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August 25th, 2010
11:07 AM ET
New York's Bloomberg: We are all Muslims
By Stephen Prothero, Special to CNN In a smart commentary on the shrill Republican silence in the face of the "Obama is a Muslim" nonsense, Slate’s John Dickerson wrote that "with so much traffic on the low road in American politics, you'd imagine a politician or two might take the high road simply to beat the congestion." Well, New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg continues to take the road less traveled. We are now in the Islamic holy month of fasting called Ramadan, and Bloomberg hosted last night an annual iftar, or fast-breaking dinner, at Gracie Mansion. In his his remarks, Bloomberg, who has previously supported the Park51 project in the name of both property rights and religious freedom, once again spoke truth to fear and hatred. He admitted that “there are people of good will on both sides of the debate." He acknowledged that the World Trade Center site is "hallowed ground." And he observed that “there are people of every faith–including, perhaps, some in this room–who are hoping that a compromise will end the debate.” “But it won’t,” he said. The community center can and must be built at the Park51 site, he said. Anything less would “compromise our commitment to fighting terror with freedom." During his remarks, Bloomberg welcomed Talat Hamdani, whose son, Salman Hamdani, a paramedic and Ne York City Police Department cadet, died on 9/11. He also welcomed Sakibeh and Asaad Mustafa, whose children, he said, “have served our country overseas.” Bloomberg brought home the point that the propaganda war now being waged on Islam in America threatens to undercut our counterinsurgency battle for "hearts and minds" in Iraq and Afghanistan. “If we do not practice here at home what we preach abroad–if we do not lead by example–we undermine our soldiers,” he said. “We undermine our foreign policy objectives. And we undermine our national security." Bloomberg ended his talk by quoting some words from the embattled Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf:
“In that spirit," Bloomberg concluded, in words that echoed John F. Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech, "let me declare that we in New York are Jews and Christians and Muslims, and we always have been. And above all of that, we are Americans, each with an equal right to worship and pray where we choose. There is nowhere in the five boroughs that is off limits to any religion." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Stephen Prothero. soundoff (1,202 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Next »
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  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion scholar and author of "God is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Run the World," is a regular CNN Belief Blog contributor.
Jesus did not give us an option of picking and choosing what religion we wished to believe in, follow or endorse. Christianity means following and obeying Jesus Christ, period. "No man cometh to the father but by me."
But God/Jehovah/Allah gave us all free will to do as we please. Maybe our choices won't lead us to Him but that's our decision.
Which "version" of the bible are you referring to? King James, the Catholic one? You are quoting what you believe Jesus' words to be, but they are edited and in English! Jesus the prophet did not speak English, so what you are quoting is really a supposed interpretation of Aramaic correct?
Jeff e...Sorry, I don't read from your bible, or any book of religion, to be exact. Does that mean I am not a citizen? Didn't think so...
@Jeff E
Of Course he did!
What do you think he meant by "In my Fathers mansion are many rooms" ?
Jesus was preparing just one room in His Mansion, because there are unlimited paths to God, He is 'The Lord of Many Ascents' you just have to decide you want to rise up to meet Him.
Just in case Conservatives forget......Bloomberg is a Super Rich Republican and not a Proud Democrat like President Obama. So, if you hate president Obama for supporting this Islam Community center 2.5 blocks from Ground Zero, then you better be ready to attack Bloomberg.
Incidentally, their are already 2 Muslem Mosques just 2 blocks from Ground Zero since before 9/11.
I find this "my god is better than your god" conversation so tedious. Take the Christian/Jewish God (you know, the one of the Old and New Testaments). The one that eliminated all people on the entire planet (except an Arabic family headed by Noah). What is that called, how many perished? 2 million, 10 million, 100 million (we are talking the entire planet here). This Christian/Jewish God must really have been pissed. don't recall Mohamed's God Allah ever destroying the entire globe. Maybe a little perspective and literary license here.
