The Monument to Muslim Terrorism

I am just exasperated by the ignorance of some people in this world. What are your credentials to even discuss this issue, let alone provide your "knowledgable insight" as to what the religion of Islam even teaches? If you even cracked open the Qur'an (the holy book followed by Muslims, in case you didn't know, which is likely) you would see that Islam is a religion that promotes tolerance. Did you even know that the literal translation of Islam is "peace?" And if you're going to use the argument that there are so many violent Muslims out there, then that just won't cut it because there is no REASONABLE way that you can characterize a religion or any group based on the actions of a corrupt few. That's like saying that all Catholics are child-molesters because a few priests wanted some "love" from underage boys. Do you think that's a justifiable claim to make? Heck no, so why do you think it's okay to stereotype Muslims in that same manner? Way to hold true to your name, Advocate.

Finally, an intelligent voice within the gay community - well said. Your "friends" here defending Islam and attacking as just fucking idiots, frankly. Please, go to a Muslim country and start waving your cute little tails around - I'm sure they will enjoy you very much. First they will rape you, and then they will behead you. But do continue to defend Islam, morons.

Well, if anyone needs proof that the gay community is not monolithic and can be as bigoted as the general populace, here it is. Both from Lucas as well as from others. It appears we have roughly the same percentage of ill-informed citizens as the general populace. So, people generalize about the "gay agenda" and the community in turn generalizes about the American Muslim population? Sad... but, a demonstration that the only difference between gays and everyone else is homosexuality. I expect a column from a gay Tea Party member next.

Lucas said: "Let’s face it: New York’s financial district is not exactly a center of Muslim population. It will be difficult to come to pray from homes in Queens or Brooklyn five times a day." Does this idiot even live in New York?! There are a great many Muslims that work, drive cabs, and a more than a few probably live in that area. Or did he even read the stories about the proposed Islamic Center before writing this trash? FYI, Lucas, the proposed center is already the site of a mosque. And yes, a great many ALREADY pray there. Maybe you should do some reading while you spend all that time on your back.

An immigrant pro-Israel Jew who doesn't support Religious Tolerance for Muslims in America? This is so shocking! This is the kind of stuff you'd expect from a person from a once communist Russia attempting to speak about American values. This is not a Conservative or a Liberal issue, this is a Freedom issue. Our nation was founded on Religious Freedom, anyone who chooses to honor this great Nation for which it stands recognizes that any attempts to dictate personal freedom in America is the real threat. By the way Mr Lucas. You look like a fish. A very ugly fish.

First Michael Lucas. Your collagen filled pouty lips barely are pulled off by Angelina Jolie. You just look like a desperate freak with a hang up about getting old. My FAVORITE part: "There is an old Islamic tradition to build at strategic points of conquests.." - wait who does that remind me of? OH YEAH! The United States! "Brainwashed liberals" who by a large margin support your right to make porn about farting and peeing are who you choose to name call in an article about a subject you have no creditability on? Nice work. You should stick to peeing on methed out rent boys. Your political analysis of the Cultural Center is not nearly as entertaining, though just as abusive and sick. To the Advocate: Is this magazine run by gay people? I can't imagine that it is. Between your constant articles about child molesters and propagation of Muslim fear in a nation that already fears gays, I have to wonder if this magazine isn't secretly run by Mike Huckabee. Good Riddance

Sad. The Advocate used to be about fighting oppression of minorities, and now it participates. Goodbye subscription - I prefer media outlets which publish balanced opinion pieces (point / counterpoint), and put just facts in their news reporting.

It is iroic how much of America and Americans allow the term religious freedom to promote all kinds of self dignity or rights and yet many of these religious groups are the first to claim foul when the freedoms/rights allowed are not withing their thinking. It is way past time that groups that preach hate or ill towards others not bell allowed the right of Americas religious freedoms. Not all Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Mormon nor other religiious groups are hateful. And yet we all know there are several organizations in each of these sects that do push the hate envelope in the name of their "God's preachings". If the Tax free status of the hate promoting religious groups were revoked it would likely be a much more peace loving country. And as for the seperation of Church and State... we also know that the religious groups are utilizing their tax free monies to change goverment agendas. Utah has levied fines on the Mormon church if the state believes it is promoting hate.

The Advocate should not have published this incendiary article, written by someone so obviously unqualified to opine about Islamic culture, without publishing the views of individuals that actually know something about Muslims in America.

I find these comments entirely offensive, as a Christian history buff, as a gay, and as an American. I fully agree with David C, that our community should be the last to openly discriminate. The Western world is being entirely hypocritical to their "liberal, new world philosophy" they feign day in and out. To ban the rights to assemble, move, and organize a religious community is discrimination. You can't possibly know what sort of people will come to this mosque, whether from Brooklyn, Staten Island, or anywhere else. The stereotyping nature of Michael Lucas and his articles should be removed from this site, which should preach a non-partisan view of gay life in the world. He has, without fail, written horribly slanted articles about the "dangers of Islam" and all of the sorts of people who practice it. A man with such a preconceived notion of people he doesn't know, couldn't possibly know by being afraid and stuck behind a computer screen, has no right to be a journalist.