which such suffering occured..

Far is relative, they think they can do the most good by having a mosque there, so that's where they're going to build it. Also, it's not a mosque but a prayer and community center. This is like a YMCA, it serves a different purpose than a mosque. They think they can do more 18 minutes or less away from another mosque?...Really i'd love to understand their logic in coming to this conclusion..and it is an Islamic center...where the islamicidealogy will be practiced..regardless of what they like to call it to lessen it's actual purpose..

It's not juvenile, what I meant is that you're playing right into Bin Laden's game. He loves this acrimony, he loves seeing Americans trying to revoke the rights of Muslims because of what his tiny little faction did. They are not revoking the rights of muslims in anyway...they would be stating that it is offensive to build a Mosque on the site of such an event..if anything..Musims have been catered to MORE since 9/11..(I.E Muslim day at Six flags and a host of other such events..)

theone86

"I mean that they remain in the upper world: but this must not be allowed; they must be made to descend again among the prisoners in the den, and partake of their labors and honors, whether they are worth having or not."-Socrates So the logic is "I'll state I don't care..but then i'll debate anyway"?..

I'm not going to provide a quote. First, I don't have the time. Second, you're the one who made the baseless accusation in the first place, perhaps you should be providing evidence to support your own slanderous claims. Slanderous how? I see no counter sources or anything to prove my statement was in any way slander..i provided a source (I.E. the name of the man quoted)..do you want the direct source from which the men being quoted came from?...I'm sure if it doesn't agree with you then it will be disregarded as something you do not seriously though...so what would be the point?..Regardless...here is the source for said quotes...(http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/14/obamas-support-ground-zero-mosque-draws/) Oh noes fox news is tehevilz! As i stated..you can look on other news sites for the quotes as well..although i doubt you will as you do "not have time" conveniently..yet you have time to post in this thread..

People said the same thing about desegregation. It's not wrong to disregard an opinion when that opinion encroaches on the rights of others. THe New Yorkers who are upset about this are the ones in the wrong for being guided by prejudice. So now you're comparing segregation to terrorism?..They are in no way prejudiced..as i have stated..they believe it is offensive to the memories of those who lost their lives as well as disrespectful to the history of the event that occurred..and still i am waiting for an excuse in regards to why they chose to name it "Cordaba"..

What people do in the name of religion is not indicative of the religion itself. Islam did not cause those deaths, individuals like Osama Bin Laden did. Islam teaches that infidels should be destroyed...as well as those you do not have a "treaty" with..Surah 9:5..

A YMCA is not the same thing as a church, it serves a different purpose as an outreach center. This building is not the same as a mosque, it serves a different purpose. Either way, who are you to tell them where they need their mosque? Perhaps they feel the other mosque is too far away, or that it is not sufficient to serve the purpose that this new building will serve, like an outreach center. Who are you to tell those who suffered losses in the 9/11 attack that they should accept the building of an Islamic center in the proximity of said event..? It is an Islamic center...in which Islamic ideology will be spoken about/spread/taught...these ideas/beliefs bring about acts of terrorism as we have seen on numerous occasions..

That's a weak attempt at detraction, the Six Flags day or any other issues of how Muslims are treated has nothign to do with this issue. Fact, Muslims have a right to build this mosque here. Fact, trying to force them not to build it there is an infringement on their rights. your example has no relevance to the topic at hand. So now protesting is using force? And as i have stated..just because they have the RIGHT to build it does not mean they should ignore the opinion of those who lost family etc on 9/11...And my example is wholly relevant as you stated thatAmericans are "revoking the rights of Muslims" when in fact they are receiving more attention then they ever did before and their rights are being respected to the utmost...Hell, they're "Allah" can't even be mocked for fear of "offending" them..yet other religious figure heads are fair game..

No, the logic is that I don't care what you think but I have a duty to argue anyways. Interesting...

The link you provided had no quotes from the man in charge of the mosque project. You slandered him by taking his words out of context and saying he supports terrorism. You have not yet provided any basis for that. You have absolutely zero proof to show they were taken out of context..therefore you cannot cry slander..and i never stated he supported terrorism regardless...i stated that he believed the US contributed to the events that occured 9/11...

I believe Cordoba is the name of their organization. As to the rest, it's a view driven by phobia and prejudice. It is prejudice to assign the blame for terrorist actions to everyone in one religion. It is phobia-driven to try and frame this as some victory monument for 9/11. These views simply are not grounded in reality, they are based in fear and prejudice. I don't believe so...and even then..why name the Church that..? And anyway According to who?..You?..Well i don't take you seriously therefore i disregard this statement...see how immature stating such a thing is?..They are heavily grounded in reality...just within the past decade there have been NUMEROUS attacks/attempted attacks on innocents..all attackers hailed from the same religious group..therefore..building something in which the Islamic ideology will be taught etc could be deemed disrespectful and offensive to the memories of those who lost their lives as a result of said teachings..

