Eddie Long Accepts a Stack of Money From Woman During Sermon (Like A Pimp!!)

Recession? What recession? This nigga has to cut a check for $15 million to cover that whole feeling on your booty thing with those cats from his church. And look at how the faithful women of the Lord and his church are dropping stacks on this fool. What, did the sister put a down payment on her or her son's booty gettin' felt up? Shit, is this how they get down in the house that God Eddie Long built? You can't convince me otherwise, but this nigga's a pimp.

Sorry Imams, Please Exit The Plane; Yes, You Look Like Bin Laden... Oh Yeah, Thanks

by Joanna

How is this for irony? Two imams were headed to a conference addressing Islamophobia and prejudice in America, and instead of flying to their destination in peace, they were confronted with the theme of the conference head on.

Transportation Security Administration agents escorted two Muslim imams from a plane heading from Memphis, Tenn. to Charlotte, N.C. on Friday.

The men were on the Atlantic Southeast Airlines plane heading to a conference of the North American Imams Federation. The theme of the conference was prejudice and Islamophobia. Atlanta Southeast Airlines runs connection flights for Delta Airlines.

The Memphis-based imams, Masudur Rahman and Mohamed Zaghloul, were both dresses in traditional Muslim garb when the plane was told to return to the gate after taxiing to the runway.

Rahman and Zaghloul were put through secondary security screenings and not allowed back on the plane. Rahman told reporters that a Delta representative looked embarrassed after speaking with the pilot.

The men said they were treated kindly by TSA agents, but they still don’t know why they weren’t allowed to fly on the plane.

Rahman and Zaghloul eventually made it to the conference.

Their attorney said his clients have not yet decided to take legal action, but he wants the pilot to be held responsible for the incident. SOURCE

Could you imagine? I guess the fact that other passengers were "uncomfortable" sharing a plane with men dressed in traditional Muslim clothing was more important than the rights of those men to freely travel about the country. Next thing you know, the US will be passing laws outlawing traditional Muslim garb, like Belgium and France have already implemented. Because apparently Muslim clothing, in the minds of many Americans, is like a "terrorist" uniform.

Instead of government officials and corporate representatives like the TSA agents and airline pilot involved in this case attacking the biased thinking of these fools, they capitulate to the demands of the bigots.

Imagine if , after Timothy McVeigh, a so called "Christian" bombed the state building in Oklahoma, people wearing crosses were profiled on the streets, pulled over and confronted, treated as "extremists" and "terrorists". The whole world would be up in arms. Imagine if priests were not allowed to wear their collar while flying in a plane with children, for fear that they would molest the kids. How fast would there be laws passed banning this sort of treatment? Quick, fast and in a hurry. But no, these men were not Christian and not white, so they are considered fair game.

Another Black History Moment: Barack Obama Frees the Slaves of Egypt (Moses Who?)

We Both Have Funny Sounding Names

I really haven't been following the events as they've unfolded in Egypt. But whatever's been happening, I do know that somebody scored a major victory today as Hosni Mubarak has decided to resign. Of course it took him a while and he was quite defiant. But now I'm wondering just what it took to break him? Could it be those images of Negroes from New Orleans and Los Angeles shipped in specifically to loot in Egypt? Could it have been one too many renditions of Barack Obama invoking his inner Jesse Lee Brooks as he sung "Go Down Moses" in Mubarak's ear? Or could it be that somebody finally  exposed his Craigslist shirtless camera-pic? I'm gonna say that this is all Obama; he can do anything, but don't tell that to the Israelis. Who cares what a republican focus group in Iowa says; if this doesn't prove Obama to be a Christian and not Muslim, nothing will. After all, Jesus was Black, no?

The Christian Patriarchy Movement & "Stay At Home Daughters"

by JuJuBe

"Daughters aren’t to be independent. They’re not to act outside the scope 
of their father. As long as they’re under the authority of their fathers, fathers have the ability to nullify or not the oaths and the vows. Daughters can’t just go out 
independently and say, ‘I’m going to marry whoever I want.’ No. The father has 
the ability to say, ‘No, I’m sorry, that has to be approved by me.’”

