Opposition to the minaret in South St. Louis

[oscottscotto]

Life would be much easier if "God" would just reveal himself/itself to the world in a fashion that everyone would see. Until then, we must use the word faith to describe our guessing game and have these mindless human grudges against each other. Unfortunately, I think a revelation of sorts would probably mean the end of the world ... as "God" in my opinion is bigger than any of us can understand and different than what we expect him/it to be. Just thinking of this makes me want to move to the mountains/desert and away from civilization lol.

[aragx6]

There has long been "concern" (to put it nicely) about the Bosnian community (which is the largest in the country by far). I remember when they were first moving here. I think it's wonderful and i wish them all the best. St. Louis has typically been pretty welcoming to them (hence why they've stayed) but there will always be bad apples and the internet really lets them loose sometimes.

[ucfjtm]

Originally Posted by aragx6

there will always be bad apples

In *any* group.

Unfortunately, many of them are young men who feel the need to rebel against society in a violent manner. Were the Columbine killers Muslim? They were from intact two-parent families of Lutheran and Jewish background.

America shouldn't discriminate against those without valid reason from the individuals involved. STL should have no problem with a mosque being built, as long as it doesn't interfere with the lives of residents in the area - no loudspeakers and no calls for jihad. Most Muslims don't want anything to do with terrorism, including those in the Middle East.

This topic is very touchy for those who live or have family in certain European countries, notably France and Sweden. Research Muslim immigration in Malmo, Sweden if you want details. Many Swedes believe they will soon (within the next 30-60 years) be voted out of their own country.

As for the OP stating that they've seen people who "claim" to be Christians but don't act like it, I've met many agnostic/athiest people who consistently behaved MUCH better than many "true" Christians on day to day life and social issues. Rose-colored glasses..

[MissouriLovesCompany]

I live 4 blocks from the minaret and have no issues with it. And if they want a loudspeaker go right ahead, if the catholic church down the block can blare their bell constanly... why can't the muslims (As long as it is during daylight hours that is).

[Orwelleaut]

Originally Posted by stepka

I agree with you STLCardinalfan: I have no problem with it and I wouldn't if it was in my neighborhood either. We went to Turkey and Egypt last year, and people were very kind to us in both countries. The women's rights aren't what I would choose for myself, but I was surprised at how respectful the men were towards their wives. I'd had this misconception that they treated them like mongrel dogs or worse, but was pleasantly surprised. I actually enjoyed hearing the prayers on the loudspeakers--it was very exotic. We are too redneck if we can't tolerate that.

I agree completely. Turkey is a land with a violent crime rate far lower than our country, which is a very violent place. I doubt that the Bosnian immigrants are anything but an asset to the city of St. Louis. Their neighborhood is probably crime free, unlike most of the rest of St. Louis, which is a crime infested sewer. St. Louis is lucky that these immigrants chose to brave life in such a high crime city, and should be thankful for their positive presence, not prejudiced against a group that is turning their city around.

Residents of the St. Louis area should be worried about real problems, like the horribly high violent crime rate of East St. Louis, Ill, and focus on cleaning that city up so that it is not such a scary, gang and drug infested hell hole. Let us bear in mind that most of the residents of the shameful crime infested places like East St. Louis are not Muslim. They are either not religious, or attend fundamental Christian Churches, which seem to do little or nothing to stop the violence. They just get caught up in "don't judge" rhetoric and scold those who try to muster the cahonis to go after the real problem residents. Good people are told to do nothing, so evil, of course, prevails, and good residents live in fear. A little "Allah make my arms strong to slay my enemy" would do wonders, IMHO, for places like East St. Louis. Instead of letting God take care of the drug dealers and thugs, good people taking back their neighborhoods forcefully would, I think, turn things around completely.

[Orwelleaut]

Originally Posted by MissouriLovesCompany

I live 4 blocks from the minaret and have no issues with it. And if they want a loudspeaker go right ahead, if the catholic church down the block can blare their bell constanly... why can't the muslims (As long as it is during daylight hours that is).

That anyone would object to loudspeakers calling residents to prayer is a good example of how ignorant most AMericans are, and gets at why our country has become such a sewer in recent years. People object to a call to prayer by law abiding Muslims, but I'll bet these same people don't have a problem with a most offensice scourge and cancer that affects all of our cities: Gangster Rap Music.

Currently, it is nearly impossible to go anywhere in an American city without some punk forcing his violent, filthy lyrics rap crap with the moronic, pounding bass beat on everyone within a pretty large radius of his car. These stupid delinquent punks want everyone to hear the hate filled lyrics they listen to, and don't have any sense of respect or decency. They think everyone else wants to hear the filth they listen to, so we all know that they are completely hateful wretches. Where is the outcry against this??? This crap is some of the most offensive, disgusting, vile behavior out there short of out and out physical violence. Where is the outcry against this??? Being that some of these wastes of bum wipe rap stars are from St. Louis, I think that St. Louis had better re-align their priorities as far as what they object to. Anyplace that thinks gangster thug culture that glorifies beating women, drug use, and racing by blacks against all other groups is okay has problems.

[SouthCity09]

got to love some of those comments in the first post...these are the same people that make a big deal about how the constitution gives them a right to have a gun and free speech but ignore the freedom of religion