 |
|
|
|
 Surveying the destroyed Joplin mosque.
August 8th, 2012
01:39 PM ET
Christian college student's idea leads to rally for burned mosqueBy Josh Levs, CNN (CNN) - When 20-year-old Ashley Carter heard about a mosque burned to the ground in her town this week, she was shocked. "I was very saddened," she told CNN on Wednesday. "I thought it was very evil." So Carter, a student at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri, texted a friend, suggesting they organize an event "promoting acts of love."
But quickly, the idea changed: They would organize a "rally of people coming together, from all walks of life, all religions, a really diverse group of people trying to promote this radical love." She called Kimberly Kester, spokeswoman for the Islamic Society of Joplin, whose worship house serving about 50 families in the southwest Missouri city burned down Monday. Investigators have not determined the cause, but the mosque has been attacked in the past. My Faith: After my mosque was torched Kester supported the idea. So Carter and some of her friends created the plan for the rally and announced it on a Facebook page. The next day, Tuesday, word began to spread. By Wednesday morning, more than 400 people had posted that they would attend the event, scheduled for Saturday, August 25. Carter said she was inspired by "my love for Jesus. And I know that Jesus calls us to love people." "With everything that's been happening in the news this week" - which includes a shooting Sunday at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin that left six worshipers and the gunman dead - "I was pretty discouraged," Carter said. "Regardless of what you believe, I think everybody's entitled to loving whoever." Kester told CNN she and other members of the mosque plan to attend the rally. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter The response to the burning from people throughout the community has been "outstanding," she said. "There were representatives from different churches, different organizations at the site that afternoon speaking to the Imam. People have been calling anyone that they know that has been involved with the mosque, offering to help." St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Joplin is hosting an iftar - a meal eaten by Muslims after dark during Ramadan - on Wednesday evening. The Council on American-Islamic Relations announced that speakers will include members of the interfaith community. Sponsoring groups include the South Joplin Christian Church, the United Hebrew Congregation, the First Community Church and Peace Lutheran Church, CAIR said. Representatives of various Islamic groups will attend, Kester said. They will discuss the future and what provisions are needed to continue Sunday school and prayers. The mosque is holding daily prayers at someone's house now, and expects to rent a new place as soon as this week, although numerous religious institutions have offered their facilities, Kester said. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories "We're hoping for security and that type of support from our community," she added. Members say this is an opportunity to kind of start over and improve on things that we've always wanted to improve upon, like our security system or Sunday school facilities," she said. "It's a time for us to unite and focus on supporting each other. And yes, it's a tragedy ... but we want to focus on coming together and building a stronger community." No final decision has been made on whether the mosque will move to a new location, but there is a consensus to move inside the city limits, Kester said. "We feel that the response time for fire employees would be less if were in the city limits and it would offer us a little bit more protection and security." No definite plans will be made before an investigation is completed into the burning, said the mosque's treasurer, Navid Zaidi. "We need to get this crime solved, before we do anything." He said he hopes the rally is safe and that authorities keep everyone protected. Assuming the fire was arson, the perpetrator "is out there - he is loose," Zaidi said. Zaidi described the support coming from the community as "tremendous." A fundraising effort to help rebuild the mosque is off to an auspicious start. The website of the official campaign shows a goal of $250,000, with more than $40,000 pledged by Wednesday afternoon. A video for the campaign refers to the mosque as "our refuge in a crazy and hectic world." It shows what the mosque looked like, followed by images of the charred wreckage. Arsalan Iftikhar, an international human rights lawyer and founder of TheMuslimGuy.com, tweeted that he will donate a dollar for every retweet of his message. He quickly got hundreds of retweets. Iftikhar is a frequent contributor to CNN.com. Carter says she expects donations to be taken at the rally. And anyone who wants to donate money to cover the costs of staging the rally can through the Facebook page. Different kinds of bands will play, including religious bands, she said. And speakers will talk about "promoting love." "When there's an act of hate, you have a choice to make it something beautiful. So that's what this is all about: making things beautiful from things that aren't." –CNN's Anna-Lysa Gayle contributed to this report.
