Posted on 10/22/2006 7:50:40 PM PDT by World_Events
WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) _ Muslims at the U.S. Military Academy numbered just two in 2001. This year, there are 32.
Now West Point has opened its first space dedicated to Muslims, a worship hall complete with a pulpit facing Mecca. The space officially opened Thursday.
"I knew the Army had a policy of religious tolerance, but I didn't know it was to this extent," said first-year Cadet Ahmed Moomin, 20, from the Maldives.
Until now, Friday prayers were held in an increasingly crowded first-floor office, said Imam Asadullah, the academy's Muslim cleric. The number of Muslim cadets jumped by 10 from last year.
The new hall is large enough for dozens of followers, he said.
West Point's Muslim leaders approached administrators last year for help.
"We live in a world where everyone is looking at the United States saying, 'You're anti-Islam.' But here at West Point, that's not what we do," West Point Chaplain Col. John Cook said.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
What happened to separation of 'church and state'?
Islam is not a "people" and only nominally a culture. Islam is a rigid, unyielding ideology. It is founded on a book that is fiercely intolerant of other ideologies. Its driving vision is antithetical to American Constitutional government and will only tolerate it until it gains the upper hand.
Islam is "absorbed." It multiplies within hard cells of discrete communities until by sheer numbers it overpowers and subdues all other ideologies.
If you are looking for a historical analogue you should look to other virulent and profoundly intolerant ideologies such as nazism or marxism--but coupled with the world's highest birth rate.
When I was at West Point we had a few religious minorities including Japanese Shinto devotees, atheists, Christian Scientists, Jews, Mormons, etc. We accommodated them. I expect to see some outstanding grads who are muslim. The world-wide guerilla war against islamonazis will be won by modern, reformist MUSLIMS because the locals are critical to winning every guerilla war. This "kill 'em all and let G-d sort 'em out" attitude is a loser. That's what Osama expected of us. We are proving him wrong. We are making allies of the moderate muslims of the world because they have even more to lose than we do.
Tell me: where are the "modern, reformist MUSLIMS"?
You're spouting multicultural crap and nonsense. You don't know what you are talking about.
If these cadets attempt to "plant the seeds of discord and sedition," they'll be dismissed before they can cause any real harm."
That would be true if West Point was the target.
So what is the target? "
West Pointers become officers in the military.
You appear to believe there are "moderate" muslims, I don't.
Modern, reformist muslims are ones that Osama and Co. are tring to kill. In Iraq and Afganistan we have thousands of them working for us and dying to protect their countries. As for "multiculturist crap", the USA is a tolerant society that has absorbed a number of ethnic groups and religions. Its a fact and a a very successful strategy for our country. Remember that once upon a time there were concerns about assimilating groups such as Irish Catholics. "You don't know what are talking about"? I simply have a different point of view. I'm sorry that upsets you. Let's keep our disagreements civil.
The same question came up when Catholics ran for president in 1928 and 1960.
Anyone can ask a question .. "Does your mother know you're still a theif?".. and I vaguely remember the questions being bandied about surrounding JFK, but I don't think there was ever a real concern for the safety of America.
Catholicism has never been, nor ever could be IMO a national threat.
I appreciate your comment but as I understand this entire thread .. the concern is based on verifiable documentation of historically Muslim stands and current events that, with the exception of one or two that have appeared on Hannity and Colmes .. or O'Reilly .. Not one Muslim has taken a decidely anti-Islamic position .. anti-Islamic in the sense that they recognize Israel as a valid nation .. the off-spring of the child of Promise, Isaac and not of Ishmael, the child of Abraham through Hagar .. Not the child God had promised Abraham.
We are friends of Israel because of our Christian roots and continued belief and faith in the Bible .. which is opposed to the Koran.
Allah is not (what MOST Christians believe to be) the triune God of the Bible and therefore, unless denounced .. cannot align with the majority of Americans.
Catholics believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost .. so do Protestants and most of other denominations denominations.
This is indeed spiritual warfare.
I work with them every day, in a large corporation doing work for the federal government, for which they have the appropriate security clearances.
You're right. I did miss it. And my ridiculous amount of posts on this ridiculous thread bear out that I tried to respond to everyone. Sooo... your "legal argument"...
"You asking for legal justification for not keeping Islamics in the US military is like putting the cart before the horse."
Considering we've had muslims in our military for more than 100 years, and currently have an estimated 5000 active duty muslims, I would say the horse has been towing the cart for a long time. Your suggestion has nothing to do with a legal argument. What law are you citing when you suggest we summarily dismiss several thousand members of the Armed Forces without any consideration for their time and performance in service?
There. I fixed your statement and answered it at the same time.
Islam is a not just a religion. It is also a seamless political, cultural, and legal system which demands the fealty of it's adherents to the tenets of Islam as their first priority in loyalty.
One cannot swear allegiance to the United States Constitution and the Koran at the same time. One could never be a true believer in Islam and take the oath during Commissioning, swearing adherence to and protection of the United States Constitution.
Muslim believers intend to replace our American Constitution and Laws with it's own twisted versions found within the Koran and other religious writings.
USMA caves to political correctness again. Call the AOG and let them know how you feel.
Do you remember the Army VMI football game at Michie stadium? Probably about 1978. The VMI guys brought out a confederate flag. It almost started a riot. Oh how times have changed.
See this link.
www.dicoverthenetwork.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=1511
It appears I'm one of the few folks on this thread that actually has. Amazingly, many Freepers seem to believe the US military can choose to ignore the document it is sworn to defend at will.
"The founders made common sense an intellectual art. Most of the common sense folks on this forum know dumb when they see it even if they can't come up with legal justification at the drop of a hat."
Yeah. And one of the common sense things the founders came up with was the idea that common sense folks can't just make up and enforce new rules whenever they feel like it. There's a Constitutional process for that. Perhaps you should call your Congressman and get the ball rolling.
"It always takes a pompous ass like Micheal Moore to tell Americans how stupid they are."
You are probably trying to imply something here but I doubt even you know what it is. In case you are unaware, Micheal Moore is an anti-American liar. The last thing he is interested in is Constitutional law and the American legal process. And the last sentence of your post makes no sense. Really. Perhaps you could rephrase it. I think you are implying we should ignore the Constitution based on your understanding of intelligence. Frankly, based on the rest of your posts, I find that a scary thought.
Generally, you have to check by Congressman. They advertise their own appointments.
http://www.house.gov/boehlert/pr_040203_academy3.htm
That's what we need: A West Point trained Jihadist.
We are beyond stupid.
What decision are you talking about? Do you think the military can decide when it chooses to adhere to US law?
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