By: Formalogia on 6/27/10
"Islamic center plans open house"
Is it an 'Islamic center' or an 'Islamic community center,' as cited in June 20th's Sunday edition, or can we just call it what it is? A Muslim Mosque.
Would you Muslims oppose a Jewish Community Center? No, you say? Maybe not in Middle TN but what if it was being proposed in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia? Or Tehran? You'd scream bloody shiria.
Let us keep our prospective. This is America, a country founded on Judeo/Christian beliefs and, yes, we are tolerant of other religions- but this Mosque is a direct and intentional placement of what will become a shiria stronghold in the heart of Tennessee, almost on the very geographical center of our state. That didn't happen by coincidence.
Muslims don’t want to set up a peaceful presence in Murfreesboro; they want to found the beginning of the downfall of the United States and its way of life, its belief system and very essence here.

By: proudatheist on 6/28/10
This is a response to Formalogia.

>> …or can we just call it what it is? A Muslim Mosque.

Sure we can. Just like we can call Bell Aire Baptist or World Outreach Church or any of the other (quite frankly huge) compounds owned by similar organizations Christian Churches.

>> Maybe not in Middle TN but what if it was being proposed in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia? Or Tehran? You'd scream bloody shiria.

First of all, it's spelled Sharia (or, occasionally, Shariah) when transliterated. Since you mention Dharan and Tehran, let's do some research, shall we?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran#Churches
Yes! That's a LIST OF CHURCHES IN TEHRAN!
You know what else? Here's a list of churches near Dhahran, too. (Long URL shortened - link forwards to Google Maps) http://bit.ly/czDCYF

Of course, it's pretty unfair on both sides to compare what happens in Saudi Arabia or Iran to the US, anyway. Both countries are theocracies and the US is not. Which brings me to my next point:

>> This is America, a country founded on Judeo/Christian beliefs

Well actually, no. The laws in the US were based on English common law. Furthermore, when this comes up, I like to refer people to the Treaty of Tripoli, specifically article 11 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Tripoli#Article_11). It states in part: "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion,—as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen…"

Not only did this treaty get ratified in the US, it was ratified unanimously and without any recorded public dissent.

>> this Mosque is a direct and intentional placement of what will become a shiria stronghold in the heart of Tennessee, almost on the very geographical center of our state. That didn't happen by coincidence.

Perhaps you should learn a bit more about what Sharia law is before you start on wild conspiracy theories. Here are a few basic facts to help you along:
1) In the US, Sharia law has no legal standing. A Sharia court does not and cannot have force of law.
2) Sharia law actually has some redeeming qualities in its own way. The one I will share is that it has what is known as a poor tax. Muslims under Sharia law are taxed according to their wealth (not their income), and that money is given to the poor. This particular part of Sharia law is one of the earliest laws that helped (rather than screwing over) the poor.

Furthermore, the website for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro mentions Sharia law precisely once as far as I can tell, and that is in the context of what to wear when visiting a grave site. (http://www.google.com/search?q=site:icmtn.org+Sharia)

>> Muslims don’t want to set up a peaceful presence in Murfreesboro

Actually, from the sound of it that's precisely what they want to do.

>> they want to found the beginning of the downfall of the United States and its way of life, its belief system and very essence here.

…right. That's why they started in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Well, except for the other one thousand, two hundred and nine (according to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_the_United_States#Demographics).
I'm sure it has nothing to do with Murfreesboro's Muslim population simply growing to the size where they have enough families to warrant their own mosque rather than having to travel to Nashville.

I'll let you in on a little secret: Murfreesboro's Muslim community isn't going anywhere. They are teachers, scientists, students, engineers and businesspeople just like the rest of the people Murfreesboro. You probably know some of them. They're not a scary outgroup like you may think.

By: vdanr on 6/28/10
Proudatheist really suits you as a name! It bothers me everyone starts going haywire when a Christian expresses his/her beliefs. But, we aren't supposed to say anything when others express theirs.

BTW genious, wikipedia is not accurate so find yourself another reference.!!