No, the above quote is not from 1910. It is not even from 1960. No, it is not from those days long ago when the only role that a woman could conceive of filling was that of a wife and mother. Nope. This was a recent quote from Doug Phillips, founder of the Vision Forum, a leading proponent of the Christian Patriarchy Movement.

Vision Forum Ministries is, according to its Statements of Doctrine, “committed to affirming the historic faith of Biblical Christianity,” with special attention to the historical faith found in the book of Genesis, when God created Eve as a “helper” to Adam. According to Christian Patriarchy, marriage bonds man (the symbol of Christ) to woman (the symbol of the Church). It’s a model that situates husbands and fathers in a position of absolute power: If a woman disobeys her “master,” whether father or husband, she’s defying God. Thus, women in the Christian Patriarchy Movement aren’t just stay-at-home mothers -- they’re stay-at-home daughters as well. And many of them wouldn’t have 
it any other way.

The stay-at-home-daughters movement, which is promoted by Vision Forum, encourages young girls and single women to forgo college and outside employment in favor of training as “keepers at home” until they marry. Young women pursuing their own ambitions and goals are viewed as selfish and anti-family; marriage is not a choice or one piece of a larger life plan, but the ultimate goal. Stay-at-home daughters spend their days learning “advanced homemaking” skills, such as cooking and sewing, and other skills that at one time were a necessity -- knitting, crocheting, soap- and candle-making. A father is considered his daughter’s authority until he transfers control to her husband

Source

Now, I am a firm believer in a woman's right to choose what role she wants to take on in life. I am convinced that a woman who CHOOSES to be a stay at home mother, and to fulfill a more "traditional" gender role should be allowed to do so without being judged. But, I likewise believe that if a woman wants to pursue a full time career outside of the home, and eschew family life, she is entitled to do that as well. And, I do believe that a woman CAN balance a career AND a family, if THAT is what she wants to do with her life.

What makes this movement so disturbing is that the element of choice is nearly non-existent. A young girl whose family believes in the Christian Patriarchy Movement is NOT told that she is free to choose her own path. No, she is instructed from birth that her role is to serve the men in her life... first her father and then her husband. She is taught that a man is the ultimate authority, and any of her desires that conflict with the instructions of the man should be repressed, as they are evil in origin.

Detroit Area Muslims Lend a Helping Hand to their Christian Neighbors This Christmas

by JuJuBe (Joanna)

The climate in the United States in recent years has been decidedly anti-Muslim. Many Americans have the idea that Muslims are all filled with hatred for non-Muslim people. That Muslims look at Americans as "infidels" and wish only death upon them. But, through the efforts of an interfaith coalition in Detroit, Muslims have taken the opportunity to reach out to the Christian community this Christmas.

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Early Christmas morning, hundreds of Muslim-Americans turned out to help their Christian friends by doing the volunteer work that they would normally do. Muslims say this is a way to allow Christians to celebrate the Holiday by stepping in to provide meals to seniors and distributing toys to needy children.

The volunteers began the day at the Community Access Center on W. Vernor in southwest Detroit, and Saturday's effort came out of an interfaith collaboration by the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan and the Jewish Community Relations Council. This year since Christmas falls on the Jewish Sabbath, the need was greater than ever to have Muslim-Americans help deliver the toys and food to Detroit neighborhoods.

Many of the toys being delivered to families today were donated by the organization known as Jimmy's Kids.(Source)

This is the type of story that people tend to overlook. No one seems to want to hear stories of people helping people, regardless of religion or race. I think the service these volunteers are performing this Christmas is a beautiful thing. I wish people would give stories like this the same type of attention they give stories of hatred and bigotry.

These Muslim volunteers are truly exhibiting the spirit of giving that seems to be forgotten in the frenzy of consumerism that Christmas has become. THIS is what Christmas is about. It is about sharing, caring and giving. And, performing good works is NOT restricted to people who have similar religious beliefs.