Pam, You obviously don't know what the Quran tells it's muslims to do to unbelievers. That is why there are so many "extremists." They are doing what the Quran tells them to do. Jesus doesn't tell his followers to kill people who don't believe. Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies. allah on the other hand commands all muslims to destroy unbelievers. It isn't racism. It is obedience to RELIGION by a "false god."
You, apparently, haven't read much of the Torah or the rest of what Christians refer to as the Old Testament where G-d tells the Twelve Tribes to kill...
What a man of enlightenment this mayor is. If one read his statements of bigotry towards the Seneca Indians of New York, it is hard to believe it is the same man. What a phony!!!!!
Is the Major for the citizens of his city or not? Bloomberg is deaf to the voices of the 'common people of his city'. He hears and follows the money chants. Bloomberg's decision is unrelated to religion as he seeks higher reign in cashflow.
The mayor is correct to stand up against your ignorant lynch mob mentality. He's a good man, something you will never be.
It is fortunate that the Constitution of the United States protects the rights of all and not just the majority.
JOSH,
YOU ARE WRONG BLOOMBERG IS NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY...HE HAS GIVEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY TO MANY CHARITIES..BLOOMBERG IS VERY GOOD NATURED..
HE IS WRONG ABOUT BUILDING THE MOSQUE NEAR GROUND 0 ...
In America, just because a majority of people think your rights should not exist, does not make that right, moral or legal. Just ask black people, indians, gay people, or women.
He does NOT speak for me.
@Jeff E
You voted for him, of course he does...
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." – Benjamin Franklin
agreed. look in other islamic countries or where there is a presence. there is isolationism, brutal enforcement of local islamic interpreted law, resistance to integration, eventual violence as in France, England or Denmark. Attitudes of prayer and violence. They say 'our way is the only way'.
And that, my fellow citizens, is the truth. We are ALL of each others faith! Put the rhetoric aside, move on and let people go about life in Peace! Thanks Bloomberg!
Soon the Streets will flow with the Blood of the nonBelivers, the Infedels will be Crushed under the boot of Islam,, You will all pay the Price for your lack of Vision.
Troll much?
blow me...
It isn't everyday one can tell Allah to go to Hell. How about posting a photo?
ill draw you a picture...
I'm going to be persecuted because I wear glasses?
@ALLAH
You should bone up on your Arabic. Start here Apageinthelife blogspot com "Prismatic", 'Angels and Demons and How to Resurrect the Gospel' and if you are Truly Allah then you would recall the "Homeland I" and "Homeland II" love letters you sent me.
Read Allah's statement in these posts and that says it all. This is the Islamic agenda!!! To take over the world for their GOD (Allah). He's a false GOD they made up, but never the less, he's their GOD who inspires and motivates them through their doctrine (Quaran) and religious practices to conquer the entire world for him!!! You people need to wake the hell up!!!
@Carlton
*holds up silhouette flashcards* You need to go back to your troll spotting course, you just flunked.
Just sayin'
Why are you people so dumb? 'Allah' is some racist taking the name to portray Islam in a bad way.
http://www.whyislam.org
you are ignorant and bloomberg is an AMAZING mayor. deal with it
Scroll up the page and read all about the incidents of koranic-driven terror for the last 22 years. Obviously the follower of the koran are at war with themselves and the USA. Oil profits allow them to do that.
I scrolled up there and found this
Partial List of Muslim 9/11 Victims:
Note: This list is as yet incomplete and unconfirmed. It has been compiled from the Islamic Circle of North America, the Newsday victims database, and reports from other major news organizations. The victims' ages, employers, or other personal information is included when available, along with links to further information or photos.