« Previous entryAmerican athletes tweet God, Bible at Olympics
|
  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.  |
|
|
|
People like Carter make the world a wonderful place. May God Bless You!
Although there is no excuse for this arson, I don't believe muslims in Indonesia, pakland, etc showed the same sympathy following numerous church burnings in islamiland.
These Muslims are American. Why should they be painted over by what goes on in Pakistan or Indonesia? Incidentally, Christmas is likely a national holiday in Indonesia, Muslim holidays aren't in the US.
"I don't believe muslims in Indonesia, pakland, etc showed the same sympathy"
Right, because we should base how we show sympathy for others on how much sympathy others show for us. The old Christian misnomer "Do unto others as they have done to you..."
Iblwza. fact is you did not need streei lights in lndonesia due to the burning churches. you are an imbecile with no concept of analogy. other parts of islamiland are even worse.
no repubs
no pc
This is what it's supposed to be about: Love and support. A community coming together and trying to make the best out of difficult challenges. The haters will not win, nomatter how many times they try. It's refreshing to see someone proclaim themselves to be inspired by Jesus, while remembering what the core of their beliefs are really about.
Ameem
This is my experience. Thank you.
Break the matrix of deception.
Atheists have strong minds. Their minds are not weakened by recycling make-believe thoughts over and over.
Because of this, atheists have more time to be productive and contribute to society.
Atheists take responsibility for their actions, and don't rely on make-believe things to absolve (and sometimes hide) their misdeeds.
Because atheists have strong minds (and know that there is no known spiritual force on this planet outside of our fabulous minds), there is no need to fear each other based on make-believe notions. We know all things that appear to be frightening at first sight (such as synchronized swimming) are either creations of man or nature.
It is written.
kindless.
Is an article about them coming together and helping each other the best place to make this point? There are plenty of other articles to do that on, considering this is the exception and not the rule.
You do make a good point, BK. The good intentions of the subjects of the article have not gone unnoticed. We will forward your recommendations to our distribution department.
Isn't this the same joplin that was hit by a tornado?
Sounds like they are due for another one.
Yes, it is the same Joplin.
I grew up in Joplin. Why on earth would you even say that Joplin is due for another tornado? Have some compassion. Maybe you could learn a lesson about loving people after reading this article.
I pray that Allah bless this city of Joplin and the good people who are now stepping forward. America is a much better place than even we realize. God Bless America
wish i could be there. this is something i would love to be a part of- all diff types of people coming together to do good, the way the world should be. well good luck nad the mosque burning is a tragedy.
"All we americans know that the white supremists have shrunken to almost nothing like the KKK. All lies like your posts."
The number of hate groups operating in the United States increased by 54 percent.
It's higher than that. here are hard numbers on the rise of hate in America. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, hate groups have increased 69 percent since 2000.
A "hate" group is defined as a group or movement that practices hate, hostility or violence towards another race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
There are hate groups in almost every state in the country – 84 of them in California, 65 in Georgia. Florida, New Jersey, and Texas round out the top 5 states with hate groups.
You know how it works: as you become an extremist it all seems normal, so of course the nutjobs begin to seem fewer than before. It's called drifting to the right.
A fact of reality is that hate groups and hate crimes blossom, like fungus not flowers, in tough economic times. See the rise of the Nazi's just after WWI or the lynching rates in the south during reconstruction. Every year in which cotton prices were high saw a decrease in lynchings from the previous year, the reverse was true when cotton prices fell.
Lol – I replied to that quote and am still wondering if (Jack, I think) meant shrunken in numbers, shrunken in naughtiness or they did their lifestyles actually cause all of them to physically shrink.
I would bet good cash money that Jack didn't have a clue what you meant.
Just kidding. I'm broke.
SconiGuz. Well since you DO NOT want to know about Islam, I am NOT going to tell you that Islam is: to Beleive in God (the only one god who created the heaven and earth, the one who created Adam and sent Noah Moses and Jesus) and sent Mohammed PBU as the final messanger with almost same message. Be Kind to your neighbour, love and respect your parent, be honest, do not lie, ..etc. We have more in Common than you think but Media brainwash you to think we are to get you. Peace!