Many individuals call for us to "keep the Christ in Christmas". Many are dismayed at the blatant commercialization of the holiday. I say that Christ is not what makes Christmas so great. No, instead it is the spirit of giving the holiday inspires in all of us. And the Muslims who volunteered to spend Christmas day performing charitable work for their Christian neighbors exemplify that spirit.

H/T Wood Turtle

Bishop Eddie Long Seeks Settlement with Accusers of Sexual Coercion: What Happened to the Five Stones, Eddie?

Ever since I read about this over at this black sista's page yesterday, I've been thinking about this case and just where it is currently. My girl blksista has an excellent breakdown of the case that you can check out if you like right here. But after reading her piece, and watching the above video, I can't help but to ask: What happened to those five stones, Bishop Eddie Long?

You addressed your congregation wearing yet another one of those f@%ked up lacefront wigs and declared war against the devil remember? Oh that's right; you didn't actually say you were innocent. Nope, not even a "now you know I ain't never touched them boys booty? You niggas know that ain't me!"

Don't Worry Eddie, I Got Your Back

You were arrogant; and yes you said that you're not the man that your accusers said you were - whatever that means. But, I don't quite remember you coming out like Michael Jackson after having your testicles placed in a police line-up to proclaim your innocence. No you didn't; and, you were supposed to fight. So what happened to that, Eddie Long-strokes? God ain't got your back?

I mean lord forbid if your congregation starts letting out all of your secrets after the fact. No seriously, I sincerely believe that somebody in that church knows something; I refuse to believe that out of 30,000 congregants, that there isn't anyone with an iota of knowledge of the goings-on of the good reverend-pastor-bishop. That is, anyone who hasn't been compensated financially to keep their mouths shut.

So where does Eddie Long go from here? How exactly does he justify giving the devil and his gay demons settling with his accusers out of court as opposed to fighting to prove his innocence. Can he maintain his innocence after making the deal with the devil? Hello, from what I understand monies in any settlement wouldn't be coming from Eddie Long's pockets, but from the church. Oh hell, I guess it doesn't matter; from the church, from his pockets, same difference, right?

Lord You Better Not Tell Them Negroes What You Saw Me Do!

Michael Jackson (who I mentioned before) settled out of court in his child molestation case; and many of us in the court of public opinion, believed him to be innocent. Bishop Eddie Long is currently working on an out of court settlement with his now-adult-accusers of sexual coercion. Now, Eddie Long didn't make Thriller; that said, how many of you believe the allegations against him to be false? More importantly, how exactly can he sell his innocence to his church and "shame the devil" in the process? But hey, I guess we have to wait to see if he tones down his homophobic rhetoric to find out.

The Real Meaning of Christmas

by Tracy Renee Jones

There won’t be no Yule Log burning on my television screen this year. Nor will there be any gift giving. Nor will there be any church services. Nor will there be any Christmas tree.

Of course in the past I willingly adhered to the practice of splurging, buying, and decorating while freezing my ass off in below zero temps and spending time with people I didn’t bother with any other time of the year and going broke in the name of Jesus Christ.

Anything less was me being a bad mother, and how could I disappoint my child when she expected to wake up to toy store bounty in celebration of Jesus’ birthday! I fought bravely on behalf of my daughter’s honor, so that she may have a Giga-Pet! My best friend earned her notches by getting into a full on scuffle at 5 a.m. with a soccer mom over a Glo Worm her son had to have lest he become an invalid or something terrible.

No, seriously, I’m pretty much over the whole Christmas as a viable celebration in my life. I’ve been getting uncomfortable glances when I’m asked about holiday festivities and I admit that I’m done with Christmas. The looks on the faces of the white suburban mothers’ I work with boarder on confusion and disgust at my comment. Some take my refusal to participate in the fiscal requirements of Christmas as my wanting to take the secular aspect of the holiday out of the religious observance. Nope, it’s not that either.

Can someone tell me what’s so great about Christmas anyway? Do people even know why they celebrate it? Aside from the mass hysteria that is called customs what’s the real meaning of Christmas?