Samad Afridi
Ashraf Ahmad
Shabbir Ahmad (45 years old; Windows on the World; leaves wife and 3 children)
Umar Ahmad
Azam Ahsan
Ahmed Ali
Tariq Amanullah (40 years old; Fiduciary Trust Co.; ICNA website team member; leaves wife and 2 children)
Touri Bolourchi (69 years old; United Airlines #175; a retired nurse from Tehran)
Salauddin Ahmad Chaudhury
Abdul K. Chowdhury (30 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)
Mohammad S. Chowdhury (39 years old; Windows on the World; leaves wife and child born 2 days after the attack)
Jamal Legesse Desantis
Ramzi Attallah Douani (35 years old; Marsh & McLennan)
SaleemUllah Farooqi
Syed Fatha (54 years old; Pitney Bowes)
Osman Gani
Mohammad Hamdani (50 years old)
Salman Hamdani (NYPD Cadet)
Aisha Harris (21 years old; General Telecom)
Shakila Hoque (Marsh & McLennan)
Nabid Hossain
Shahzad Hussain
Talat Hussain
Mohammad Shah Jahan (Marsh & McLennan)
Yasmeen Jamal
Mohammed Jawarta (MAS security)
Arslan Khan Khakwani
Asim Khan
Ataullah Khan
Ayub Khan
Qasim Ali Khan
Sarah Khan (32 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)
Taimour Khan (29 years old; Karr Futures)
Yasmeen Khan
Zahida Khan
Badruddin Lakhani
Omar Malick
Nurul Hoque Miah (36 years old)
Mubarak Mohammad (23 years old)
Boyie Mohammed (Carr Futures)
Raza Mujtaba
Omar Namoos
Mujeb Qazi
Tarranum Rahim
Ehtesham U. Raja (28 years old)
Ameenia Rasool (33 years old)
Naveed Rehman
Yusuf Saad
Rahma Salie & unborn child (28 years old; American Airlines #11; wife of Michael Theodoridis; 7 months pregnant)
Shoman Samad
Asad Samir
Khalid Shahid (25 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald; engaged to be married in November)
Mohammed Shajahan (44 years old; Marsh & McLennan)
Naseema Simjee (Franklin Resources Inc.'s Fiduciary Trust)
Jamil Swaati
Sanober Syed
Robert Elias Talhami (40 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)
Michael Theodoridis (32 years old; American Airlines #11; husband of Rahma Salie)
W. Wahid
I fail to see your point...
It's because you are blind
You forgot Mohamed Atta and the names of the other 18 Muslim hijackers.
It's a Christian thing to hate/kill anyone non Christian, Jews, Muslims, atheists anything different!
the only religion that calls for the killing of infidels is ISLAM. Mohammed was a murderer himself. Compare him to Jesus. Do you homework before you post lies. You ain't gonna change the fact that islam is hateful and backward. Get used to it. You will hear that more and more in the future as people are getting aware of how bad islam is.
@Name I won't bother even typing
Umm, you do know Jesus was associated with the Zealots, defined by chroniclers of the times as what would today be called a terrorist organization? He even had one of them as a Disciple – Simon the Zealot.
Just sayin'
Wow, you are pretty ignorant. the only ones I see flying planes into buildings, decapitating little girls and blowing up schools in the name of a religion are muslims. So stop portraying islam in a better light than any other religion. Islam is bottom of the barrel.
In Africa Muslims kill Christians
In Mid East Muslims kill Jews and Christians
In India Muslims kill Hindus
In Thailand Muslims kill Buddhists
In Phillippines Muslims kill Christians
And of course Muslims kill Muslims as well.
Dumbest post of the day. The world around, humans kill other humans. Stop being such a bigoted, racist toad.
In Serbia Orthodox Christians killed Muslims
In India Hindus kill Muslims
In the Middle East Jews kill Muslims
In Ireland Protestants and Catholics kill each other
In Mississippi Christians killed black people and Jews
In South Africa Christians killed black Africans
In America hysteria hysteria and xenophobia are killing common sense
David,
Infidels learn from history and from their mistakes and unfortunately in many cases failed to read the section of the NT that preaches loving thy neighbor as thyself. Muslims do not learn from history or philosophy as they still live in the koranic dark ages of warmongering and dreams of world domination, all based on the mythical communications of one mytical "pretty, wingie, talking, thingie, named Gabriel to supposedly to a womanizing (11 wives) and illiterate Arab named Mohammed.
