paulry

If there was growing evidence to show that our tolerant approach was working then I would support it.

fish.01

If there was growing evidence that we should abandon our ideals and admit Malaysian extremists had it right all along I would support becoming like them

paulry

Let's hope that the evidence becomes crystal clear before it's too late and we are all forced to adopt the Malaysian extremists ideals. But heyho by then it won't be our problem because we'll be dead and buried - it'll be our children's and our grandchildren's problem

Mr Kilt

It is a tough one but I think it should be down to the people who live in that area to decide who can do what. If they deem it inflammatory, out of place etc then they should have the right to say no.

Just like trying to build an industrial estate in a picture postcard village would be judged on it's merits by local councillors the same should apply here.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Bollocks.

I really can't think of a more suitable response. I'm sure you will use that statement as a reflection of my intellectual capabilities but I thought "bollocks" summed up quite nicely what I thought of your comment.

You'e not related to this guy by any chance?

>Trigger<

I'm all for a mosque at ground zero as long as we can have a water park in Pakistan...

anawanahuanana

So to those who disagree with the plan; if 2 blocks is too close, how about 3? Maybe 4? Or 5? Where do we draw the line? How close is too close? What if there is a mosque already inside the "small-minded man's mosque exclusion zone"? Do we knock it down?

I think perhaps Americans (and anyone else who takes issue with this plan) may benefit from looking a little harder at the reasons behind the 9/11 attacks. I'm pretty sure the USA wasn't targeted solely because it is a predominantly Christian country. It's foreign policy towards the Middle Eastern countries (not including Israel of course, who would never do any wrong....) was more of reason.

*** Disclaimer: I was as appalled as the next man by the 9/11 attacks and have no tolerance for extremism of any type. Do not take this post as tacit approval of 9/11, mosque building locations, U.S foreign policy, the "state" of Israel, Middle Eastern country's attitudes to "The West" or anything else you may like to read into it to justify jumping down my throat. I'd rather you just answered the questions...***

NedKelly

Someone should open a gay bar next door called "You Mecca Me Horny"

snowbunny

There was similar outrage about Japanese folks building Buddhist temples in California post WWII. Today, no one would care.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

How close is too close... Turning your question round.. how about if they wanted to build it ON Ground Zero? Would that be too close for you... or is that fine as well?

iamthecreaturefromuranus

I'll tell them to come back in 50 years then?

Macca67

A complete failure of common sense and respect. No-one is advocating a breach of religious freedom but why decide to build in a spot so close to the worst terrorist act on US soil? Why not move it 20 blocks north where sensitivities will be spared?

snowbunny

I think if avoiding controversy were the MAIN goal, the congregants would do better by choosing a different site. OTOH, not knowing the real estate market and dizzying amounts of regulation put in place by NYC, perhaps this is by far the "best" place for them to build. I don't think anyone could be swayed by that counterargument though.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Exactly. It seems almost designed to wind people.

Those who claim it's being built as a symbol of an Islamic victory might well have a point. Even if its not seem that way by its proponents, it certainly will be by the the extremist side to Islam.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Looking at it from distance, creating controversy seems to be the main goal.