Naivety or Nativity

During the ‘90’s an Ohio school board banned all nativity and other Christmas scenes on any school property; they felt it violated the separation of church and state. Pissed off parents challenged them in court because they WANTED their Christmas. What about the kids?! The board lost their case when the courts ruled that Christmas is a worldwide tradition and not a religious holiday. The courts ruled that mangers could stay because nativity scenes are not recognized as representation of any one religion.

Most of the Christmas tradition is repackaged Roman paganism. December 25 initially was considered to be the harvest festival of the Roman God Saturnalia (the God of sowing). In 529 A.D., the Emperor Justinian made Christmas a civic holiday. Many Egyptian pagan celebrations were held during the month of January; these holidays were moved back and become associated with Christmas. No one in the Bible mentioned a celebration in memory of Christ’s birth.

It was 300 years A.D. before the Roman church honored the celebration of Christmas, and it was not until the fifth century that it became an official festival honoring “Jesus Christ.” Biblical scholars quote verse where Jesus specifically spoke against keeping pagan holidays and boisterous traditions (Matt 15:9; Mark 7:9).

Go Jesus; It’s Your Birthday!

The book of Luke describes the events that were taking place during the season of the birth of Jesus Christ. Strangely enough, the time points to his being born during the Fall Season (see Luke 2:8 reference to shepherds still in the fields. Shepherds didn’t do this during the winter months). The festival of Saturnalia (Dec 17^th) was a time for partying and gift exchanging. December 25 was the birth date of the god Mithra (the Righteous Son). January 1^st was the Roman New Year; a time when Romans would adorn their houses with decorations and gifts were given to the poor and children. Fir trees, Yule cakes and gift giving are also aspects of German and Celtic harvest celebrations which were absorbed into tradition when these tribes settled in Britain and Europe.

During the Reformation those PR gurus swapped out the harvest festival celebrations and replaced it with the birth of Jesus Christ; they threw in some self serving gouging and debauchery for good measure because who doesn’t like a good party?

Pastor James David Manning: Obama Has Neutered and Weakened the White Man

by Eco.Soul.Intellectual

Just when you thought you have heard it all, here comes this pastor. Amen and pass the bottle of Boone's Farm, Uncle Ruckus of The Boondocks is not only real, but he has a congregation. And, has a helluva pep talk for white folks in America in this installment. No seriously, white folks, pay attention OK?

"You ain't what you used to be, white man!" - Pastor James David Manning



Um, did this fool say that "God has moved on from slavery..."?

Pray On It: The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away

by Tracy Renee Jones

I’m currently going through a family crisis. It’s no more or less complicated than other barriers I’ve had to face as a single mother living in America. I don’t often talk about my problems with people I know. To me there is nothing more frustrating than when I divulge/explain/confide in another person in (the slight) hope that they may be able to offer me a solution or at the very least some insight.

“Well, you should pray on that and God will delivery you from whatever is bothering you”

“Have you prayed to God for a solution?”

“Give it over to the Lord”

“I’m gonna pray for you”

Why are the people of the US so dam religious?

According to social scientist and Journal of Religion and Society the reason is mainly due to the existence of higher levels of stress faced by US citizens. The stress levels suffered by residents of the U.S. is much greater than stress felt by European citizens who live under a social welfare system that alleviates many of the same factors.

“Scientist also found that countries that had higher infant mortality, homicide rates and levels of corruption, had lower life expectancy, had more AIDS and more abortion all tended to have a population that turned to prayer more often. The other interesting finding is that all these factors also went hand in hand with higher income inequality. In other words, income inequality acts like a kind of barometer of societal health.”

OMG Look at the Big Scary... It looks like a *GASP*.... Mosque!! Call Homeland Security!

by JuJuBe (Joanna)

The Light of the World (La Luz del Mundo) Church currently under construction in Phoenix Arizona has neighbors concerned. So much so, that they had to affix a banner to the structure in order to reassure passerby on the nearby I-10. The reason? It "looks like a mosque" Yup, this multidenominational church is the object of concern because it is topped by a dome. Ooooohhhh.... scary Muslim looking structure! The terrorists are about to invade Arizona! Hide the women and children!