As advanced as the world is, it's sad to see people who have so much hatred for something they know so little about. I suggest you all educated yourselves before making assumtpions and providing "facts" to the world. You couldn't sound any more ignorant.
HOW ABOUT YOU EDUCATE YOURSELF IN REALITY???
You first, Scuzzbutt.
Go over to your high school and get that GED, dear.
Wow, Sconnie, you make it all sound so appealing, what with the capslock and all....
sam, you funny.
Hehe.
One thing I know about Tom and Huebert. they hate Christians and support muslims. Agenda?
You don't even know how to post here, Jackwit.
@Jack,
actually we respect Christians who follow the Golden Rule along with Jesus' other teachings.
The self-professed "Christians" who preach hate for others (including other faiths) not so much.
It is clear where you stand.
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – Mahatma Gandhi
You know one thing and you don't even have that right. I support the victims in Joplin because they are american citizens who had their property destroyed by xenophobic bigots, nothing to do with their religion. Personally, their is little that would please me more than the disappearance of ALL religions so their is no foundation for saying support one over the other.
"“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – Mahatma Gandhi"
I wonder how Gandhi felt about his Hindus and his Muslims... Whether they were all an image of "perfection", or instead, unlike their religious icons?
@BlatentAtheist,
The Mahatma was assassinated by Hindu nationalists because he tried to restrain those Hindus who sought to opress Muslims who remained in post-part.tion India.
jack: you are a bigot and a coward.
Wow... It digusts me to live amongst "christians" that are so utterly racists and ignorant! I don't give a damn what religion you are whenever you celebrate another persons place of worship being burned to the ground your undeserving of the air you breathe to spew your hate! Muslims nor Islam caused 9/11!! Extremists did that! Just like Timothy McVeigh was an extremist.. Oh wait he was mentally ill.. isn't that what nice white americans are when they commit mass murder! I'll happily be an athiest and believe in Karma and true equality of all people over that vomit you call Christianity!!!!!!!!
@ angel lee! wow you are an idiot!!! you have no brain in your head! who the hell do you think you are!???? I honestly think that people like you need to jump in a big hole!!!! you are so close mindedand disgustining! Such A liberial! leave people and their religions alone! No one gets on your about being athesist do they!??? SO get over yourself and F*&^ OFF!
Wow. Are you Jack's little brother?
Actually she was very open minded until the last few words I though lol
And today's most stunning display of right wing wtf goes to 'god number 1!!!!!'
LOL!!! godnumber1 huh? Yep as I said "christian" right?! Hahaha.. I could care less about your religion or anyone elses. The difference between you and I is I care for all people as people! I don't let some ridiculous book and a group of hateful people tell me who I can love, what I should feel, or how to treat others.I love others no matter if they are gay/straight, black/white, Muslim/Hindu or rich/poor. Its about that single person. You "Christians" love to group an entire mass of people into one category! Notice the quotations, are there christians that actually practice what they preach.. Yes! But they are far and few between! Hypocrites is equated with Christianity for me so if you don't like it boo-hoo go pray on it!
Wow! It disgusts me to live around a presumptuous, self-righteous horse's *@@ who is so filled with guilt because of her own hatred and bigotry that she has to transfer it onto another group to make herself feel better. How dare you assume that the people who "disgust" you are Christians. Some of the most viscous posts on this site are from people who are apparently "enlightened liberals", including you. Where is that self-righteous anger when Christians are attacked and Churches are burned, which happens much more in this world than attacks on Muslims? Oh, that's right, they deserve it because they are neither smart nor politically correct like you, nor are they one of the current cherished minorities of the left. Who will you people be kissing up to once Muslims are no longer fashionable?
I will pray on it. I am sorry that you do not like Christians. I hope that some of the Christians around you will learn to show you the love of Jesus.
Angel, you are my hero.
Yes "god number 1!!!" si clearly one of those types of pets you have to keep your eye on. Their always trying to go p00py outside their box.
