The First Amendment

[nadinbrzezinski]

It seems that some folks, here and in other places of the US, don't understand what it is. So in an effort to illuminate the issues over Cordoba house to the FEW who are having trouble, let me offer this.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Now Let me put this little unimportant piece of writing in context. It did not come out of the well meaning values of the Founders. Oh no. It came from the 100 years war and the 30 years war. These two events were still in the near historic experience, or in very few cases direct family experience. Those who wrote this understood the importance of freedom of religion, They also understood the importance of separation of church \ state and quite frankly some of it was driven by the wish to pay less money, in this case to churches that espoused doctrines that they did not necessarily believe in.

As to Muslims who might come across this. Salam Aleikhem, and may god be with you. My apologies for the crazee that has infected this country. As a Jew, and a Daughter of the holocaust I realize that protecting your rights to build the Cordova House, or any other (locally) Muslim center is not just about you. It is about me, and every other minority in this country. Today it is you the crazee is going after, but at one time it was me... and easily it could be any of us. So in this we should stand more than just shoulder to shoulder against the crazee. After all every time they go after ANY group in this group, they are going after all of us.

Salam Aleichem, and Mimshala... go in peace.

Nadin

PS to those who still don't get it, re-read the amendment, if need be pull out a dictionary.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I applaud your posting this!

And also the historical background.

We get so caught up in stuff that every now and then it's a very good idea to look back, to refresh ourselves with the original language.

Well done, and I thank you.

Recommend.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Oh you welcome

Majority Leader Reid should also get a refresher.

[malaise]

2. Excellent post

Rec

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Thanks

[Cali_Democrat]

5. K&R

[spanone]

6. K&R..

[jotsy]

7. Rec'd

I won't pretend to understand any of this madness. When I see people here who are clearly rooted in other cultures, I always view it first as an opportunity to learn.

Peace to you Miss Nadanny and thanks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Oh you welcome

and you want to understand it, go get a book called "war a force that gives us meaning." Chris Hedges does very well in explaining this little virus that separates populations. 9.11 is not over in some ways... and his writings around that time still apply, and they are very approachable.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

9. It should't apply to corporations.

they are not "people" (no matter what the clown court says). Corps (or media owned by them) should not be entitled to "freedom of speech". Only human beings - people should be entitled. "Freedom of the Press" is simply freedom to lie, twist facts, and wholly ignore and omit other facts - all to protect and enhance corprat bottom lines and influence, and all resulting in ruined lives, lost lives, and destroyed countries and economies. Um. No. We need media ethics and integrity laws and the Fairness Doctrine needs to be reinstated and reinforced.

Now, as far as the big, bad terrible, mosque NEAR ground zero - it's freedom of religion and yep, covered by the 1st Amendment. The American Taliban need to just get over it and stop their fearmongering.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. The amendment doesn't say it does

For that you have to look at a Court's clerk for the beginning of that one, in the 1880s, involving some trains...

I am also willing to bet, knowing what I know of the Enlightenment, that the founders would look at us and go... Distinguished Gentlemen what possessed you to do that?

Of course there is also the complete and full disregard for oh 100 years of precedent.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

12. Well it very obviously and unfortunately does...corprats

have more freedom of speech than you or I do. Ruin someone's life with lies and see what happens to you. You'd be sued to Hell and back (libel, slander, etc). But the media does it to people every day and they get away with it. Why? They're owned by corporations.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Well then, why do anything then?

:throws hands in air:

[proteus_lives]

11. I always go with what Thomas Jefferson said.

"If it neither breaks my nor picks my pocket, what does it concern me if my neighbor believes in 20 gods or none?"

I might of mangled it a bit but the spirit remains the same.

[DonCoquixote]

13. First, they came for the Mosques

Anyone who thinks the Xtians are not planning to use this to shut rival churches, synagogues, or mosques down is blind.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. Agreed fundies (don't care what faith, yes that includes parties)

are just dangerous at multiple levels.

[SlimJimmy]

16. Here's a link everyone might find

useful. It describes the Muslim empire in Spain from about 700-1500 AD. I really found it a fascinating read. And I believe it is from where the name "Cordoba House" originates.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/spain_1.shtml

[VMI Dem]

17. Of course they have a right to build there. I won't comment on the wisdom of doing so.

[Zephie]

18. As a Pagan, every day I ask...

How long before the religious reich comes after our Groves? I've actually seen a resurgence of conservative pagans recently who when asked that question claim "it will never happen" in the same breath that they scream about the building of the Mosque in NY.