This is a very touchy subject, but it should be up here. The Islamic Center plan for south Naperville is controversial. Just why are some neighbors against it?
The county has spoken on the rules for locating religious establishments.
Why is locating a new church, mosque or other place of worship suddenly so controversial?
Plenty of people speak against them. Anyone going to speak in favor?
Freedom of religion?
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Anonymous,
I take it you have the same criticism of Catholic and other Christian denominations that have facilities dedicated for the worship practices of the faithful, and schools for instructing the young in the faith?
-JQP
Lets see, Catholics have CCD, so they "educate its' children apart from our community."
Every protestant church has a Sunday school program so they must do this also.
People of Greek and Chinese descent often send their kids to Greek school or Cinese school on the weekends.
Every mainstream religion I know of feel that they are right and others are wrong. Isn't that feigned superiority?
We are talking about religious education here. Every religion does this for their children. This is not any different from other mainstream religions.
"... to convince Napervillians they deserve a cultural center of their own. Today, I am not convinced they do."
Seems you are dealing with your own issues of superiority.
Freedom of religion as an American value was established as an outgrowth of Puritan terrorism! As a nation, we've moved away from the separatist movement of early Pilgrims and pride ourselves in accepting diversity and inclusiveness.
The proposed Islamic Center, as I understand it, is in no way consistent with these American values. It seeks to establish itself, and remain apart, from our community. It also proposes to educate its' children apart from our community because the Islamists adherents usually believe themselves to be superior to Naperville citizens.
These actions do not show an acceptance of America as their adopted homeland. They do no show a willingness to be an integral part of the fabric that makes up Naperville. They speak only to exclusivity, apartness, feigned superiority - and a desire to keep it that way.
Timing is all crucial here. Americans are not yet ready to trust Islamists 100% as the Islamits do not want to lose their identity and become 100% American. A couple of more decades of their exemplar citizenship will do wonders to convince Napervillians they deserve a cultural center of their own. Today, I am not convinced they do.
Most true Americans respect religious freedom for all. Sadly there are some, mostly fundamental Christians, who do not want to allow any room at the table of religious beliefs for non-Christians or non-believers.
Traditionally America has fought wars against other nations, not wars against other religions. People are still finding their way in terms of how to respect religious freedom when the enemy is a religion and when the enemy may make a mockery of the foundation of our religious freedom and use it as a basis to wage a war against us. The American military has taken great pains during past wars to avoid attacking hospitals, churches, museums, etc. and instead focused on the enemy's military-industrial capabilities. Americans do not want to attach an Islamic house of worship yet we know these are the very places around the world where Islamic extremists are
gathering to spread their hate, recruit new members, organize themselves, and plan terrorist operations.
What most Americans are wary about with Islam is not being able to know or trust what goes on inside an Islamic house of worship or being able to know who are the good guys and who are the bad guys when it comes to the fundamental Islamic terrorists who are waging a global religious war against all other religions, not just Christians.
There once was a time when houses of worship were respected and unquestioned in America. Thanks to the fundamental Islamic terrorist, Americans are rightfully concerned and nervous about a house of worship being built in their own backyard that might be used as a platform to spread hatred and launch terrorism in their own community or elsewhere in America.
Thanks to the fundamental Islamic terrorists the seeds of fear and distrust have been spread on a global scale. This is really an Islamic problem to solve. If Islamic people are truly peaceful and want to live in harmony with other people and other religions throughout the world then they need to ban together, get rid of the extremists within their ranks, and start demonstrating to the entire world that Islam will be practiced as a peace loving religion.
Islam is a religion, not a race. There are adherents to Islam of all races.
If Muslims come from every ethnic background, what race is Islam?
Of course, to SES every schism can only be caused by racism!
Given the original opposition by those same neighbors to the prior attempt to build, and given the absolutely dismal state of the housing market including here in wonderful Naperville, and given the current state of the world vis a vis the rationale fear of Islamic fundamentalism ........ I believe that although racism can add to any situation the driving motivator on this one is at least as weighted toward property values and general feelings of security.
I do agree with SES that freedom of religion is a stalwart of the U.S.
I only wish more felt that way when they try to hijack the 1st amendment and twist it into freedom FROM religion, resulting in stupid stuff like kids cant wear a cross to shool, etc.
I am delighted to speak in favor.
Plainly and simply, Opposition to this project is all based on racism and/or fear of property values being affected ( because of racism ).
ICN has been in the facility on Olesen Rd since the early 1990's. Twenty Years they have been good citizens of Naperville.
Freedom of Religion is in the 1st amendment. It is one of the foundations of our country.
Be an American and support religious tolerance.