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 The ruins of a mosque in Joplin, Missouri, smolder after a fire early Monday.
August 6th, 2012
04:54 PM ET
Missouri mosque destroyed in second fire in a monthBy the CNN Wire Staff (CNN) - A mosque in Joplin, Missouri, was burned to the ground early Monday, just over a month after an attempted arson at the Islamic center, officials said. Authorities are investigating the cause of the latest fire. The mosque's security cameras were destroyed in the blaze, according to Sharon Rhine of the Jasper County Sheriff's Office. "This incident should not stop us from worshiping our God," one member of the Islamic Society of Joplin told CNN affiliate KYTV. "We are going to find a place probably to continue our service to God." Kimberly Kester, another member, said the blaze was so intense that the building's bricks were still sizzling hours after the fire. Carl Junction Fire Chief Bill Dunn called it a "complete loss." Though investigators haven't determined the cause, Kester suspects it to be another incident of arson. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories "I think this act of hate will bring us together," she told CNN iReport. On July 4, surveillance video caught a man approaching the mosque and throwing "an ignited object" on the roof, causing minor exterior damage, according to the FBI. The FBI was offering a combined reward of $15,000 for information leading to the suspect arsonist in that incident.
Kester said the mosque was a target of other acts of vandalism. In September of 2008, a sign at the mosque was set on fire and was also determined to be arson, according to CNN affiliate KODE. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called for increased police protection at other places of worship in the wake of the fire and is offering a $10,000 reward for information on the latest incident. The city of Joplin was the site of a monster tornado that ripped through the area in 2011. At least 161 people were killed and miles of businesses, homes and schools were destroyed. Kester said she is confident the community resolve shown after that devastating storm will again be present as the mosque and its members look to rebuild. "Joplin survived such a devastating storm and we came together. We can all come together and build a great community once again," Kester said. The mosque's burning comes as an Islamic center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, prepares to open for the first time after years of legal wrangling, vandalism and anti-Muslim sentiment. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter The controversy erupted in 2010, when planning commissioners approved an expansion project at the existing mosque. The construction site has been vandalized several times, including an arson attack in 2010 and "not welcome" spray-painted on a sign announcing the project. Federal authorities have charged a Texas man with calling in a bomb threat to the center before last year's anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro is awaiting its certificate of occupancy - the final step needed to open. CNN's Darrell Calhoun and Jareen Imam contributed to this report.
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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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Once more. In America, there is Freedom of Religion. When you deny one religion, you deny them all. I like living in America, I like being free to worship (or not) where I want. Letting a religion worship isn't going to turn the country into a theocracy, that's where all Americans can agree, because every 4 years we have the ability to overthrow our government peacefully and if anyone tries to turn us into a theocracy, we can vote em out.
That's a nice thought, but we were forced to accept a president by the Supreme Court. His 8 years of theocracy caused creationism to take hold in schools, a failed education policy, two wars, a "big brother" program that would have horrified Orwell, and an incredible deficit. Eight years prior to that, the deficit was reduced and government was made smaller, only to have all of that work undone by his successor.
People like Just call me Lucifer and sherri990 are really people at the bottom of the barrel... uneducated, dumb, racists and if Christian (God Bless????), are really not practicing Christian beliefs... there is nothing Christian in anything they have said. They are our version of the American Taliban... stereotyping whole groups of people, not wanting to educate themselves (probably not more than a high school education if that) and showing intolerance to anything different than them... gee don't they sound like our own home-brewed Taliban? "Talibans" serve no worthy function in this life and should take all measures and eliminate themselves.
I would mostly agree, but regarding
"are really not practicing Christian beliefs"
This is nothing new. It may have not been as bad when you were growing up, but there have been many times in history back to say – oh, my – back to the beginning of Christianity when Christians were very un-Christ-like. Let's see the various inquisitions were in the middle, so maybe we should start there. Well, you see my point. But yes, Christian extremism is way out of control in the US currently imho.
Jesus loves the little children.......ALL the children of the world
They are delicious after all
The ignorant rant about what they can't comprehend and it's obvious some of these bloggers can't comprehend the difference between a religions belief and some of it's extremistts. Jesus would not burn anyone's place of worship. Your not being Christian if you do. Some Missourians have become intolerant and hateful.
Arson is a crime! I am a Christian! I am of German Jewish desent, and Hitler was not a christian! He was full of hate! Jesus taught us to love! The only hate allowed is hating sin! Not the sinner! Also, I am from the Joplin area and at least 2/3 of the dr's in our area are of middle eastern desent. If you hate because of race good luck if you get sick+go to the hospital! I have had my life saved several times by just such people! Where are true Christians today? I beleve Christ is the only way to heaven, but we must show His love,compassion+mercy in order to be what we are to be!
