Relax
Reader comment on item: [The Abu Ali Case and] Balancing Liberties, Security

Submitted by Werner de Rocqer (United States), Mar 2, 2005 at 19:34

First of all Abu is not convicted yet of the accusations. So far he has to be considered as non-guilty. (He might not be though).

If America is a free country it should be free and stand for freedom. That means for me it should allow all kind of intelligent people as well as all kind of weirdos to express their thoughts. In the end all of us have to weigh those thoughts and find the truth or falsity in them).

If we fight for freedom, for the right of our citizen to express themselves, we cannot demand to close any madrasses or other institutions (unless they are outrightly unconstitutionally or criminal)

Criticism is a pain in the butt for anyone, but it also is the way to improve things. America is so dynamic because it allows all kind of criticism. I would say it is welcome and a necessary ingredient in our culture.

If we start to close down institutions which criticize the way we live, the way we think, the way we feel we are not better than rogue nations who close down or do not allow institutions of freedom or different thinking. What would we defend if we do the same?

Fundamentalism in Islam is alien to me, it violates too many rules of human attitudes, but do they have the right to think that way? I would say yes. Do they have the right to act them out? Here our constitution and our laws have the answer to it.

All one needs to find out what is right and what is wrong is honesty. Fear, hate, stubborness etc are attitudes which violate the finding of what is true. In the battle of finding the right way one should not miss any voice. It is an effort to find but nonetheless a necessary one.

greetings

Werner

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