The University of Michigan-Dearborn plans to spend $25,000 for foot-washing stations for Muslims?

Question

The University of Michigan-Dearborn plans to spend $25,000 for foot-washing stations, making it easier for Muslim students to practice their religion but sparking questions about the separation of church and state.

The university claims the stations are needed to accommodate Muslim students, who must ritually wash their bodies -- including the feet -- up to five times each day before prayers. But critics hit conservative blogs and radio airwaves Monday to argue public money shouldn't cover the cost.

See link to read the rest of the article - http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/SCHOOLS/706050368/1003/METRO

Question - Is this cow towing to the enemy ?

Answer 1

I don't think it's fair to call American Muslims the enemy.

That said, yes, it is kowtowing to a special interest group and I am opposed to this for the same reason I am opposed to having the ten commandments posted in a public courthouse.

I am curious to hear how Conservative Christians view this.

Answer 2

Yes.

I have absolutely no problem with them doing it in public, or even at the university, but it shouldn't be publically funded. Where do we draw the line? Do they need to set up a scientology center?

If the muslim organization wants to fund it, then no problem. Their rights are not being infringed by the public not paying for their station, they are just not being accomodated at the cost of the tax payers.

On the other hand, Dearborn has one of the highest populations of muslims. Did it go to some kind of city vote?

Answer 3

I don't know if it's cow towing to the enemy or not, but I know that it is a slap in the face to all other religious beliefs. The school should then allow a moment of silence so the Christians who attend may pray (actually, this makes more sense since it wouldn't cost a dime!!!), and maybe distribute peyote to the native Americans who use it in their practices.

Answer 4

I - as the name states - am an expert in this field. There are many efficient and inexpensive ways in which to wash ones feet. When I need to wash my feet, I sit on the side of the bathtub and wash them. I have also been known to sit on the kitchen counter and wash them in the sink. When out side, a spigot or hose works exceptionally well. You know when you go to the beach and they have those outdoor showers to wash all the sand off? Usually they have one for feet too. I think you could build a dozen of those on your campus for WAY less than 25K.

Freedom of religion allows for people to freely worship whatever god they choose without the fear of persecution or incarceration. It DOES NOT mean that the government has to provide you with the required facilities in which you need to worship. The government doesn't have to ACCOMODATE for your religious practices.

Answer 5

different faculties accommodate Christians regardless of if the college is non denominational. My college is non denominational, yet there's a appealing extensive chapel on the campus with a reasonably small room for different scholars of religion. the only ingredient that concerns me approximately this subject is the place is the money coming from? different than that then i do no longer discover this offensive. the only reason human beings are so dissatisfied is with the aid of the fact human beings are assisting Muslims practice their faith. If a clean chapel became being outfitted so it could accommodate extra Christians then no one could even think of two times with regard to the area. Hypocrite human beings.

Answer 6

Well, I don't think Muslims are "the enemy" any more than dudes with beards are "the enemy", but it certainly doesn't seem right AT ALL. If someone were to donate money for that sort of thing or if students raised money for it then that would be fine, but public money should not go to fund something needed to fulfill a religious need like that. I can hardly believe it's even being suggested, actually.

Answer 7

If this university receives ANY federal tax dollars (e.g. for research projects) then it would be in violation of the separation of church and state requirement in the Constitution. Therefore, if they do this, the feds should withdraw all federal funding immediately. Once they are a totally, and absolutely, privately funded university they are not subject to constitutional requirements and they can do what they want.

Answer 8

Where in the american constitution does it say that a church can be publically funded and a mosque can not?

Where in the moral and social scripture does it say that?

People, get the idea of America that you have had in your mind fade away, accept the social change and appreciate it.

You are promoting this as if UM was building a terrorist training camp in there. You'd rather be happeir if they had made another drunktard fraternity full of future dropouts in there.

Good luck to you my not-so-bright friend.

Answer 9

Muslim students are not our enemy, but in America we separate religion from state. I do not want to make exceptions, nobody has to live in America if they dont like it.

Answer 10

Dearborn is dhimmified. There's no helping them.