Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Fibonacci Faith: Changing Everything

If you build it, they will….?

Last updated on: August 16, 2010 at 9:33 pm   by Richard Dahlstrom

If you build it, they will….? 2010-08-16T21:33:01-07:00 Richard Dahlstrom

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

So a mosque is planned near ground zero. What do I think? I’m glad you asked. My answer depends on who’s asking.

If a Muslim asked, I’d say, “Why are you planning on doing this near the site where America’s greatest mainland catastrophe occurred at the hands of your religion’s worst fanaticism? If you’re trying to build bridges with the American people, this is an absurd strategy. It feels a bit, ‘in your face’, like running up the score when you’re already winning. Bad form.”

If a conservative asked, I’d say, “Think twice before you oppose this. In fact, think three times: Thought #1: What if this were a church building instead of a mosque, and the government was being encouraged by it’s constituency to forbid on the basis of mistrust (they ‘eat flesh and drink blood’!). Thought #2: Do you like your freedom of religion? Thought #3: Or do you only like freedom of religion if it applies to your religion?

If a Obama asked, I’d say, “What is your vision for pluralism in America? If you think that the immigration issues related to Mexico are a big deal, take a look at what Europe’s facing across the pond. It makes our issues look like a squabble between neighbors over a broken lawnmower by comparison. You need to cast a vision for cultural assimilation that honors incoming folks and our cultural roots and heritage which, in spite of the secularists desire to declare otherwise, is distinctly Judeo Christian. So far, your lack of vision on immigration issues leaves some of us worried that, in the absence of plan, the loudest voices will prevail.

If you asked me what I think, I’d give you my answer, but first I’d say…what do you think?  I welcome your thoughts.

justice

life

questions

Previous Post



August 11, 2010

Looking for "more" or "less"?

Next Post



August 18, 2010 The gift of rhythm


Browse Our Archives

Select a Category body bridges church coffee with God Creation exhaling generosity Inhaling intimacy inviting justice leadership life questions Rest and Sabbath Reviews Rule of Life Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 August 2009




TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who took Jesus’ body and placed it in a tomb?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John Peter Nicodemus Joseph of Arimathea

Related posts from Fibonacci Faith: Changing Everything

Evangelical

Lex Rex vs. Rex Lex: Trayvon Martin and...

Fibonacci Faith: Changing Everything

Evangelical

Radical Liberty...

Fibonacci Faith: Changing Everything

Evangelical

Shin Dong-hyuk: Lessons about radical gospel freedom, from...

Fibonacci Faith: Changing Everything

Evangelical

Old Testament God: Angry fundamentalist, or loving friend?...

Fibonacci Faith: Changing Everything

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Evangelical

The REST of Your Life: A Creative Wrestles...

This week I had a conversation with a good friend from church....

How the author of the world's best hymn...

I've been working with John Newton for a while now. This makes...

Psalm 130 | Lectio Divina

Long before this Lectio Divina, Psalm 130 - the song - started...

What About the Trees? Another Living Parable

After I finished writing the last article about falling leaves as a...

Why Classical Education Is a Conversation, Not a...

Come and Read: Joy in Classical Education When I was a little...

What Happened at Cornell?

Cornell University has received a great deal of negative publicity and intense...

view all Evangelical blogs

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube