Daily Record- as of 9/27/2007
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Fight over mosque is bigotry in disguise
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:36 am Post subject: Fight over mosque is bigotry in
disguise
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Reader comments and feedback for the Fight over mosque is bigotry in disguise
article by Aref Assaf.
Don Cole Prod
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Posts: 107
Location: Dover, NJ
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:22 pm Post subject:
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I never thought of myself as a ‘bigot.’ However, according to the dictionary
definition of the word, I guess that I am one, (shock) as far as it concerns my
not being tolerant of the Muslim faith and religion that is infiltrating our
country, in the name of their “Prophet Muhammad.” I do enjoy discussing one
another’s faiths and religions, and opinions. I am not a bigot when it comes to
open discussions, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, or in loving one
another. A new place of worship sounds wonderful to me; if Muslims could only
leave their ‘prophet’ and Koran at home. It is not about people. It is about the
Muslim religion itself that is of concern, and threatens our country. It is not
what our country was founded on, or what made our country great. If the Muslim
faith is what Muslims believe; than why are you here? Why not live within the
fruit of your own faith?
When it comes to 9/11, terrorists, and ‘Muslim extremists, and such, all you are
able to offer is, “That’s not us. --We had nothing to do with it!” I say that is
not enough.
Show me your ‘prophet.’ Show me your Koran, and show me that is not you. Who and
what are you worshipping and bowing down to and what are you teaching the
children in this country? You are not able to stand up against ‘Muslim
extremists,’ because you have nothing to stand up with. No ground to stand on.
Having the same faith and beliefs; how can you stand up against it, or defend
yourselves? Just saying, “That wasn’t us,” isn’t enough. To many people in this
country, the core of your faith says otherwise.
I’m sorry; but those quoted words, “It bears witnessing the immortal words of
Prophet Muhammad: ‘A man’s faith is never complete until he wishes for his
neighbor that he desires for himself,’ --leaves me no comfort.
Yes. Much atrocity has gone on in the name of ‘Christianity‘. However; I am able
to stand up against it loud and clear, in the name of Jesus Christ, --all that
He did and taught. With that firm foundation to stand on, I can hold my ground;
to what is true ‘Christianity’ and what is not. It is not good enough, to just
say, “That wasn’t us.” What matters is; who and what you are bowing down to.
Where are you coming from?
_________________
Don Cole
dailydoz
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 8
Location: Denville
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject: Mosque in Rockaway
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Don. That’s the problem; you don't see yourself as a bigot. When you recognize
your failings, you will be in a better position to see the truth. Bigots, like
drunks, only when it is too late that they accept their sickness and seek
salvation. Regardless of what you think of Islam, your views have no bearing on
Muslim citizens’ right to pray and congregate as they wish. Otherwise, we need
to rewrite the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. When the Mosque is built, I
hope you will overcome your fear and prejudice and visit it to talk to its
congregants and leaders. Until then, find yourself another toy to choke on.
Mr. Assaf's brilliant piece hurts cowardly people like you. Come out of the
closet, Don.
KSMoCo
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 254
Location: Morris County
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:17 pm Post subject:
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Bigotry is based on unfounded fear.
Our fear of extremist Muslims is founded.
Don Cole Prod
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Posts: 107
Location: Dover, NJ
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:17 pm Post subject:
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dailydoz,
I'm not here tp put down anyone's character, show disrespect, or indulge in name
calling.
I entirely agree with you, and never meant otherwise, "that regardless of what I
think about Islam, my view has no bearing on Muslim citizens' right to pray and
congregate as they wish. Otherwise, we need to rerwrite the Constitution and the
Bill of Rights." Yes. That is the American way. However; bear in mind that this
is not allowed in the Muslim faith, where ultimately there is no separation of
church and State. Can't people see the contradictions?
It is strange; dailydoz, how you start out with a hopeful invitation to me, and
then end it with character insults.
Muslims take their religion very seriously; and in comparison, most Americans do
not. That is the problem. We had better wake up, and study what Muslims believe.
Muslims will act on their faith; while the rest of us sleep on ours. Wake up,
dailydoz.
Children in our schools are taught atheism as truth. Many of us carry the
mentality that Islam is just another religion; and anyone with a smile on their
face claiming to be about God, can just walk right in. To the unwatchful; Islam
is just another religion, and who takes 'religion' seriously any more?
Muslims take their religion and faith very seriously; and that is where their
ultimate loyality abides.
In light of all the atrocities going on in the world in the name of Islam; is it
not a bit wise to question this religion, it's beliefs, motives and aims? In the
process; we will be forced to take a good look at our own faith. And for the
sake of all, and peace in the world, --this is a good thing. God is real; and we
will bear the consequences of our faith, or unbelief, be it love of money,
apathy, or whatever.
I still believe in the Bible, the word of God, and in the Bible New Testament,
-- in Jesus Christ, my Saviour! I believe that this is what our country was
founded on, and thank God; we still believe in. And that is the only reason that
our country has been so successful. History shows that a nation or person who
turns their back on the only one and true God, will fall.
Pray for truth, God loves us all...