@mom of 5,
Hitler certainly did not live by Jesus' teachings but he was rasied Catholic and used religion to get the German people behind him. He frequently spoke of God (in a Christian context) in his speeches. Hitler would have been nothing without the support of ordinary Christian Germans – Catholics and Lutherans alike.
And yes, I agree with you, arson is a crime and I wonder where the true followers of Jesus are too.
to sh04....again with your nose up in the air. There's is tolerance and then there is stupidity. Sadly, you and zeke (probably another snooty Canadian) and alot of Americans don't see the threat. Muslims are muslims, period. They are all alike. Now go ahead and post another snooty, I'm better and smarter then everyone because I'm Canadian, post. Your arrogance is priceless.
Gee Sherri – if all Muslims are the same then I guess all Christians are terrorists (see history of Northern ireland) and torturers (see Spanish Inquisition) and Pedophiles (see Catholic Church scandal)
You are f*****g stupid Sherri990. What makes you say "all muslims are the same"? Are you one of these brain dead people that still thinks Islam is a race? I followed Islam all my life. I was born and raised in America and im as white as a white person can get. (not literally but im white), So what does that make me huh? I haven't blown up a school, church, market etc. So I think your theory is extremely flawed. Why don't you learn something about religion, maybe go back to school and actually get an education before you make stupid idiotic posts. BTW from beginning of 2009 to 2011, of all the terrorist attacts committed around the world, ONE PERCENT WAS COMMITTED BY ISLAM EXTREMISTS! You want to take a guess which religion leads the way?? You ignorant ****
sherry990: I am not replying as a Canadian, I am replying as a Muslim. I am a 29 year old Muslim born and raised in Canada who's also a lawyer and who spends her days helping people of all faiths..including yours. Do you see me as a threat?
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/02/13091099-fbi-offers-15000-reward-for-suspected-mosque-arsonist-captured-on-tape?lite
That's a link to the suspect last month.
IF WE ALL UNLEASHED OUR INNER MONSTER AHEAD OF THE TIMES THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE..:0)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw_zVjLhzcU
How sad people are still uneducated and so naive. And to top it, it happens in a democratic country where the people are meant to be civilised. Religion doesn't kill people, people and cultures do.
Religions give motivation.
ALL HAS TO DO WITH THE COLONIALIST!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8XSYpPwPrk
Religion is a big time sucker-upper. It makes one hard-of-thinking and scared. It takes time away from one's life that could be spent being more productive or making greater contributions to society. It keeps people from being fully responsible for their actions since they know their religion will excuse them when necessary. It divides people.
Yeah religions motivate people to be good. The select few misunderstand religion and use it. No religion in the world condones violence. But 2 days on the trot only in america eh
@Revealed
No religion condones violence? Are you high?
I did not want to assume.. but my asumptions were right, you skipped school or dropped out (limited intelligence). No longer replying to you till you get educated.
@Revealed
Wow, talk about dishonest. Take a look at all of Deuteronomy in the bible, or Leviticus. The Quran, even ancient Greek and Roman gods supposedly wanted their followers to make war against eachother (followers of Ares and Athena). The entire purpose for the Norse was to die in battle to have a place in Valhalla.
Revealed said: "No religion in the world condones violence."
christarded! actually, even if you are not a christian, you are still christarded (hard-of-thinking).
Christianity for one condones violence. (Oh, tee-hee, this is one of those rare moments when the bible-thumper says something to not make you think the bible and the word of god are not one and the same. lol.)
The Tea Party types have been having a field day.
Insurance fraud.
I smell a Christard.
Intellectual fraud.
MAYBE THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS???....[666-999]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPDirIhy5Zs
well the Show Me state certainly showed us that they, like Wisconsin, have hateful people in their midst. Now will they show the Sikh community human kindess and reach out to them?
ITS ASHAMED HOW WE ALL JUST CAN'T BE FRIENDS!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lThuhz45pDI
There's a difference. Here in Wisconsin, this was one lone gunman. But in Missouri, there were repeated arson and vandalism threats. If it were simply one person, the FBI would have caught him.
