Muslims Compared to 19th Century Catholics

Here's an interesting take on the whole ground zero mosque controversy. The author of this article compares the reaction to the ground zero mosque to the reaction Catholics received in the 19th century and says the protests against the mosque are another example of Americans historical distrust of new immigrant populations.

Anti-Catholicism of another era?
New York mosque controversy echoes historic cycle of distrust of immigrants and their faith.

The controversy over plans to build an Islamic cultural center and mosque a couple of blocks away from ground zero in New York is but the latest manifestation of a historic cycle of distrust of immigrants --- and their faith.

At its core, the mosque furor is not unlike what Catholics experienced in the United States for more than 100 years, according to Georgetown University theology professor Chester Gillis. While there are a wide range of political, philosophical and even zoning arguments about the Islamic center plans, Gillis sees anti-Muslim sentiment --- based in misconceptions and xenophobia --- at the core of the debate.

"The neophytes in society are always on the outside," Gillis said. "With Catholics, people feared they would have loyalty to a foreign power, the Holy See." With Muslims, he added, people fear a possible connection to an Islamic government or to a terrorist organization.

Read more: Tidings


Is the movement against the mosque near the WTC site just another expression of American xenophobia, or is there something more to it?

[edit on 8/31/10 by FortAnthem]

Xenophobia? Rubbish. This country is full of immigrants. Hispanics are the largest ethnicity in the nation now.

The unreasonable attitude of alot of Americans today is because we are at war with two nations full of Muslims, fighting Muslim enemies perpetrating heinous acts of wanton murder. It's not an excuse, it's an explanation.

reply to post by Gainsayer


We are at war with terrorists, not everyone in these countries. We aren't at war with every single person in the middle east nor are we at war with Islam. I think that some people in this country have forgotten that part. (actually blatantly ignores that part)

We aren't at war with Islam, we are at war with people who want to blow other people up along with themselves, we are at war with people who would fly planes into buildings, we are at war with people who have a 16th century version of the world they want to live in. (incidentally these people are not all that different from modern conservatives)

Originally posted by whatukno
reply to post by Gainsayer

 

We are at war with terrorists, not everyone in these countries.

We aren't at war with every single person in the middle east nor are we at war with Islam. I think that some people in this country have forgotten that part. (actually blatantly ignores that part)

We aren't at war with Islam, we are at war with people who want to blow other people up along with themselves, we are at war with people who would fly planes into buildings, we are at war with people who have a 16th century version of the world they want to live in. (incidentally these people are not all that different from modern conservatives)

Congratulations, whilst rolling your eyes you completely failed to read my post.

There is something more to it.

It's called thelema.

It's Mystery Babylon Religion. They view both muslims and christians as slave religions and they meet at the US Grand Lodge in DC.