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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Weighing in

A weekly look at reader comments and reactions to the news

The uproar over plans to build a mosque near ground zero in New York City has reached well into the Inland Northwest, where readers sparred over news coverage of a clash that pits America’s commitment to religious freedom against its unhealed emotional wounds of Sept. 11. Find complete coverage and the full reader debate at www.spokesman.com.

Nomore: In the name of Allah they attacked our country, killed our brothers and sisters and now want to build with our blessings. The name of the proposed mosque in NY near ground zero is that of a 8th century mosque after taking over a country and claiming victory. They rained hell on our country and deserve NOTHING. They rain hell on every country and want people to live in fear. Fear is the root of all evil and Muslims are showing they want to provoke fear.

Diana: Islam did not attack the World Trade Center, a handful of radical extremists did so in the name of Islam. Nomore, want to talk about the hell rained on millions of innocent people in the name of Christianity? Shouldn’t all Christians be held accountable, as you suggest all Muslims should be, as well?

force_vector: While Islam didn’t attack the WTC, I very clearly remember followers of Islam around the world, including here in the USA, celebrating as the towers fell. It was documented on video and very easy to look up and view today. That is not to say that all followers of Islam celebrated, as many did not. However, it would be naive to say that radical Islam has but a handful of followers. … Make a wounded veterans center, or something along those lines. A mosque there just seems to be in very bad taste.

Spokanada: And the racists come out to comment. I don’t think they are really prepared to end religious freedoms in the USA. These are the same people that think there is a war against Christmas yet they want to discriminate against Islam.

Scoutster: Mosques don’t kill people … people kill people.

Thayne: During the Spanish Inquisition people had molten lead poured down their throats to prevent them from speaking out against the Catholic Church. After the Salem witch trials, 20 people were hanged or buried under heavy rocks (until dead) because they “communed with the devil.” The people doing the killing were “Christians.” Almost all religions – Christian, Muslim and others – have done severe damage to society over the eons. I’ll take honest people who do the right thing because it’s right over “religious” zealots of any faith who twist the words of their “bible” to get away with murder and mayhem.