In Southern California, a Very Local Mosque Dispute

[Douglas Carpenter]

In Southern California, a Very Local Mosque Dispute

Kevin O'Leary Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010


A rendering of the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley's new mosque


In Southern California, the question is whether the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley should be granted a permit to build a mosque on land it owns next to two established churches. The Islamic Center presently holds prayer services in a warehouse next to a pipeline company, down the street from a smog-test station and masonry supply yard. And during Friday prayers on July 30, around 25 local conservative activists stood outside shouting slogans of hate through a bullhorn, carrying signs with messages such as "No More Mosques in America", and brought along several dogs, hoping to offend Muslim sensibilities.

"We've never had a problem with anybody before this," said Iman Mahmoud Harmoush, the Center's spiritual leader and a lecturer at California State University, San Bernardino. "It is common sense that you don't disrupt a religious service by creating noise and bringing dogs."

snip:


Pastor Bill Rench, whose Calvary Baptist Church sits just across the cul de sac from the mosque site, says Islam and Christianity are like "oil and water" and that Islam is "intolerant at its core". He argues that when Islam becomes dominant in a society, "you also see a repression of freedom of speech and religious expression. In my view, building a mosque in Temecula would act as a magnet. It would embolden the more aggressive acting on the beliefs." In an interview with TIME, Rench accused the Imam of refusing to disavow Islamic terrorism. Harmoush says this is patently untrue. "Unconditionally, I have explained to him (Rench) and others, that I disagree and condemn all sorts of violence by the mentioned organizations," Harmoush explained. On Tuesday, Rench and Harmoush squared off on CNN in an interview conducted by John King. They did not bridge their differences

snip:

Antagonism towards Islam in Temecula breaks largely on generational lines. At a small well-manicured park near the churches and proposed mosque, a group of young adults playing basketball tended to shrug off the controversy. Finishing a jump shot, Dante Paez, a 29-year-old African American, said, "I am not religious, but it seems something like that should never be wrong. I say build it." Paul Lopez, 34, added, "Why are people mad about something that brings joy to people. To each his own." Brianna Bowers, 16, has Muslim friends and said there had been discussions about the controversy at school and at her home. She says her Muslim friends observe that there are dozens of churches in town and wonder what is wrong with building one mosque. Bowers, who is African-American and Latino, says, "I think it would broaden the culture in Temecula

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2012134,00.html#ixzz0xKO9Dx00

[glowing]

1. All the rublicons have are fearful old white people they keep conning.

[Kerrytravelers]

2. I wonder if the Christian pastors are expected to disavow McVeigh and other Christian terrorists?

Hmmm... I seriously doubt it.


And does anyone else see the irony of the Christian claiming that Islam bring about repression of freedoms... and yet, it is the Christians who are yelling, screaming, protesting and bringing dogs to keep the Mosque out?


These people are nuts.

[SnakeEyes]

4. The few times an abortion doctor is killed... they do

And McVeigh wasn't a Christian. At best he was agnostic for much of his life. He told Gore Vidal he was an atheist. He was an anti-government extremist.

Now I don't believe most Muslims and Islam are a threat to the US and our freedoms so I don't agree with these people. However, I disagree with your line of reasoning. If the KKK/racist skinheads/white supremacists/neo nazis were actually growing and appeared to one day have the numbers to make a difference in our politics (as Islam could because of their birth rate and immigration) wouldn't you yell, scream, and protest? I know I would.

People have a right to religious freedom but others have a right to voice their objection to your religion and how you exercise that right.

Not that I'm equating the two but both are considered protected religions so on principal the argument is the same... if this were a Scientology center, would you support protesting it?

[burnsei sensei]

7. Now Scott Roeder definitely killed for Christ.

The man has enough presumption to think he isn't going to hell and that he does not deserve prison.
There's a real criminal zealot for you.

[Kerrytravelers]

8. I could care less what religion builds their centers where.

I don't attend any of them. You would never find me protesting people's right to freedom of or from religion.

No one said they didn't have the right to protest. They can all they'd like. And I can shake my head at them, too.

As far as yelling and screaming because someone else may become the majority? How do you know what I am? :shrug:

[SnakeEyes]

10. So you do care?

[Chulanowa]

11. Take just a moment here...

"If the KKK/racist skinheads/white supremacists/neo nazis were actually growing and appeared to one day have the numbers to make a difference in our politics"

Isn't that exactly the sort of thing being described by the article?

[burnsei sensei]

6. Timothy McVeigh was not a Christian, nor

did he do his terrorist act in the name of Christianity.

[Kerrytravelers]

9. He went back and forth on his religion.

http://www.nndb.com/people/936/000031843/

And, no, his bombing wasn't in the name of Christ, however, his readings and his associations are often associated with those on the extreme right of Christianity. And while he shouldn't represent all those on the right and those associated with those movements, by that same token, all Muslims shouldn't be representatives of the extreme Muslims and those who act in the name of Islam.

I should have been far more clear in my previous post. I had tv on and was half paying attention when I posted. :hi:

[burnsei sensei]

12. He admitted that he killed out of sheer hatred.

And I think he also believed he was going to hell, whether there was a God or not.
This world, for him, was just a small step from hell any way.
And maybe that's what makes people into terrorists-- poverty and the prospect of no future except in a fight.

[Angry Dragon]

3. "intolerant at its core"

Perhaps these people need to look in the mirror

I can think of many christian churches that have no tolerance.

More to say but I am afraid to use the words that need to be said

[SnakeEyes]

5. Religion groups contain intolerance

But we can't paint all with one brush. The Imam behind this can't be held responsible for what some Imam in Saudi Arabia says or does. Likewise one Christian can't be held responsible for another Christian's church.

Yes, I believe this is a case of intolerance but I wanted to make the point anyway. I'm chatty today.