Yes, Islamophobia in America has really gotten this bad! Church leaders have received numerous phone calls from "concerned citizens" who are opposed to the idea of there being a mosque in the area! So, they are now flying a large banner across the dome just to let the people who see the structure know that they are, indeed, a Christian organization, not one of those terrifying Islamic "terrorist" groups! Because God forbid those scary Muslims be afforded a place to worship in America!

I was about to say that this was typical of the state that brought us SB1070, and bans on "ethnic studies" classes AND affirmative action programs. But, the truth is, Anti-Islamic sentiment can be found all over this country. From New York City to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. From North Carolina to Waterport, New York. Muslims have become the "enemy du jour", and it is open season on any expression of the Islamic faith.

The Baby Momma's Momma's Momma: Ignorance, Guilt, Religion, & Disregard

by Tracy Renee Jones

She’s twenty years old now. My greatest accomplishment and most trying and involved personal project, my daughter is so very much the reason that I still exist. I wouldn’t be here had it not been for her being here. I’m not sure at what point I would go back in time and choose to do anything differently. So many links in a chain of events contributed to her being here.

Life is supposed to be precious because ‘they’ say so, but life isn’t precious. Nor is life a great blessing, nor is life a journey. Life…..is a repetitive cycle of complicated challenges, innumerable daily obstacles, disappointments, frustrations, and thankless requirements.

Life is a bitch…and then you die. I have life, because I chose to give my daughter life, because I was taught that that is the ‘right’ thing to do. I live, because I’ve always been painfully aware of what life is really like and I refuse to allow my daughter to face THIS shit on her own.

Guest Blogger: Spiritual Confessions (by Southern Legal Diva)

[Editors Note: One of the joys of social networking for me, has to be the the ability to "meet" new people, new voices, and new bloggers. Such was the case recently upon the discovery of the blog Confessions of a Legal Diva. A blog presented with a certain freshness and honesty with a splash of virginesque.]

I have been searching for something. You know what it feels like to be looking for something....never knowing what it is. I am at a crossroads with my spiritual life. For years, it has been based on everything and everyone around me. Today I draw the line in the sand. I have to do this on my own.

Religion and spirituality in the black community has always been something that has made me sit up and take notice. In my opinion, it lacks genuineness. This is based not only on my own experiences, but also the experiences of friends and family members. Here are my reasons below:

#1: There is an almost bullying into Christianity.

Most black people start going to church right out of the womb. Somewhere around age 9, there is a subtle pushing towards joining the church. By age 13, you will be reminded nearly everyday that you are not a member of Hold My Mule While I Shout Missionary Baptist AME Zion Church. In my hometown, our local paper publishes a bio of every high school graduate. It contains awards and accomplishments of the graduating senior, where they plan to go to college, parents' names….and what church they are a member of. At 17 I had still not been baptized (I know….the horror!) My mother pushed me for a whole year to join my home church so that there will be something to say about it in the paper. Ummm….what?! It was then that I realized joining the church is more like a social stage of life, a coming out party of sorts where you present yourself to the world as a Christian. I take my faith a little more seriously than that. There is a problem when you force young people into accepting Christ at an age when they don't really know what all that entails. You end up with a generation of adults that think just because they got dipped in water, they are free and clear with the Lord. I don't subscribe to that kind of behavior. I know that there are some people that accept Christ early and lead the life that they are supposed to. But often times….youth and the process of growing up overshadows your faith unless you have more guidance than "join the church!"

Pastor James David Manning: Don Lemon, Anderson Cooper, & Everyone on CNN is Gay... Because they Look Like It

This dude never fails to make me laugh:


Wait, did this fool say hungryphobia?

Black Folk & Ligion'

by Eco.Soul.Intellectual

The other night as I was chopping it up with a friend about life, we began recounting church scandals in her area of Philly. We got on black folk, ligion' and our propensity to worship our "leaders" and "prophets" who are mostly self-appointed.