"Only CNN attempted continuous coverage yesterday, and I'm grateful that they tried. Yet that coverage was so generally devoid of Sikh voices that it just reminded me how ill-equipped the media are. The "expert" they turned to most often was the sincere but inadequate Eric Marrapodi of CNN's Belief Blog. He kept saying that Sikhs were not Muslims, but were often mistaken for Muslims and "unfairly targeted." The first time he said it, I thought, wow, that's unfortunate phrasing and he'll stop using it after he realizes or someone points out the implication that Muslims can be "fairly" targeted. But no one ever got a clue. Islamaphobia was never mentioned, much less condemned for the ignorance and violence that it spreads."
an great article you should read about the "unfair" and uneducated coverage we tend to give people of other communities in this country except white people.
http://jezebel.com/5932247/not-senseless-not-random-the-deadly-mix-of-race-guns-and-madness
just another white person here.
WE ALL SUPPOSED TO LOVE THE LORD!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVtL4r6rOnI
You need to learn to read for comprehension...
The phrase "unfairly targeted" refers to sikhs not muslims. And any peron or group may be "fairly targeted" depending upon the context of why they are being targeted.
Real sick people on the loose.
They may be sick... but they're all mine.
Guarantee you it's a Republican Christian who firebombed the Mosque.
Yeah.... the Holy Lunatics. In the words of one of my personal heroes, Stonewall Jackson... I quote... "Kill 'em all". Burn every church, every temple, mosque, every Q'uran, and every bible. Pleased to meet you... hope you guess my name.
Wow I'm not even from the U.S. and am embarrassed by the lack of education and ignorance of some of the people that live there.
Ignorance is everywhere. Don't be ignorant thinking your country doesn't have it as well.
Yeah American's don't value education. Most think that their local church provides the best education there is....it's pretty sad.
Yes, every country does inhibit some degree of ignorance; however, in Canada we are much more tolerable of each other's faiths and appreciate each other's differences. I personally have neither ever heard of any place of worship being burned down in Canada as a "hate crime' nor have I ever heard anyone write or even mutter the types of comments that I am reading today. Real sad.
Did they fly planes into buildings and murder thousands of your people? You need to shut up. All mosques need to be burnt to the ground. There are way too many of them all over the USA. They are nothing more than fronts for meeting places to plan more terrorist attacks. Burn them all!
The acts of Muslim Jihadists, fundamental Islamists all over the globe can also be attributed to lack of education and ignorance. Don't you think so?
to sh04....Canadians like you make me sick. With your nose up in the air like you are better than everyone else. How about if your perfect country of tolerance accept all the muslims and their mosques and the bagage that goes with them. Then let's see how high that nose is. Fool....
@sherri990 you really are the TOOL of the DAY!!! They were Muslim extremists, Extremists!!! Please look up the word.
@sherri990 you really are the TOOL of the DAY!!! They were Muslim extremists, Extremists!!! It's in the dictionary.
To sherri990, the only fool between the two of us is you which illustrates my point. Please go read a book and take a much needed history lesson. Muslims have been needlessly murdered each and every day for many many years all over the world by your country, before 9/11. However due to the fact that your only source of knowledge is what you hear in the mainstream media, you probably didn't know that.
@ sherri990, You must be a Romneyite!!! It's the only explanation.
to sherri990 I also like how you state the word "tolerance" as if it is such a horrible thing for people to have..your stupidity has made my day
sh04 is without a doubt an educated canuck. Which means he was potty trained at 40 years old.
I bet a million to one that a christian did it.
I'll take that bet, for $1. After they find the person, Christians everywhere will point out that although he calls himself a christian and attends a church regularly, he is somehow not really a christian after all, because he did something bad (and got caught).
In today's world, when someone disagrees with your truth, it isn't true anymore. So... I'll win the bet, because Christians will disagree with you regardless of what the facts say.
This is so sad! I wish there was some way that I could offer my support to the members of the mosque so they knew that all Americans aren't as narrow minded or bigoted as the arsonist(s).
YOUR CHANCES OF BEING KILLED BY A MUSLIM ANYWHERE IN THIS WORLD ARE 1 IN 4.5 MILLION. YOUR CHANCES OF BEING KILLED BY YOUR FELLOW AMERICAN IN AMERICA ARE 1 IN 18000. WHO ARE THE TROUBLE MAKERS??? LOOK IN THE MIRROR FOLKS. THESE FACTS ARE COURTESY OF THE CIA 2012.
Take your turbin off, where did you get these stats from??
American's don't like bottom lines. They think bottom lines are gay. America is still in the closet and doesn't want to come out to the fact that we're more of the problem than the brown people are.
87-88 % of the humans on earth who are armed with guns are Americans. Wow. That's just great. Thank you Jeebus.
Yeah, but those stats are changing daily... as we all know those muslims breed like rats. God Bless.
Bottom Line: If you believe anything the C.I.A. puts out I have some ocean front property in Nebraska I'll sell you real cheap.