By: proudatheist on 6/28/10
>> It bothers me everyone starts going haywire when a Christian expresses his/her beliefs.
What bothers me is that you assume I wouldn't me making the same responses if the same closed-minded and ignorant views came from a non-Christian.

>> But, we aren't supposed to say anything when others express theirs.

It's called free speech. It's in the first amendment to the US constitution. Formalgia can make hateful statements, and I can correct them. You, of course, are welcome to respond. I have no problem with this, provided everyone keeps civil.

>> BTW genious, wikipedia is not accurate so find yourself another reference.!!

I have three problems with this sentence.
1) It's spelled genius.
2) Those exclamation points are redundant.
3) Wikipedia is, overall, actually very accurate.
http://news.cnet.com/Study-Wikipedia-as-accurate-as-Britannica/2100-1038_3-5997332.html

Regarding my citation of Wikipedia: I have included articles backing up what Wikipedia stated (most of which are references in the Wikipedia articles).

Regarding the fact that there are churches in Tehran:
http://bit.ly/bLtXCb (links to Google Maps)
http://www.farsinet.com/icc/iran.html
http://www.google.com/search?q=Tehran+churches

Statements about the Treaty of Tripoli: http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/i7500.html
http://www.thenation.com/article/our-godless-constitution
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/bar1796t.asp

1209 mosques in the USA: http://www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris/aris_part_two.htm

I will continue to use Wikipedia for non-controversial items such as these, because it has a tendency (one which most English teachers find quite infuriating) to be correct.

By: Justus on 6/28/10
Formalogia, religious freedom means religious freedom, not religious freedom that you are comfortable with, but all religion. If you have proof of the evil intent of the Muslims in the center then turn it over to the proper authorities. Until then, stick to the facts and not your imagination.

By: ItsGood on 6/29/10
Someone explain the legality of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smw9QuH1xkA&feature=player_embedded#!

If you have questions about the legality of preventing Christians from distributing copies of the Gospel on a public street, you may contact the Dearborn, MI Police Department at 313.943.2240.

By: devolver on 6/29/10
First off, Bravo proudatheist! Bravo.

and, ItsGood, the men weren't arrested. They also volunteered to hand over cell phones and the camera. Not knowing all of the facts in regards to the video, I would say that its likely it was a permit issue. The festival organizers had a permit, the trolling scripture distributors did not.

You'll find that you can't just plop yourself down where it pleases you and do/say what you want because you're "in public" or "on public property".

By: Nikter on 6/29/10
Ya know I continuously see people preaching to the Mosque dissenters about "religious freedom" and how un-american and un-constitutional they are being. Constant attacks on members of the community because they are being outspoken about there fears and desires to have this Mosque not be built.

It's funny because not only are the dissenters not being "un-american" and "un-constitutional" but the critics of these critics could be seen as being just as un-constitutional.

By: proudatheist on 7/2/10
> Constant attacks on members of the community because they are being outspoken about there fears and desires to have this Mosque not be built.

1) http://27.media.tumblr.com/GaVXuimV0mb5c2j4AHPFHAivo1_400.png
2) Really? The only attacks I've seen are on the ISM and its supporters.

> It's funny because not only are the dissenters not being "un-american" and "un-constitutional" but the critics of these critics could be seen as being just as un-constitutional.

This makes no sense. Also, American is capitalised.

By: Sentinel on 7/5/10
A very wise woman once said: There is karma for stupidity.

We can ignore what we know about Sharia law, and that is, anyone who is not a fundamental Muslim, is an infidel. Sharia encourages the eradication of all infidels. So what if it means they get the chair? They still get rid of anyone who doesn't conform. I don't recall that doctrine in the Baptist church.

Has anyone done a background check on the imam of the Murfreesboro mosque? I would have thought that the planning department could have at least done that.

What we really need to do is get rid of the members of the planning department, after an investigation to see if any of them were bribed by the imam. Not one of the members gave consideration to the community that pays their salaries!

Our constitution doesn't demand that we stick our heads in the sand.