This "waiting on Jesus, Allah, Buddah and Rastafari" and as Peter Tosh puts it "Pie in the Sky" shit has got to stop. She said something potent when she said, "We are worshipping the man and forgetting to worship God."

With that said, I love this vlog by comedienne Cadillac Kim. Check it out.

Repression is not Morality: The Consequences of Sexual Suppression

By Eddie Blue-Eyes

¡Hola! Everybody...

Unless you’re living outside the USA, you have by now been treated to countless stories of Eddie Long’s “alleged” sexual predatory behavior. He is a major religious figure, known for his staunch, homophobic views and conservative, “family values” stance. the accusations leveled against him have rocked Christianity and the Black Church in particular, with many expressing shock, denial, and anger at his actions. This post is not about Eddie Long specifically. It is, however, an attempt to understand the roots of sexual repression, it’s consequences, and why it’s always bound to fail.

First, let me point out that individuals who score highly on psychological metrics measuring homophobia, often demonstrate an attraction to homosexual acts. A university study seems to confirm the belief that most homophobic men have repressed homosexual desires.

The study showed that the men who scored highest on a homophobic measure, were most sexually aroused by gay porn. when confronted with the evidence, the test subjects vehemently denied being sexually attracted to gay porn. (An alternative, but much less likely, explanation is that the homophobic men's erections were caused by anxiety during the experiment.) I believe that any attempt to repress Eros (which is part of natural make-up) relegates it to the dark recesses of our collective psyche where it becomes warped and controls our behaviors.

Eddie Long’s behavior is not the work of the “devil,” but the consequence of sexual repression.

If You Smile When You Say the Word "Nigger"... You Might be Racist

My man PunkJohnnyCash of Gonzo Times shared the following video with me a couple of days ago. Since then, I've watched it at least ten times, and I gotta admit, I'm still a bit confused about it.

Sorry, but when Papa Smurf dressed in a Harley Davidson t-shirt breaks it down and mentions, "my daddy always said nigger," I seriously gotta question the true intent of the message. No old-ass white guy from the south is gonna convince me that the word is not exclusively used to reference to black people.

The real irony here, is that this message was brought to you by the good Christian folks of doveworld.org. You know, the same people who on September 11th, 2010, will be sponsoring a "Burn A Koran Day," at their church in Gainesville, FL? Yeah I know, there's no double standard there at all; Jesus never said "Love thy neighbor's Qu'ran as you love your bible thyself," right?

I dunno, but maybe I'm buggin'; seeing white folks smile as they say the word was a bit uncomfortable. Well, maybe not uncomfortable, but rather telling that the "niggerization" in America has yet to be passe.

"The fundamental irony of American history is that we follow the better angels of our nature when we honestly and compassionately confront the devilish realities we would like to ignore or deny. The founding of this most American of periodicals was motivated, in part, by a courageous resistance against the American institution of white- supremacist slavery. We must never forget that when this grand intellectual forum was established, the precious U.S. Constitution was, in practice, a pro-slavery document. To put it clearly yet crudely, the deep democratization of America was pitted against the ugly niggerization in America.

Democratization is the best of the American idea—in principle and practice. The sublime notion that each and every ordinary person has a dignity that warrants his or her voice being heard in shaping the destiny of society remains a revolutionary force in the 21st century—in the face of the power of autocratic empires, plutocratic states, and xenophobic communities. Niggerization is neither simply the dishonoring and devaluing of black people nor solely the economic exploitation and political disenfranchisement of them. It is also the wholesale attempt to impede democratization—to turn potential citizens into intimidated, fearful, and helpless subjects.

Since the ugly events of 9/11, we have witnessed the attempt of the Bush administration—with elites in support and populists complacent—to promote the niggerization of the American people. Like the myopic white greed, fear, and hatred that fueled the niggerization of black people, right-wing greed, fear, and hatred have made all of us feel intimidated, fearful, and helpless in the face of the terrorist attacks. And, as in the 19th century, we’ve almost lost our democracy.

