Guantanamo Bay Detainees

Plans are now in place to transfer a significant amount of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the Thomson Correctional Center here in Illinois. There is fear that this may pose a security threat to the United States by making it a possible target for more terrorism. As we are living in post 9/11 times - the threat and fear of terrorism is significantly heightened. But this reality seems not to be considered over capitalistic motives of the government. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin is in grand support of this move. He is quoted by saying, "The prison would house fewer than 100 Guantanamo detainees and would have a "significant positive impact on the local economy" by generating more than 3,000 jobs." But what's more important, money or security?

As we are clearly living in times of economic hardships - many are going to drastic measures to generate more money. Thomason Correctional Center has been desolate for several years now, and with the housing of the Guantanamo Bay detainees it would be in full effect again. I can empathize with the reality of creating more jobs, but we must keep in mind that as we are trying to identify those within our borders that pose a significant threat to our National Security, we are adding more to that list of security threats. Since ownership of Thomson Correctional Center will be in the hands of the federal government - it’s imperative that the federal government makes sure that they give us the total security as they would give any other federal building that was a target for suspected terrorist activity.

Creche at the White House

As we are fully engaged into the holiday season, many faith traditions are engaging in their religious traditions across the nation. With these traditions come a diverse community of icons, artifacts, signs, and symbols. At the White House there are Christian Christmas symbols that are on display that include the display of the crèche. The display of the crèche at the White House has been a tradition since 1967, but with religious pluralism being a realization - its display "only" is being debated. The display of the crèche should be allowed as long as there is a respect and honor for other religious traditions within the White House as well.

As an employee of Corporate America I see many Christian Christmas decorations, trees, and lights on display across downtown and in many buildings. In my place of employment we have two 30+ ft. trees and three wreaths that have been added to the décor of our main lobby. To my surprise in one of our windows we also have the Jewish menorah in honor of Hanukkah, and the African kinara in honor of Kwanzaa. The display of all three of these holiday traditions in my place of employment gave me a sense of joy that the diversity that our corporate policy entails is not only being shown through the demographics of our employees, but also in honor of the faith traditions that are within the walls of our corporation as well.

This same type of diversity should be employed at the White House. The White House is looked upon as being the pedestal of America since the president of these United States resides there. As being the pedestal it should be sending a message of love, community, and acceptance. Since we do not just have Christians who celebrate religious traditions during this holiday season, there ought to be the display of a plethora of religious traditional symbols in the White House to acknowledge this. If Corporate America can do it…so must the White House.

Why Is Muslim Humanity Not Honored in Switzerland?

Switzerland voters have crossed over into dangerous territory by their hurtful decision to ban further construction of Muslim minarets. Minarets are apart of the mosques that Muslims are called to prayer to everyday, but now in their near future they will have to go without their sacramental architecture in the construction of further erected mosques. This places Muslims in a place of the "otherness". Muslims have been singled out and their faith is now being criticized and demeaned by the actions of right-winged Switzerland groups such as Swiss People's Party, and the Federal Democratic Union. The ban passed because the Switzerland constitution allows for a group of people to gather 100,000 signatures to promote an initiative, and once this is done a vote can be taken for or against it. This is not right.

We live in a pluralistic world that encapsulates many different religions and practices. Everyone has their own right to worship in their own way. To ban these Muslim minarets - is stripping the Muslim world of their full humanity. In order to realize the full humanity of a person you must accept their decisions in totality - religion included. We do not live in a world that has a universalized global religion. This Earth is one big melting pot of religious views. I am quite sure that the Muslims feel a bit of uneasiness now to be a resident of a society that bans the totality of their religious freedom. To the Switz's minarets are just architecture, to Muslims it’s an important religious monument. In fact it’s been said that Muslims believe that minarets are the "gate from heaven and earth". The erection of this in addition to their mosques is important and pivotal to their faith. This should be taken into consideration.

Muslims account for the lowest percentage of practiced religions in Switzerland, with Catholicism and Protestantism being the head leaders. The Muslims are already a minority in Switzerland, but now they are the majority in being marginalized. What if other world leaders sent out a petition to ban the construction of crucifixes in cathedrals or altars in the sanctuaries of the Catholics and Protestants? The people of Switzerland must not be so conservative when it comes to religious freedom. There must be a call for love and a realization and acceptance of diversity. There is a beauty in diversity, because it allows for us to appreciate and to experience the totality and the beauty of our Creator. Within this beauty lie the lives of Muslims, not only their lives, but the beauty and sanctity of their minarets.