And Christianity teaches that homosexuals should be stoned, I don't see every Christian out in the street killing a homosexual every single day of the week, though it has been known to happen so by your logic all Christians are hate-driven homosexual-murdering maniacs. You could not be farther from the actual teachings..Christians are taught to be forgiving and accepting..if the time was taken to do some research on the teachings perhaps you would have known this..they do not in any way preach violence..also..provide a source and the Bible name for your statement..and why bring Christianity into this?..This discussion has nothing to do with it...Islamic teaching has been proven to result in acts/attempted acts of mass murder as i have stated numerous proofs of this have occured within the past decade..

Saying that having a Islamic community center will bring about more acts of terrorism is prejudicial and phobia-driven. Not at all...it's coming to a conclusion based on past events...besides...Phobia is fear...there's no fear..in fact..people don't mind Muslims at all..they just don't want a place being built in the vicinity of a spot where said places teachings/ideas resulted in mass murder..

Yes, they should ignore the opinion. It's a prejudicial opinion and giving in to irrational mob thought is not something these Muslims should be expected to do. How is it prejudiced to state that building a place where a religion that caused the deaths of THOUSANDS of innocents would be disrespectful and offensive?

Your examples are not releveant, they are detraction. They are isolated events that are wholly seperate from the issue at hand. Whatever special treatment you perceive Muslims to have is not relevant to their right to build a mosque legally near ground zero. Then stop bringing up their rights as a whole if my events..which were not isolated mind you as Muslim day occurs annually and the other event is continuous..and if they are irrelevant then as i stated..do not bring up Muslim rights as a whole...and as i have stated NUMEROUS times...just because they have the right to does not mean that they should..

You're being deceptive in your wording. America contributed, that's vague, what I saw from him was that harmful American foreign policies contribute to the ill perception of America that feeds into the sentiment that terrorist recruiters like Osama Bin Laden use. That's not hateful, that's not extremist, that's a view that's shared by many legitimate foreign policy analysts from all different creeds and all different nationalities. Your rhetoric on this subject has been, at best, misleading and at worst slanderous. There's no debating that, it's not opinion, it's fact. Also, I don't have to prove anything, you didn't offer any substantiation for your claims of what he said either so you have no grounds to be calling me out on the exact same thing.

As to the name Cordoba: however, the sponsors said the name was meant to invoke 8th–11th century Córdoba, where Muslims, Christians, and Jews co-existed in relative peace.

So bunk on your baseless accusations of them naming it as such to represent conquest.

It's only immature when you provide no reason and only invoke that because you can't argue my point. I gave reasons as to why I don't take Santorum and Boehner seriously, because they're both shameless ideologues, they're both shameless career politicians, they both ride waves of political pressure, and they both jump on political red herrings that are filled with emotion in order to garner votes from ignorant voters who would accuse innocent Muslims of making some victory memorial on the site of 9/11.

I will say this slowly, ISLAM ITSELF IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACKS, RADICALS LIKE BIN LADEN ARE, THE SAME AS CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLINGS IN THE NAME OF CHRISTINAITY, THE RADICAL CHRISTIANS WHO CARRY OUT THOSE ACTS ARE. You blaming the religion itself for the attacks, that is prejudice. You saying Islam is a violent religion, that is prejudice. You saying that building a mosque will increase terrorist training, that is phobia-driven. PERIOD. You are basing your opinion on wild imaginings and scenarios that are dreamed up and meant to invoke fear, you have no basis for saying any of this, that is TEXTBOOK, prejudicial and phobia-driven thought. FACT.

You're taking quotes from the Koran and using them selectively even though most Muslims don't go around saying that all infidels should be destroyed. There is a quote, I believe it is in Leviticus, that says if a man lies with another man you should take him out in front of the village and stone him until death. I KNOW that most Christians do'n't believe that, THAT IS EXACTLY MY POINT. It is an analogous situation to Muslims, there may be one verse of scripture in the Koran but that does not mean that EVERY Muslim believes in killing infidels. Christianity has also been proven to be responsible for mass murder according to your logic. Religion has been used to justify all types of acts of violence and hatred, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, all of them. That is not a condemnation of the religion itself, it is a condemnation of the people who use religion to justify their own avarice.

ISLAM DID NOT CAUSE 9/11.

I am not bringing up their rights as a whole, I am saying that they have the right to build this building and they do. That statement is completely seperate from your perceptions of how Muslims are treated in this country. They are not related, I don't know how much clearer I can state that. Their right to build a mosque there has absolutely nothing to do with Muslim day, period. It is a totally unrelated issue, your bringing it up is completel detraction.

Just because New Yorkers hold prejudicial and fear-driven opinions is no reason for the Mosque to not be built.

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]

Americans seem like they always need to have some sort of enemy out there. Commies worked for a long time, but now they're old news, so Muslims are the new subjects of the traditional Two Minutes Hate. :P

Head_of_games

NSFW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAYMJnO9LBQ

Everything is propagated. Just look at all of the facts regarding the issues throughout history then look at what the public schools preach. It's always about propaganda. So when the governmentsays Islam advocates war... that's good enough for the U.S citizens.