Angel is an Idiot wrote: "Where is that self-righteous anger when Christians are attacked and Churches are burned"
All religion for weak-minded hard-of-thinking fools who aren't strong enough to take responsibility for their own actions and lives. Of course they are going to continue to do these things to each other. Politicians wrote all that garbage, so why would you think it would not be chock filled with agendas for wiping out your neighbors while you are smiling at them and telling them that you love them?
Judaism, Christianity and Islam come from within the lineage of Prophet Abraham. All three religions believe in one and same God. Bible, Torah and Quran have commonalities. In order for a Muslim to be a good Muslim, he or she must be a good Christian and a good Jew first. Islam encourages dialogues among these religions and condemns insulting or desecrating each others' doctrines and its followers.
Tell that to the muslims. they are the ones attcking and taking control of governments around the world then killing off the opposition.
Jack, do you know anything about any religion? Any other culture? Oh, wait, any culture at all?
Tom...I have evidence on my posts...what do you have...nothing.
@jack
Evidence of what, the fact that you are a xenophobic moron?
Huebert...Put up or shut up
Huebert, this doofus doesn't even have a job.
You're the one making claims, dink. You haven't produced anything but manure thus far.
Tom...I'm at work
@jack
OOOH you certainly put me in my place.
Sure you are. Watch out now, the grease in the fryers getting hot. Better put on your little hat, it's almost dinner time and you'll be busy asking if anyone wants fries with that.
One thing I know about Tom and Huebert. they hate Christians and support muslims. Agenda?
"One thing I know"? You mean there IS one? What is it? Your phone number?
Paul you sound like you are vary educated ...i agree with you 100%.
Jack, are you stealing from your employer by goofing around on the internet at work? That's unAmerican. Jack, why do you hate America?
A lot of people hate prejudice, bigotry, and shabby arguments in support of those things, Jack. That doesn't add up to supporting Islamic threats to your country.
I am an atheist but believe everyone has a choice to either worship or not. I think it is great that Joplin has rallied around the destroyed mosque, especially after what Joplin has gone through recently. The problem is, I don't belong to Facebook, so how can I send a donation to help in this cause? Through Paypal or mail? THANKS!
"If you would like to donate money to the "Neighbors" rally please send donations to:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HPXBLYJWZR8RL"
From the Facebook page link in the article (you don't need an account to see it.).
I dont know what link the poster above posted, but I wouldn't just donate to a random paypal link.
Here's the link for the proper donation page:
http://www.indiegogo.com/joplinmosqueofficial?c=home#team
Islam invading USA...........
In a big way. Did you know that Islamic radiclas have already stoned christians in Detroit recently as April of this year? You didn't hear about it because it was a Obama rally where Obama was using his muslim name to get votes.
Uh-huh. I'm sure you're telling the truth, Jackwit.
Tom...you're just a muslim propagandist that is pushing islam. you're worthless as an American and a traitor.
Ooooh. Guess you really have me all figured out, honey. You're just so smart!
How was summer school?
tom... I already read that lie.
Jack....don't listen to this Tom the muslim lover character. He's got his head so far up islam's a$$ that he, like the rest of them, can't tell reality anymore. It's all allah and death. He loves to talk down to people he doesn't know. Anybody that doesn't agree with islam is just a hateful, un-American bigot. Turns out he's the biggest anti-American bigot on this site. He's a muslim and they are always right. He's about two steps from beheading people that disagree with him like his buddies over in islam land.
Read WHAT "lie"?
Please. Anyone on here can see that you're some dumb sh!t kid who knows little about life and less about other cultures and beliefs.
Sweeties, I'm female. Not Muslim. Basically an atheist or at least agnostic.
So far, you're not doing very well at reading the tea leaves, dears. Perhaps you should go play a video game.
Tom... A girl named Tom... I guess I should have known. as far as muslim. if you act like one you are one.
Moron. If you act like one, you are one.
You might want to look up my screen name. It's from a nursery rhyme.
Are you really under the impression that everyone here is as dumb as you are and uses his/her real name?