The future of the American idea—both then and now, here and abroad—depends on the vision, courage, and determination of decent and compassionate people to engage in Socratic questioning of the powers that be, to take the risk of prophetic witness, and to preserve a hope for democratization. Our nation and world now have the blues, so we must learn from our blues people—from the grand examples of Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, Myles Horton, and Muriel Rukeyser. The American practice of niggerization must die for the American idea of democratization to live—yet again." - Dr. Cornel West (source)

Which brings me to the Socratic question(s):

1) Why is it that "certain people" always reference black comedians, rappers, or black people period, and not the guy at the Klan rally when trying to make a point on the use of the word?

2) How come nobody ever says: "I think if the Klansman can say the word 'nigger' while speaking publicly at one of their rallies on Main St., then I should be able to use the word without fear of retribution or ridicule?" Wasn't the "standard" set by White Supremacists?

3) Can black people be "racist" when the longtime fostered cultural hegemony continues to leaves them collectively powerless relative to the non-minority group?

4) Does being a "nigger" require one to be, "looking like a fool wit yo' pants on the ground.."?

Talk to me people...

Murfreesboro Mosque Fire: Another Example of anti-Muslim Rhetoric Gone Wild

by Joanna (JuJuBe)

So, we have all heard the protests of those who claim that the planned Islamic Center NEAR Ground Zero is disrespectful towards the families of 9/11 victims. So, other than pure hatred, what is the excuse for the people opposed to building a mosque and Islamic center hundred of miles away in Murfreesboro, TN??

Early Saturday morning, someone poured flammable liquid over four pieces of equipment at the construction site of a planned Islamic center in Murfreesboro. Federal officials are investigating this as a possible arson.

Controversy has been surrounding the plan to build a center to serve the 250 Muslim families in the area (who have been using a suite in a local office building to hold services.) The planned facility includes a mosque, a community center, and athletic fields, and is slated to be completed gradually over the next few years.

But, many in the Murfreesboro community are angry over the proposed religious center. Some claim that their concern is about zoning and traffic issues, while others have made very clear that their objections are based purely on anti-Muslim sentiment.

After months of vocal opposition in meetings and in the media, apparently someone has decided to take their anger and transform it into violence. And the local Muslim community is frightened.

A local religious freedom group, Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom, plans to hold a “candlelight vigil in front of the Rutherford County Courthouse on Monday in response to the fire. “We simply cannot allow the actions of a few destructive individuals to go overlooked by Rutherford County residents,” said Claire Rogers, a spokesman for the group. “It’s truly a shame that we have reached this point, but it is up to us to ensure the intimidation goes no further.” (source)

Anti-Muslim bigotry has risen to epic proportions in this country. And criminal acts committed against Muslims or the property of Muslims like this recent arson attack go largely unnoticed in the media. Or, they are tacitly condoned by the majority of "good, God fearing Christians".

Imagine if this had been a Christian congregation that had been the victim of this attack. It would have been national news. And there would have been the ever present "Was this terrorism?" question asked by every media outlet. But, since Muslims are the victim, Americans smile and nod and think it is OK.

I truly find it mind boggling that a nation that was "founded" by people who LEFT their homes to seek religious freedom has evolved into a country so intolerant to people of different faiths.

It is a perversion of the concept of "freedom". But, realistically, this country NEVER practiced the ideals it preached. And this is just one more example. Besides, they were burning down black churches not too long ago.

Why Should Anyone CARE if Barack Obama is a Muslim?

By Joanna (JuJuBe)

I really wish Barack Obama WAS a “secret Muslim” as so many people in America choose to believe. I wonder what would happen if President Obama and his family were found studying the Qur’an covertly in the White House. Would there be attempts to oust him from office for the offense of not being a “good Christian”?

I would LOVE to see a Muslim in the White House. Maybe THAT would be an indication that America actually embraces the ideals it was SUPPOSEDLY founded on. I thought I would never see a Black president. I cried when Barack Obama was elected because I THOUGHT it showed progress. I did not believe that his election heralded a “post racial” society, as so many like to claim, but I thought it meant we were moving towards equality and justice. Of course, the rise of the Tea Party and the virulent anti-Obama sentiment across vast populations proved me wrong. And the anti-Muslim rhetoric running rampant across this country is further proof that we are NO WHERE NEAR a fair and just society.

