What are your thoughts on the idea of a mosque being built near the site of Ground Zero?
Interviews by Jermar Perry, Photos by Natalie Kellem
“I think it’s a good image to show how very equal the country is and a lot of Muslims died during those attacks, put on by criminals.”
Frank Bruckner,
15th Street and West Passyunk Avenue
“My opinion is that I’m for it. I think it’s a great idea. Nobody should be judged on their religion. It’s America ain’t it?”
Sandra Stinnett,
21st and Dickinson Street
“If we can practice Christianity, why can’t we practice Islam?”
Winona Wesley,
22nd and Mifflin streets
“I don’t think they should. They should leave it alone and build a memorial. It’s disrespectful.”
Kristin Rinick,
Broad and Shunk streets
Article:
January warmth
Article:
Honoring Joe Paterno
Article:
Addressing the violence on the streets
Article:
Improving South Philly
Article:
2012 event
Article:
2012 hopes and expectations
Article:
Holiday celebration
Article:
NBA return
1. Ed said... on Aug 19, 2010 at 07:23AM
“Everyone should keep in mind that we have freedom of religion and it is in the." Bill of Rights" within the U. S. Constitution. Nowhere within the "Bill of Rights" is "Freedom of Religion" promised only to Judeo - Christian religions.”
2. Mike said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 09:59AM
“The issue here is not freedom to practice one’s religion, it is the building of a mosque near the site of ground zero. I find it very disrespectfull to the memory of all those who lost their lives on that day. Do we not remember that the scum terosist that killed all those people did it in the name of Islam?”
3. Dan said... on Aug 20, 2010 at 03:17PM
“"They" did it so that they could show we are vulnerable. They did it to show the world that our nation's commitment to freedom, multiculturalism, equality and tolerance could be toppled with one brutal attack... to show that from our vantage point of being safely far away from the poverty, war and death of their countries we could preach all of these things but that as soon as the violence reached us, we would be just as intolerant as they and their governments. They did it so that 10 years later, our nation, whose First Amendment was more progressive and liberal than any law that had come before and most that come since, would lash out against setting aside a place for people of a certain faith to gather (freedom of assembly) and pray (freedom of religion). And apparently it worked.”
4. tt said... on Sep 21, 2010 at 01:14PM
“Why should we trust the Muslims?
The Catholic Church gets singled out because 7% of priest committed the crime of child molestation. What about all other people (other ministers and Rabbis, teachers, coaches, counselors, physician, policemen, etc.) that have committed the same horrific crimes against children?
Why should we trust the Catholic Church when 7% of the priest are child molesters? Why should we trust the Muslims when only a small minority of them are terrorist?
That’s how it has been in this country.
*Did we trust the Japanese after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor? NO!
*Did we trust the Germans when HITLER was in command? NO!
*Did we trust the Italians when Mussolini was in command? Absolutely not!
”