Dave, if you are a Muslim, scroll back to the Five Step Program to Deflaw Islam.
But it goes beyond these observations. It goes to the frauds pulled by the founders of contemporary religions. To correct the situation:
Muslims should burn their copies of the koran for the 1400 year old con job that is pulled on them daily by the imams and ayatollahs. Christians should burn their copies of the NT for the 2000 year old con job that has been perpetuated on them by popes, bishops, priests, ministers and evangelicals. And Jews should burn their copies of the OT/Torah for the 6000 year old con job pulled on them by their past and current rabbis.
Seriously dude, do a search on how many Christians & non-muslims have been killed by muslims all over the world..
There have been almost 16,000 (muslim) terrorist attacks since 9/11. Over 270,000,000 (yes, million) non-muslims have been killed by muslims since the "religion" of islam started.
You either have your facts wrong or are trying to lead us astray.
WHAT'S YOUR POINT? WHAT ABOUT THE 3000 NON-MUSLIMS? WHY AREN'T THEY BUILDING CHURCHES AND TEMPLES FOR THEM? WHY ARE THEY JUST TALKING ABOUT THE VICTORY MOSQUE? THIS IS A DISGRACE!!! NO MORE MOSQUES ANYWHERE IN THE WEST!
Hey, if you dont like the religious freedom this country was built upon, you can move. Live free or die loses its meaning when you have to preface it with "but only if you're a christian."
The mosque has nothing to do with religious freedom:
1. No where in the constitution is there the right to build any house or worship anyplace one wants
2. Islam does not believe in a separation of church and state
3. The mosque is itself unconstitutional. The state Dept is using taxpayer money to promote the Imam's trip abroad to raise money for the mosque. A blatant disregard for the separation of church and state. The govt is directly promoting religion.
Make no mistakes, the left demands the Ground Zero Victory Mosque be built, because the left hates the USA.
Islam terrorists overseas kill more Muslims than than anyone else. They hate each other. they really hate other Muslims that live and work peaceable with non-Muslims. Mohammed didn't get famous until he had murdered thousands and then his religion took hold in the Middle East. When he lived peaceably in Medina he only had a few hundred followers. Both Christianity and Islam have violent roots of oppression and tyranny. Education helps breaks the bonds of ignorance and mindlessly following a dying cause.
yes! The most powerful thing you can do is to educate yourself and other about Islam. It is the only way for us to survive as a society. If we all understand the threat to freedom and democracy that Jihad and Sharia law pose we can come up with a hopefully peaceful solution to the problems. I recommend this site;
citizenwarrior dot commercial
I suppose that the three hundred poor Muslim souls who died in 9/11, to us are considered innocent victims. To radical Islam, they died for the cause, like so many suicide bombers. Therein lies the problem, and pretty well says it all. The question is, what is the cause again ??
Beyond 9/11:
Operation Iraqi Freedom- The 24/7 Sunni-Shiite centuries-old blood feud currently being carried out in Iraq, US Troops killed in action, 3,481 and 924 died in non-combat, 97,172 – 106,047 Iraqi civilians killed as of 8/10/2010 mostly by Sunni and Shiite suicide bombers- And Islam is a peaceful religion????
According to Islam these people died in Jihad and will go to paradise so that is why the families are not screaming bloody murder like the rest of us. And that is why the rest of the Muslims say nothing in protest. Want to know more? I recommend this site;
citizenwarrior dot com
I would like to make two points-
The first being that Obama is absolutely correct in that we cannot sacrifice our values of freedom and block any kind of religious expression. Like flag burners- I despise what they do, but those who would stop them are truly far more dangerous.