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dailydoz
Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Posts: 8
Location: Denville
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:27 am Post subject: Ok Don is a hypocrite
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Don, I have followed your posts on this topic. I respect your right to express
your views however disagreeable they are to mine. It is not my intent to engage
you in ideological/doctrinal skirmishes for this would be most futile. Again,
the issue is whether American citizens have the right to worship. Period.
Muslims who are American citizens have every right to a place in which they can
conduct their religious services. Thank God for the Daily Record for they are
allowing us to read the views from the Muslim side. Read the article again,
Muslims will be here long after the mosque plans are either turned down or
approved. I should probably stop here because this is the real issue. But it
would callous of me if I do not argue with you on other matters you constantly
raise.
You misconstrue the unique relationship between religion and politics within an
Islamic setting. I am not well entrenched in Islamic theological interpretations
but admittedly there exits authoritarian inclinations in Islamic law. (Same is
with Judaism and Christianity) But I will argue that Islam actually does not
encourage theocratic rule. I would argue that the transcendence of God Allah
precludes identifying him with any one type of political regime. Therefore it is
blasphemous for any one man to imitate the divine mode of rulership by
arrogating to himself all political power within a community. To put it another
way, if all power is located in Allah, then human institutions must disperse
power among many parts to avoid pretending to be God. Moderate Muslims need to
explore this notion and. I believe by viewing the divine imperative in this
fashion, one can expect a devolved, diversified system of liberal governance
within the core tenets of the faith itself. Islamic democracy is not an
oxymoron. Democratizing a Muslim state cannot be accomplished by a carpeted
bombing either or more Starbucks for that matter. It is only through this
sketching of an Islamic theology of politics that we can influence future
framers of constitutional documents for Muslim states; at the very least, it
challenges defeatists and tempers idealists about the possibilities and
difficulties of pairing democracy with Islam.
Their is nothing wrong with taking Islam on the road with us. It is the best of
guides to dealing with others and with God. You show your fear of Islam. Is this
fear because you are not as well grounded in you own faith. A great sense of
inferiority is engulfing you because you want Muslims to live their lives like
you.: leaving their religion at home. I bet you cheat on your taxes!. That's the
problem with you. Religion is an every day act or thought and not a weekend
service or cleanse it all confession. Just imagine how better off we would be if
all of us were guiding in their daily lives by the commandment and tenant of
their respective faith.
I know we may disagree on our perception of the different faiths I sense that
you like extremist Muslims see one's religions salvation is possible only
through your chosen faith. To you determent, such a is the best example of
bigotry, it is the antithesis of love and compassion.
Bu the core imperative is our right to pray and this shall prevail. It is not
which religion deserve to have a place of worship. Unless you announce to the
world that Don Cole is a hypocrite, you must not hesitate to support our right.
If you are not a bigot, then are at a hypocrite?
Don Cole Prod
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Posts: 107
Location: Dover, NJ
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject:
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Dailydoz,
I am disappointed to read that it is not your intent to engage in ideological
/doctrinal skirmishes. I do not agree with you, that this would be most futile.
To the contrary, I believe that this is exactly what the world should be doing!
Skirmishing and communicating; sorting out truth from the lies.
Have you really been following my postings? Have you been actually reading them?
“Truth, --not bombs!” and “Global heart-Warming!” That is what I have been
advocating. And where did I ever contend that Muslim citizens in this country do
not have a legal right to worship as they choose, or to set up Mosques?
I do not fear Islam. Jesus Christ has already won the battle.
I am concerned about lost souls; as all Christians should be, about loving their
neighbors.
And where did you get the idea that my faith is a ‘week end service‘? Am I not
practicing my faith at this very moment? Every hour of the days and nights?
Check the times and dates and volumes of my postings.
Do you think full time worship is something unique to Muslims?
You can bow down eleventy-eleven times a day or go through as many religious
rituals to Allah as your elders teach you; but if you are not worshipping the
one true God, and worshipping Him in the way He commanded; then it is all in
vain. People need to study and compare the various faiths, not to choose a
faith, but to find out which one is right, and then be able to witness to it to
others. That is the ‘Christian’ way; which is --truth, not bombs!
I don’t get It., --why are you calling me a ‘hypocrite'? And why in heaven’s
name would you “bet that I cheat on my taxes?” Are you one of those who judge
others, by what they themselves are guilty of? Jesus said to give unto Caesar
what is Caesar’s, and to give unto God what is God’s. He taught/teaches us not
to bear false witness; and that the love of money is the root of all evil. But
even so; I do not deny that Christ’s church is full of sinners and hypocrites.
We all fall short. Think of it as a hospital. God is still working on us all.
Jesus Christ is the good doctor. He gives us life; the opportunity to follow
Him, to be born again, life anew, to go from the corruptible to the
incorruptible.
Jesus never forced, nor implied that anyone else should force anyone to love or
follow Him. We are not even forced to love one another. Our love is our worship.
Jesus said that He is the truth and the light, and the way. None can see God,
but through Jesus. No other name in which a person might be saved. The evidence
bears out that Jesus Christ is who He said He is. Jesus Christ was/is not a liar
and a deceiver, as the Koran makes Him out to be.
Dailydoz; it seems like you are desperate to call me something, “If not a
‘bigot,’ than a ‘hypocrite.’ ?
How about ‘Christian‘ ? In your eyes, --isn’t that bad enough?
_________________
Don Cole
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