"Did you know that Islamic radiclas have already stoned christians in Detroit recently as April of this year? "
Cite your source.
Look! All I'm saying is that EVIDENCE shows we've got to get the sand niggers and their putrid religion out of this country before it is too late.
I guess you're certifiably a nutjob, Jack.
Jack should be in a box.
Xenophobic racist paranoid nutjob convention on here today? Or is it mostly just Jack?
Jack: Shut the F up you dumb hick. Do the world a favor and jump off a truck.
http://frontpagemag.com/2012/adelman/stoned-dearborn-christian-speaks/
why do people ask someone else to cite their source when they have access to the internet too?
The same reason they ask YOU to produce evidence for the existence of God when you make the claim there is one, you putz. If one claims something is true the onus is on the claimant to provide the proof. When are you going to get that through your head?
And Bill, don't you find it odd that not a single mainstream news source ran this story? Do you think MAYBE there's a good reason for that?
Excuse me, but I have to ask. What would that reason be? I'm well aware of the problems in Dearborn with impeding free speech, etc.. So when the local Muslims start throwing things at the Christians, exactly why didn't the police stop them and instead escort the Christians away from the area and secondly, why did the msm not cover it? I'm sure you have the answer.
I have no idea. All I know for sure is that my crotch is rotting. It itches, too.
The smell? Glad you asked. It's the best birth control known to man. I'm Aziz's third wife, and he hasn't touched me in a month.
While the troll is busy worrying about my nether regions, let me attempt a guess at why, John. Because it didn't happen the way it appears. Because there were circu mstances that weren't made clear in the video. Because it was staged. Any number of reasons. Had the incident occurred as the right-wing rags are reporting it, it would have made national news. It didn't, because the reports are inaccurate.
Tom rejects the Bible as evidence of God;s love for us and rejects news articles as evidence of events. I mean really we just can't prove anything to her she doesn't want to know about.
Have you produced evidence of either, Bill? Doesn't look like it.
If you can find an article in a mainstream news source, great. I haven't seen one yet.
The bible isn't proof of anything.
Bill, did you even bother to look at the site you posted as a source? Do so, and then you can tell us all how reliable, unbiased, and neutral it is.
Why don't you list the Tom approved and unbiased news sources for us so we can submit pre-approved information
Or here's an idea. Why not do you're own research. It takes about 20 seconds to find multiple news sources on this topic. Surely you can withhold your vile tongue long enough to look up your own information
Aljazeera reports that the Sikhs ahve been having wide spread harrassement since 9-11. What a lie, I for one have nothing against the sikh's and have never seena harrassment against Sikhs. I do favor the government removing muslims. Aljazeera is another muslim propagandist lying organization.
How stupid can you be? Do you think there is ANY intent to "remove" Muslims from the US?
Why don't you remove yourself if you're so bothered by diversity? Go elsewhere. You obviously hate what this country stands for.
The religion can be outlawed if it's determined to be a enemy of the state.
Then go to court and prove that. I'm sure the SCOTUS is just waiting for a great intellect like you.
You might spend some time on Al Jazeera, Jack. Broaden your horizons and all that. They are pretty even-handed and a good balance to pro-Western news services.
Jack – think a little before you post. You "have never seen a harrassment against Sikhs", so therefore it doesn't exist? By that reasoning: I've never seen anyone murdered, so I guess nobody has ever killed another person. Logic fail.
Hey Jack, you know this one's for you:
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestoryamericas/2012/08/20128843415332617.html
Tom...Does their report on the Sikhs sound fair and balanced? I'm not against the sikhs but at least they shoukld tell the truth. There hasn't been on going hjarrssment against the sikhs. No one hates the sikhs that i know of except the dude who did that. They called it the rise of white supremists. All we americans know that the white supremists have shrunken to almost nothing like the KKK. All lies like your posts.
All lies like everything you don't want to hear, Jack?
Jeff...Did the Sikhs say they were harrassed before in other places? No
Jack wrote: "I do favor the government removing muslims."
