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Show 25, 2010 FONESDAYr-AUGUS- DIXIE SUN (Jround zero mos Islams No.l issue iot BY TAYLOR GRIN Staff Writer The par- tisan disagreements to the construction e of a t the t a ble mosque near nd zero prevent ma-r- ( discussion about a critical question for y dern Islam: Can it ,fe ac-jll- m :ial. modernize? Cordoba Project, an He community center proposed just two the icks away from the site sually the 911 attacks. Both ver, of the aisle raise ot ,d points, and have ute. a lot of media ) un-Most of the has pitted the o im- - ;bate of First Amend--en- t ica- rights against the f sociation of Islamics the World Trade eedto ns inic jeS at-.jt- ed e ce nil! nder- iuca- - in lca- - our bombing. feater conservative view-boil- s down to the sacredness of ground Radical Islamic vales motivated the 911 irorists. Placing a y Islam oriented center so close to sound zero rubs salt in a id that for many still 13-io- id gut get be lit-i- I isn't healed. Liberals ads to ' ry com--init- generally he sup-irtt- mosque as a show tolerance. Not all Musis are responsible by ociation for the 911 so why should bear the stigma of a icks, N radical fundamental-furthermor- e, the :hief of religion fJom ap-Js- to religions, not dthe most popular one. The unaddressed ques-is what the future of lam will look like in America. Islam has been eadily traveling west ;om the Middle East for last 40 years, and if ;e take to heart the from Europe we night learn from their accesses and mistakes. America has already egun to come into con all or 'itor iitor ditor i Edi- - itor ditor ant m ie es expe-ienc- tager flict with Islamic cultural values. Florida has already made it illegal to pose for a drivers license photo while wearing niqabs, a form of face covering required by some Islamic sects. The mature arguments about the Cordoba center are more complex than First Amendment rights or sacred ground. The nation's top minds should be asking what message building this center portrays. Will it be a statement that America accepts Islam as it is now, or will the citizens require Islam to better coincide with the rules of their society before they become mainstream? Most Islamic sects in America are liberal compared to those in the east, but like any religion, as it becomes more accepted, the liberals will provide cover for the more radical elements. It is easy for an evangelical group to say the Christian who bombed an abortion clinic was a radical and disassociate with him. The familiarity of mainstream Islam would similarly create a shield for problems caused by the clash of cultural values. Shariah law allows for the stoning of adulterers, and fundamental Islam condones the mercy killing of women for behavior Americans deem perfectly normal. Freedoms are heavily restricted, and the separation of church and state are when Shariah is in effect. In Europe there are tribunals run by Shariah law, which sometimes exceed restrictions given them by the state. Tragedies related to female genital mutilation in England or a girl being shot for wearing jeans are sadly all too familiar. America has come a long way toward secular-izatioDespite religious non-existe- protest, abortion and gay marriage rights have begun to be secured. When Utah vied for statehood the Mormon church abandoned polygamy and later during the civil rights era it allowed black membership as well. If Islam wants to become normalized in American society, it should similarly expect to homogenize. This isn't a call for Certain moral values have come to be accepted as better for human well being by western philosophy. Among those are suffrage, secularism, and a sense of personal sovereignty. Outside of the United States most of the Islamic community lacks in some of the values. If Europe's problems come to America, we need to be ready for them. The days of isolationism are long gone, and we can't keep trying to prevent new cultures from landing on our shores. The Cordoba center markets itself as a sort of YMCA from an Islamic perspective. If it actually fulfills this mission purpose of tolerance and openness then it could be a step in the right direction for Islam as a whole. And if not, America stands poised to say, "if you want to be accepted, you need to earn it." change is, there needs to be some stability in life or we wouldnt be able to form any attachment to any one person, place or thing because it would always be changing. I am here to offer you that stability. Fortunately, through all the change, Dear Kate has remained. I will be here with you throughout the BY KATE SEMMENS Lifestyles Editor Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff of Dixie State College, Here we are at the dawn of a new semester. The possibilities fall 2010 holds in store are right at the tips of our fingers. The excitement of a new semester is electrifying. Im sure most of you have some new clothes, new kicks, and perhaps new back to entire semester grueling over homework and tests, building relationships, having new adventures, and most importantly answering your letters with the best advice I am able to give. I am here to share all your moments with you, school gadgets. I love new beginnings. I believe change is a very good thing. There are many changes that have transpired over the summer with the Dixie Sun. There is a new look in the layout design, new editors, new writers and photographers, and new readers. Im certain there have been many changes made in your personal lives as the semester has begun. However, as healthy as especially your dilemmas. There is no question or situation too small or too large to ask Dear Kate about. I hope you will have the gumption to share them with me and with the wonderful readers of the Dixie Sun. For without you and your letters Dear Kate could not survive. This little advice column that has started to make a stirring in Utah would cease to exist. emails with attachments will also be deleted. The letter must be submitted as a plain text in the body of the message. Information other than your name, major, year in school and hometown Letters from Dixie Sun readers are printed in the opinion section of the newspaper and online, letters lacking full name, mailing address and daytime telephone number will be deleted. C J , 1 j 4 v a jTjjO Jills ibuted C'f't sjiiHi j Classifieds Classifieds Inserting LDS CROSSWORD PUZZLES and on of ivi-- on ition ined ler- - ons are iters ns of of the classified ad lfyou have something to hade or give away. must be arranged one week in advance. cntact our ad manager, Exandrea Armstrongat Family Home Evening Fun! For all ages 4 to 91. Avaliable at Amazon.com through (Edesunadsdixie.edu www.crarypublications.com a ie In-se- rh 'v r ' v t - , c il.Aj 'C" US So readers, here I wait at my desk with pen poised in hand ready and anxious to get to work for you. Perhaps the more accurate picture would be of me sitting on my bed with my laptop propped on my knees and fingers typing feverishly away at the keyboard. Either way youd like to imagine me is fine; just write so I may respond. I wish you all a wonderful semester full of joy, romance, adventure, luck and a little drama too. I wish you the drama because that is when I hear from you. It isnt often that people write into Dear Kate to tell me about the awesome date they just experienced or their new job. Besides a little drama keeps life interesting, Bachelor Pad anyone? I look forward to your letters! And as always, thank you for writing. Sincerely, Kate Dear Kate is a weekly advice column for DSC students, send letters to dixiesundixie.edu Write letters to the editor n. 1 11- ear Kate returns in 2010 nt er -- ' a ' t I ! is kept confidential. Keep letters at 200 words or less. Concise letters developing a single theme are more likely to be published. Letters are condensed and edited. |
