Thread: Answering Mayor Bloomberg's Question

So I heard the snippets of it today, but found a site with the entire thing in full, and thought it was a great speech on the Mosque issue. But this thread, isn't so much about the speech (and I'm sure some here would call it idiotic, etc.) but more a question asked in the speech itself.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/36400723/B...s-Iftar-Dinner

“Now I understand the impulse to find another location for the mosque and community
center. I understand the pain of those who are motivated by loss too terrible to contemplate. And
there are people of every faith – including, perhaps, some in this room – who are hoping that a
compromise will end the debate.

“But it won’t. The question will then become, how big should the ‘no-mosque zone’ be around the World Trade Center site? There is already a mosque four blocks away. Should it be moved?

I added the first bit, which if you catch the soundbites you'll likely hear, as a bit of the context to the questions. I thought it was a good question and figured, especially since we had quite a few people here against it, I would asked TPG. So, there is the main question, how far away should a Mosque have to be from the World Trade Center site?

And, if you wish, you can answer the second, should the current mosque near there be moved?



(note: I highly recommend reading the whole speech, though it isn't required reading to be able to answer the questions)

They have the right to build wherever they wish according to whatever zoning laws are in effect. If they're seriously about breaking down walls between cultures then they will acknowledge that their noble goal may be set back by their current building location. For the second, No. The other mosque should not be moved. IMO The new community center should be built no closer than the current mosque, out of respect. I know their no legal standing for that reccomendation but it would greatly help their cross cultural goal, if that is actually a true objective.

Originally Posted by Highstakes72

They have the right to build wherever they wish according to whatever zoning laws are in effect. If they're seriously about breaking down walls between cultures then they will acknowledge that their noble goal may be set back by their current building location. For the second, No. The other mosque should not be moved. IMO The new community center should be built no closer than the current mosque, out of respect. I know their no legal standing for that reccomendation but it would greatly help their cross cultural goal, if that is actually a true objective.

As long as all other places of worship also respect the 4 block no build zone that the community center is being asked to respect, I would be in agreement.

Originally Posted by Highstakes72

They have the right to build wherever they wish according to whatever zoning laws are in effect. If they're seriously about breaking down walls between cultures then they will acknowledge that their noble goal may be set back by their current building location. For the second, No. The other mosque should not be moved. IMO The new community center should be built no closer than the current mosque, out of respect. I know their no legal standing for that reccomendation but it would greatly help their cross cultural goal, if that is actually a true objective.

i agree but i think the community centers current (or former?) planned location was fine... i wouldn't mind if they made it closer but in some way i would hope that they wouldn't for the same reason as highstakes (but i don't think they would want to build closer anyway)