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Landowner Of Proposed Muslim Community Site Files Suit Against Town
In Walkersville, Maryland, a landowner who wanted to sell his farm to a Muslim group is suing the town for religious discrimination because they have refused his right to do so. This is a classic case of "NIMBYism" (Not in My Back Yard) where city officials used what sounds like neutral language to carefully make it impossible for a religious group to build and use property. This often occurs because religious facilities are perceived to use resources without paying taxes, traffic, and even religious discrimination.
Click the link following this excerpt to read the rest of the story:
In March, the Town of Walkersville denied AMC a special exception to build a place of worship on Moxley's land.
They cited traffic and infrastructure concerns because AMC wanted to use the land for an annual convention for 10,000 people.
Moxley's attorney says the farm could support a group that large.
"It's only when the group happens to be Muslim, that they've pulled out all the stops and prevented them from locating in the town," Storzer said.
11 Comments
They could have at least tried to make it seem like it was something other than the obvious. Sheesh. I mean, how stupid do we really look? Wait, don't answer that. 🙂
They could have at least tried to make it seem like it was something other than the obvious. Sheesh. I mean, how stupid do we really look? Wait, don't answer that. 🙂
Okay, now this has just GOT TO BE ILLEGAL, right? You can't get away with religious discrimination nowadays can you? Please tell me this can't still be happening in 2008! What is wrong with people!? And how ignorant are these people who think a person's religion will tell them if they are a good tenant or businessperson or anything? The nerve and the stupidity is just shameful!
Okay, now this has just GOT TO BE ILLEGAL, right? You can't get away with religious discrimination nowadays can you? Please tell me this can't still be happening in 2008! What is wrong with people!? And how ignorant are these people who think a person's religion will tell them if they are a good tenant or businessperson or anything? The nerve and the stupidity is just shameful!
I think both sides have a point. The land owner is entitled to sell his land to anyone, but on the other hand I wouldn't like an extremist religious group on my backyard. But who am I to say who is and who isn't an extremist. I guess they could come to an understanding or use a mediator in any case. What a difficult situation. I have some nuns that live on the corner of my house that rented a place there and the same around the corner. I hear singing every Sunday I guess for their Sunday service. I suppose it doesn't harm anyone.
I think both sides have a point. The land owner is entitled to sell his land to anyone, but on the other hand I wouldn't like an extremist religious group on my backyard. But who am I to say who is and who isn't an extremist. I guess they could come to an understanding or use a mediator in any case. What a difficult situation. I have some nuns that live on the corner of my house that rented a place there and the same around the corner. I hear singing every Sunday I guess for their Sunday service. I suppose it doesn't harm anyone.
Unfortunately, predjudice is a fact of life in the United States. Most Americans are scared of the unknown and refuse change. We, as a country, could learn a lot from other nations if we allowed ourselves to have an open mind.
Unfortunately, predjudice is a fact of life in the United States. Most Americans are scared of the unknown and refuse change. We, as a country, could learn a lot from other nations if we allowed ourselves to have an open mind.
I can see where a new religous building constructed in any town could be a hassle to the towns people. Especially, when it is a religous group that so often descriminated against. However, of the local people of the town took some time to understand the Muslin faith, they would realize it could be a beautiful additon to their community. Unfortunatly, local government does have the power to block the sale based on the reasons given. It will be interesting to see the outcome of the lawsuit.
I can see where a new religous building constructed in any town could be a hassle to the towns people. Especially, when it is a religous group that so often descriminated against. However, of the local people of the town took some time to understand the Muslin faith, they would realize it could be a beautiful additon to their community. Unfortunatly, local government does have the power to block the sale based on the reasons given. It will be interesting to see the outcome of the lawsuit.