The Daily Show: You Can Build A Catholic Church Next To A Playground -- But Should You? (VIDEO)

The missionaries in Afghanistan were simply ministering to the human needs of the Afghan people. They knew you can't directly try to convert Muslims (that is a killing offense in Muslim countries). In other countries, missionaries do actually try to convert people-----freely and voluntarily not under threat of death as some Muslims do. See the difference?

Hobbes

Long time no see. Good luck on the start of law school at LSU.

I don't have a lot of time now, but I thought I would respond to a couple of things.

1. Yes, there was a time when (professed) Christians were involved in true atrocities. BUT....you need to get out of the Middle Ages and into the 21st century. I haven't noticed any major atrocities by fringe Christians, let alone atrocities that are done in the name of Christ OR with tacit approval of Christian leaders. Any of the things you mentioned are far outside the core of Christian teachings and morality.

2. As to moving from the "middle" to the "left"----that brought a smile to my face! From previous discussions with you I would put you firmly in the camp of what Gibbs called the "professional left". You know, the folks who want Canadian style health care....today. Military budget reduced to zero or close to it. And a lefty like Kucinich as President (well, maybe not Kucinich....he is too "moderate" for true lefties). Maybe I misjudge you, but if you could not have Obama as Pres. who would be your top choice?

3. I said "But Christians (who send missionaries to Afghanistan to treat poor [mostly Muslim] people there) are a real "threat" to our country and should be banished from any participation in public life. That is the clear portrait of liberals that American citizens are seeing on a daily basis."

Do you deny that that IS the view of many (if not a majority) on the left? Why is it that many liberals jump all over and oppose participation of Christians in the political and educational life of Americans, but the same liberals are all in favor of free expression of religion by Muslims? You don't see that? Come on, now Hobbes.

I also said "November is not going to be pretty for Democrats."
That is a no-brainer. That's like standing near the Gulf in New Orleans before Katrina hit and predicting the N.O. was going to get a major soaking. It just takes minimal powers of observation and the ability to accept reality. Are you projecting Dem pick-ups or just minimal losses in Nov.? If so, be bold and I will save your prognostications to pull out on November 3. As I have said before, the thing about reality is that it eventually trumps fantasy----not that I am saying that YOU inhabit fantasyland, but clearly many here do.

We don't have to dispose of ANY of the Bill of Rights----including the right of freedom of speech of people (including possibly the President and other influential people) who might express their disapproval of building a mosque there, along with explanations of WHY they disapprove, and perhaps even proposals of creative alternatives such as Gov. Patterson (a Democrat---see, I can praise a Democrat on a rare occasion of doing something that makes sense) has made.

So, it is possible for everyone to exercise their freedoms in a responsible and sensitive way. It is even possible for Muslims to exercise THEIR freedom to exercise their freedom of religion and property rights (try that in Iran or Saudi Arabia!!) in an IRRESPONSIBLE and INSENSITIVE way, if they insist. They will not be barred from doing so, as Christians or other non-Muslims would be in Muslim countries.

We CAN all "get along" if everyone is exercising their freedoms with respect for each other and good will. All it takes is to put their "critical thinking" caps on.

"I think that having a mosque/cultural center near 9/11--as there is in the freaking Pentagon already--to be one of the greatest mindfucks we could employ against the extremists."

You may be right. On the other hand, Muslims could also pull off a Mindf*** by showing some good will and respect for American sensibilities. If Muslims who want to build there insist on their way, Americans will accept it though.