The second point being "What are the Muslims thinking?" Should we have erected a McDonalds’ 2 blocks away from the Hiroshima's ground zero in 1954? Should I wave my American flag in front of my German neighbor’s yard on every May 7th? NO! Just because the Constitution gives me the freedom to do it doesn’t mean I’m not a tasteless schmuck.
In a time when the Muslim faith is viewed with such negativity, it would behoove them to quietly and respectfully choose another sight. Shoving it in our face is like having Mel Gibson as a Public Relations rep.
Nuf said.
Please bear with me; this is significant. A few decades ago, the Nazi Party members in the Chicago, Illinois area requested a permit for a march and rally which was denied. The ACLU jumped to their defense and there was all kinds of talk about "Freedom of Speech" and the "Right to Peaceably Assemble." LOST IN THE REPORTING WAS THE LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION OF THE PLANNED MARCH – right through a predominately Jewish Residential Area in Skokie, Illinois where Halocaust survivors lived. Not usually mentioned in all the preaching about "freedom of speech" was the FACT that the Nazi Party, like numerous others, had frequently been granted permits to demonstrate & rally – ON THE PLAZA ACROSS FROM CITY HALL. They weren't just exercising their right of free speech; they wanted to terrorize the residents. Most of us decent people wondered about the RIGHTS OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS TO BE SAFE IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS? No one was denying their constitutional right to express their views, repugnant as they were.
This is a christian nation. We don't need Islam. We never did and we never will. Muslims care about their mother countries in the middle east first and America last. Go back from whence you came and build your mosque there.
point that out in the constitution.
Bossman114,
"This is a christian nation"? Hmm, someone forgot to tell the Founding Fathers that...read this from the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli:
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
Jefferson on adding "Jesus Christ" to the VA freedom of religion act:
The insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.
You know, Thomas Jefferson, one of your Christian Founding Fathers?
This is, in no way, a christian nation. This is a secular nation and may it forever stay that way.
See that is where you are wrong. This is not a Christian nation, we are not a theorcracy, we are a democracy, so far anyway. This is an American nation and all religions are welcome.
If BossMan114 had half a brain he/she would realize that the overwhelming majority of Muslims don't live in the middle east, but Indonesia, and oh yeah the constitution which your ilk quotes and supposedly defends provides the right to worship as one pleases, regardless of their faith.
@BossMan
I'm sure the Muslim soldiers buried at Arlington thank you for recognizing their sacrifice for our country. Shame on you.
Just sayin'
Over my dead body...if it's up to them!
The Headline says"New Yorks Bloomberg We are all Muslim", no where in the article is Bloomberg quoted as saying" we are all Muslim". Why would you put that faleshood in the headline ? Trying to anger people? Don't misquote people!
I don't know a lot about the context of these comments but I have to say that the guy continues to impress me. I have a bad feeling his comments are going to limit his political career but I admire the man for having the courage to say what needs to be said in the way that it needs to be said.
If we are all Muslims why doesn't Michael Bloomberg put on a burqa while making his pronouncement ?
What a great showing of solidarity it would be for him to align himself with the millions of women around the world who are living far far less than equal lives in societies where male supremacist religions are powerful.
Time to let the bell of freedom ring for all women.
You are absolutely right. His espousal of that silly first amendment. How about we have it repealed?
Then you will have the right to shut up.
Patty, your comments reflect an ignorance that is heartbreaking. Muslims didn't create 9/11. Terrorists pretending to be Muslim created 9/11. Suicide in Islam is a sin, as is killing of innocent people – the hijackers are destined for hell. Those terrorists represent Islam the same way the KKK represents Christians. Should I blame Christians for all racism in this country? By your reasoning, Christians went around lynching black people and harassing Catholics and Jews – not KKK members. And, you certainly don't speak for all 9/11 families. Plenty of 9/11 families support building the mosque. Have you read the Quran? Where does it say that Muslims are to kill nonbelievers, just for existing? Killing innocent people is a grave offense to Islam. Don't spew hatred unless you can get your facts straight.