And, you mean like send them on vacation? Please detail what you propose.
and then Jack wrote: "All we americans know that the white supremists have shrunken to almost nothing like the KKK."
Do you mean in numbers or like in the level of their naugtiness??
"The religion can be outlawed if it's determined to be a enemy of the state."
Christianity occasionally acts like an enemy of the state...
Late at night I do wonder what all those FEMA camps are for. Then I have to take another pill to get to sleep. First I give it a good rub. That's relaxing.
You must be still suffering, poor little thing. What was it that I did to you? Hurt your feelings?
this is a great story and really speaks to the best of what the concept of christian love is all about. now I'm curious how fast aljazeera will pick up on ths story - as they were very quick to pick up on the mosque burning. personally I feel there is a double standard in aljazeera reporting - they are quick to pick up on violence or issues affecting Islam or mosques in an open and free democratic country, but rarely touch on issues of faith outside of Islam (except for the occasional mention of copts which is its own thing). i would like to see a nice expose about why Saudi Arabia continues to prohibit the open practice of other faiths or allow the construction of worshop houses of other faiths. Where are the evangelicals howling in protest that americans do business with the Saudi's and won't even alow christian clergy to enter the country to openly perform a service? Oh, that's right they have oil ... the world is full of hypocracy. But at least in heart of one woman in Joplin, and others that she's touched, a light is shining that many could learn from.
Watch as the naive people and even naive Christians invite the enemy in to destroy them. Not today, but ten to twenty years from now.
You must really enjoy being a useless troll.
Jack is young, but he has fire. Watch him and his friends. In ten, twenty years they'll burn the world.
No, no, better name: Scuzzlebutt and the Jackwits.
Oralism... Im not young unless you're older than I. I've been around a long time and I know what I'm talking about. I don't pull things out my behind, I've witnessed them or have evidence.
Nah. You're just a punk. You haven't 'been around a long time' unless you think 20 years is a long time, junior.
Jack wrote "Watch as the naive people and even naive Christians invite the enemy in to destroy them." Who are you saying will destroy who? It looks as though you are saying the Christians are going to destroy the enemy, but based on your other posts, I would have thought you meant the opposite.
Jack wrote "I don't pull things out my behind". I am an atheist, but I do view that as a blessing.
As opposed to atheists shoving it in. Now I'm beginning to understand. It's hard for a Muslim, you know.
Poor Jack. He really is tho thenthative.
Most of these posters are totally naive and are Christian haters. I'm not religious but I can palinly see what's going on. All this supporting Muslims and knocking christians is going to come back and bite you. You can tell someones agenda by their posts. I'll admit I don't want the Muslim religion in this country. I have no problem with the muslim people but only if they continue to support the radical islamsts. Most are extremists
Copying and pasting the same thing over and over?
It's like the rosary! To some it's profound, to most it's just stupid.
William Demuth... I hope you hate it because, it's nothing but the truth and the truth hurts.
Really – cutting and pasting and not even bothering to fix the misspelling?
Jack wrote "I'm not religious but I can palinly see " Lol. You know, I believe you probably do see like Palin. First time I've seen the elusive, adverbial Palin...lol.
But on a serious note, Jack, you could probably make some serious dough if you can convince some hollywood producers to make The Hills Have Eyes IV somewhere in your area.
Jack, bigotry or prejudice in any form is more than a problem; it is a deep-seated evil within our society.
A great example of positive Christian action... thanks to all the Joplin community who supports this effort.
I hope the towel heads torch the whole damn town.
Get the damn Olymics off the tube for a few days, and REALLY freak out the Jeebus freaks.
My sentiments exactly!
Let me clarify, I was responding to snowdogg. I live close to Joplin and I admire this effort a great deal.
New skinhead band name: Scuzzbucket and the Witless Wonders.
You've been drinking, troll.
Apparently not as much as you have, troll.
Are you having fun being a sc umbag?
Yes. Hell yes. i can keep being a sc umbag for as long as you can.
I'm not BEING a scu mbag, ass wipe. I'm posting. You're free to do the same. But if you're such a little pansy that you have to do it using someone else's name, you deserve to be ridiculed.