I wonder if there will ever be a Muslim president…. Frankly I do not see it happening any time soon. The fact that so many American’s are “concerned” that Barack Obama is a “secret Muslim” is proof enough that anti-Muslim sentiment is the rule in this country. Because it is surely not Obama supporters who believe he is a Muslim. It is not proponents of religious freedom who are concerned with his religion. It is the people who HATE him, and use “Muslim” as a slur, an attempt to make Barack Obama look like evil personified.

I was reading an article today about the belief that many Americans seem to share: That Muslims are simply evil. That Islam is the religion of only the scum of the Earth. That the Qur’an advocates violence relentlessly. I have to wonder how many of the people who are SO anti-Muslim have actually READ anything from the Qur’an. Better yet, if they are so convinced that the Qur’an promotes a violent agenda, I have to wonder if they have ever read the Bible. Because from what I can see, the “Word of God” that Christians hold so dear is filled with murder, rape, and sexism.

Ron McNeil (R-FL): Build the "Mosque" Nine Stories Underground

I dunno what's happening in Florida, but with a Christian church proposing to hold a "Burn a Koran Day" on September 11th, I suppose what congressional candidate Ron McNeil (R-FL) had to say above isn't surprising.  Nothing like getting a few hundred thousand votes by appealing to the prejudiced mind.

So according to this prick, Islam is against the "freedom" that America represents. Wow, I never knew that about Islam; but I do know that one of said "freedoms" in America happens to be one that has to do with freedom of religion and expression, no? You'd think in a Christian nation where black churches were bombed, that such a fundamental American ideal would be endorsed without question.

I dunno who fixes the Kool-Aid for Republicans, but somebodies slippin' an idiot pill in it, that's for sure. But then again this is Florida we're talking about; I suppose all that sunshine eventually fries the brain.

TOTALLY IRRELEVANT SIDENOTE: In all fairness to the people concerned about the construction of the "mosque": we built many 'ground zeros' near mosques in Iraq since March 2003.  

I tell you what? Say what you want about kids being screwed up these days (?). But kids like Doug Reed who was willing to challenge McNeil's position, definitely gives me hope for the future of the nation.

As for the good folks of The Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida?

Well, there ain't no saving them; people like Pastor Terry Jones are a lost cause as are all religious nutjobs. But don't tell them I said that; I'd hate to wake up to cross burning on my lawn in Jesus' name.



STORY HERE

The "Not-So-Ground-Zero" Mosque & Right-Wing Islamophobia

"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe." — Elie Wiesel

I realize that the debate over the building of an Islamic center near Ground Zero in downtown Manhattan may not be issue number one. Yes, and I'm fully aware that any attention paid to this debate plays directly into the strategy of right-wing politicians. However, unlike Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), we must not cave to the pressures of the noise-makers on the right.

To do so would be a compromise of our principles, ideals, and everything that we celebrate about America. And that would be, the very freedoms and rights afforded to everyone per the U.S. Constitution. The very same Constitution and American way of life that countless American-Muslims have died in service to the country with the utmost honor and sacrifice.


SIDE NOTE: While people protest the "Ground Zero Mosque", nobody has said a word about the Mosque that exists within the walls of the Pentagon. Was that not also a target of Islamic extremists on 9/11? Are Muslims not allowed to serve in the military?

But don't tell that to the people protesting; for only they know just what it is to be American. Don't mention the fact that American Muslims lost their lives in the tragedy that was 9/11. Further, don't mention to them that Islam is a religion of peace, that gets a bum rap due in large part to the political pandering and fear-mongering of politicians, and xenophobes alike.

Whatever you do, just like the words of the late great Howard Zinn suggests: "You cannot stay neutral on a moving train." Hopefully you stand for what is right, and what is American; I know I am, and hell I don't even do religion. I do however do politics because it impacts my life, and I believe in being as free as the U.S. Constitution allows the next man.