Don't Let The Bullies Gain Steam
A basic tenant of what we stand for here in the US, and preferably around the world, is Freedom of Religion. Well it's time to speak out for a Muslim Group. A Muslim Group that is facing problems in their city, Sidney, New York, for having a cemetery on it's property. It is in fact an approved cemetery. The city is trying to force the cemetery to dig up the bodies and move them to the city cemetery. Why? No specific laws in the city have been broken, the city approved the cemetery, well... they just want to. Bob McCarthy can't even articulate it, "...they just came in and buried the bodies, and didn't go through...there's no funding there, it's not a standard kind of deal, and it's going to become a liability to the town." What's wrong Bob, they light of day scrambling your brain? Is there a funding law? What's the standard deal? Does someone "get" something for it?
Keith Olberman spoke about it last night and called Bob McCarthy his Worst Person. Link (sorry the embed wasn't working for me)
We have to stand up for the Muslims as well. We cannot allow Islamophobia to be a driver of any laws or rules against religious freedom. When the religious freedom of one group can be infringed, the freedom of the next can be infringed as well. We may have to speak up on this issue and crush it before it gets rolling. We've seen what reactionaries can do when they get the ball rolling. The Community Center issue in New York is a debacle for no reason other than rhetoric. We can't allow any group to stifle the next out of fear or religion.
The Huffington Post has a more complete article on this. Reddit is getting a name for doing stuff and getting together last minute charities. There is a land purchase solution that may cost $200,000 and cut off any potential action by the government. How loudly would it speak if Atheists were to donate to the cause of religious freedom of Muslims? I'll post any charity links that may be taking this on. The rest of you that can, should be getting the word out about this on other outlets. If we don't face down the radicals sooner rather than later, they will gain steam on us as well. Stand for the Religious Freedom of others and protect it for us all.
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Comment by Gaytor on September 28, 2010 at 5:15pm
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Comment by Jon Heim on September 28, 2010 at 5:26pm -
we really do need to take a stand against intolerance against other beliefs, even if we don't have religious beliefs of our own.
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Comment by Matt Coulthurst on September 28, 2010 at 6:57pm -
Do you think this would even be an issue if the cemetery was Jewish (for example)? Or any other non-muslim faith?
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Comment by Gaytor on September 28, 2010 at 7:04pm
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The devil is in the details of the Huffington Post article. "Another email, from McCarthy to a third party, discussed telephone calls from someone claiming Tea Party affiliation who "...wanted to know how he could help with 'the Muslims.'" In that email, McCarthy says "all outward signs...indicate this is a for profit venture and should not receive any of the benefits afforded to a religion."
It seems clearly targeted to me. The only question that I would want to ask is about Huffington's source.
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Comment by Fancy Nancy on September 29, 2010 at 2:21pm
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I agree with John Heim of course.
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