Wars & mainstreamdispositionshave always involved religion is some form. Wars have always revolved around the endeavors of others. The people who support and fight are the tools. These wars were never fought to benefit, you me nor the people who died fighting these wars. Still to this day people are being brainwashed and they don't even know it. It starts with public school.

That's not really true, most Muslims support freedom of religion and wish that the few Islamist regimes that disallow it would be more open, which is part of the reason why Muslims come to nations like the U.S. As to the topic, the Islamophobia in America is bad, but it's ten times worse in European nations, one of the few areas where I think we're actually ahead of Europe in terms of progress.theone86

To think a vast majority of Muslims are like those that attacked the Twin Towers is just preposterous, and anyone who thinks that this community center is somehow a trophy to what happened on September 11th are ignorant, giving America a bad name and quite frankly, ****ing themselvesjonnymcl2k

[QUOTE="F1_2004"][QUOTE="edwise18"] I agree.krazy-blazer

I'm guessing it's because us crazy americans like to see womenz practically unclothed and the measily glimpses of ankle makes us irrate and untrusting.Ken_Masterz

It seems that most people tend to think that because one small group of radicals is willing to destroy several buildings, that the religion and those who follow it are somehow violent. It's a gross and uneducated assumption.

American citizens, regardless of religion are protected by the Constitution. There is no 'in their country' because THIS is their country. THIS is where they reside, pay taxes and worship, so it's OUR rules that matter. And OUR rules dictate that there's no right to stop them from building as long as they adhere TO these rules. End of story. Motives be damned.bigdcstile

It seems that most people tend to think that because one small group of radicals is willing to destroy several buildings, that the religion and those who follow it are somehow violent. It's a gross and uneducated assumption.Dark_Knight6

[QUOTE="Dark_Knight6"]It seems that most people tend to think that because one small group of radicals is willing to destroy several buildings, that the religion and those who follow it are somehow violent. It's a gross and uneducated assumption.Hexagon_777

[QUOTE="Hexagon_777"][QUOTE="Dark_Knight6"]It seems that most people tend to think that because one small group of radicals is willing to destroy several buildings, that the religion and those who follow it are somehow violent. It's a gross and uneducated assumption.GazaAli

It's not just that. It's when you see hundreds of people on TV supporting people like Ahmadinejad or burning American flags and the like. When you see large groups of people or even leaders of countries pull that off, you start to worry. You may see it as gross. I see it as human.

Hexagon_777

Those groups of people are still nothing as far as numbers go when you take into consideration that Islam is the second largest religion in the world. A radical few should not bread hate for the vastly larger, normal majority. It's a completely single-minded reaction.

I don't understand where people get the notion that Islam is a peaceful religion from, it was born from an extremely bloody period in history. It's such an archaic religion that doesn't belong in 21st century society.

Sacred Heart Church in Manama - Bahrain.....

there are also - but not limited to

• St. Christophers Cathederal
• The National Evangelical Church
• The Bahrain Malaylee Church of Southern India
• St. Mary's Orthodox Church - Indian Church
• St. Peter's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
• The Mar Thoma Church and St. Paul's Marthoma Church

Dubai Evangelical Church Centre....

in the United Arab Emirates:

• Dubai Evangelical Church Center
• Christ Church Jebel Ali
• United Christian Church of Dubai
• Evangelical Community Church
• St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

in Qatar recently allowed the first church in Qatar called Catholic Church of Our Lady Rosary

it opened in 2008 with help from the Emir, however it was not allowed to put up signs, bells, steeples (though it does have an interesting archetecture design), and no outside cross. Many news sites cought it but rather then focusing on the positive it decided to focus on what was not allowed, despite the fact that a church was even allowed in the first place.

in Kuwait there doesn't seem to be have any churches, though i can find websites of churches (maybe homes retrofitted into churches).

Then we got places in the Middle East that have a long history of having Chrisitans, from Palestine (also Israel now), Syria, Lebanon, to Egypt.

With that said, under constant pressure and with more media access and the effect and pressures of globalization, i do believe things will turn for the better not the worse.

with that said i can say really 2 things.

1. Saudi Arabia - though i do love her dearly - is a horrible example of "well if we can't have a Church in Mecca, they shouldn't be allowed to have a Mosque in ____ (somewhere in America)". Unlike just about any other Arab country where there is - at least by letter of the law - some/a lot of freedom of religion, Saudi bars all out. There - i know of - private homes that act as churches, and in the past (like early 90's) they were raided by the mutawa. as i understand it today there are still private home churches running today, mostly people who are expatriate workers from the West and Indian and Filipinos. Of all countries in the Muslim world people have to pick the most conservative one out there?

2. Even so, with the current social-political climate in the Muslim world, it would be very hard to open up a new Church without somehow getting the protection and consent of the ruling power.

I don't understand where people get the notion that Islam is a peaceful religion from, it was born from an extremely bloody period in history. It's an extremely archaic religion.Good-Apollo

The same could be said about Christianity. Take a moment, leaf through the Bible, and count the violent verses.