Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor was historic – Mamdani is on the cusp of becoming the first Muslim mayor in the city's history. His faith is also proving to be a source of controversy.
A democratic socialist who identifies as a “proud Muslim,” Mamdani says that his faith is a foundational part of his personal and political identity, even as his progressive values sometimes put him at odds with conservative Muslim hardliners.
Despite riding a wave of popularity into a stunning upset of Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani's religious beliefs have helped make him a lightning rod of controversy. Detractors say his faith puts him at odds with the city’s values. Some argue electing a Muslim is itself anti-American.
Faith Under Attack
At one point on the campaign trail, Mamdani delivered an emotional account of the abuse he’s received simply for being open about his Muslim faith.
"I get messages that say the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim," he explained, his voice audibly shaking as he held back tears. "I get threats on my life, on the people that I love."
The anti-Islamic insults haven’t let up, and they’re coming from both sides of the aisle.
Mamdani has faced a barrage of xenophobic criticisms from prominent politicians and pundits, calling him everything from a “jihadist terrorist” to the second coming of 9/11. Some have even suggested he be deported.
A Familiar Backlash
“The fear-mongering is insane,” stated pro-Muslim activist and Mamdani supporter Asad Dandia. “I think the community and our leadership know that we’re on the radar now.” Some Muslims say the current climate feels eerily like the aftermath of 9/11, with a resurgence of paranoia, scapegoating, and public suspicion.
As Dandia puts it, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Corey Saylor, advocacy director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), echoed the concern. “Many of the trends we are seeing mirror common Islamophobic content – Muslims as other and as a threat,” explained Saylor.
CAIR described the volume of Islamophobic attacks against Mamdani as “noteworthy,” warning that it could snowball into a larger cultural flashpoint, much like the controversy over an Islamic center near Ground Zero.
Community Resilience
Despite the vitriol, Mamdani and the broader Muslim community are standing firm.
“We feel more confident in our community’s voice and our institutional power and in the support that we will have from allies,” said Dandia. “Yes, we’re dealing with this Islamophobic backlash, but I don’t want to make it seem like we’re just victims because we are able to now fight back.”
Mamdani agrees, but is hopeful for more than just survival. “I’ve spoken to many Muslims across this city who have shared that their fear of having to be essentially branded a terrorist just by living in public life is one that keeps them preferring life in the shadows, life outside of that specter,” he explained.
“And this is not the way that we can have our city be. It’s not the way that we can have our country be.”
What is your reaction?
54 comments
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Marie Gilbert
Mamdani will serve the people of New York with dignity and honor. It is time for all churches to speak out in support for this man. How dare we call ourselves children of GOD, when we are so quick to dismiss God in others. I am so sick of all this hate in this country. I tell my followers that we are all the face of GOD. He loves all of us. He created all of us as equals to his love. Sorry for the rant but I live with people who are openly celebrating putting refugees in concentration camps. My soul hurts.
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Marie Gilbert
Mamdani will serve the people of New York with dignity and honor. It is time for all churches to speak out in support for this man. How dare we call ourselves children of GOD, when we are so quick to dismiss God in others. I am so sick of all this hate in this country. I tell my followers that we are all the face of GOD. He loves all of us. He created all of us as equals to his love. Sorry for the rant but I live with people who are openly celebrating putting refugees in concentration camps. My soul hurts.
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Marie Gilbert
Mamdani will serve the people of New York with dignity and honor. It is time for all churches to speak out in support for this man. How dare we call ourselves children of GOD, when we are so quick to dismiss God in others. I am so sick of all this hate in this country. I tell my followers that we are all the face of GOD. He loves all of us. He created all of us as equals to his love. Sorry for the rant but I live with people who are openly celebrating putting refugees in concentration camps. My soul hurts.
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Marie Gilbert
Mamdani will serve the people of New York with dignity and honor. It is time for all churches to speak out in support for this man. How dare we call ourselves children of GOD, when we are so quick to dismiss God in others. I am so sick of all this hate in this country. I tell my followers that we are all the face of GOD. He loves all of us. He created all of us as equals to his love. Sorry for the rant but I live with people who are openly celebrating putting refugees in concentration camps. My soul hurts.
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Mel Chapman
The United States is NOT a Christian nation. Far from it in demonstrated action. It may have been founded by groups of Christians..but recall that many of those groups were seeking religious freedom and fleeing persecution in Europe because they didn't embrace the "accepted" Christianity that was in vogue there at the time. So the US was founded on a tenet of religious freedom....not Christian religious freedom. That Mamdani is Muslim should have no bearing, and the insults and threats that are hurled at him are reprehensible.
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Robert Edward Szekely
When faith and politics are intermingled, both suffer as a result.
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Travis A. Lee
I guess that Gill person does NOT eat Fried Chicken or Pizza at all. That's all I'm going to say on that...special person. Loomer When God was giving out brains, she skipped the line. She forgot that Bush a REPUBLICAN was President during 9/11 and that Guilani or whatever his melting make-up name is was Mayor? A REPUBLICAN. B6...what can be said that has not already been said. It is pathetic that the Republicans (there are Muslim Republicans) are using "Third-World" fear-mongering to incite the people. These "Politicians" should be put up for terroristic threatening, endangering lives..but of course they will not be, the Democrats we have now have no balls to do anything other than hang-wringing HOPING to win the Mid-Terms. Yeah, kinda too late when many of the ones who supported them may also be affected by the Bill that just passed affecting many on Medicaid. I Know I was a Democrat all the way, but now...Nope. Not a Republican either. That is just too morally and ethically low for me to be a part of. I'm not sure who I will be voting for coming elections, but it will not be Blue or Red. That's for sure.
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Jack A Mabry
Look at who he ran against, an incredibly corrupt politician. It's not surprising he won. Maybe if New York could get its act together, and stop running these useless people, I'm looking at you, AOC, maybe they'd have a government that worked.
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Reverend Bobbie
The people of New York have spoken. It is no one else's business. The People chose, very simple concept. If we allow bigots to control who we elect we will have nothing but Trump and his sycophants in every office. Democracy will be dead and this country will be no more.
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Jannetje Eleanore Van Went
All change is met with adversity or it is not true change...he has his own great following...the people of a great city...why need a faith he has been rewarded under the belief, he has attained his great reward, his job is the people of a city now. He know this and if more people understand Muslims they will come to see and know this with their own heart and minds eye.
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Karen Olga Dynek
He is young, intelligent, charismatic, and has unconventional ideas to solve the problems of NYC. Let him give it a try. He really seems to care about the people of NYC and their basic issues. If he is elected, he has every right to do his best for people, which is unconventional these days. Other elected officials, starting at the top, seem to only care about money and power.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
There is no difference between a Christian politician and a Muslim politician. They are both politicians and they both believe in a patriarchal monotheistic religion. There are no differences in the results, especially if we keep our Constitutional rights in place.
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Jack Anthony Wilson
He should be judged on his service not by his religious beliefs.
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Miriam Gates
The stated direction is concerning. State ran stores are from where he comes from. Also what these foreigners left their country for they are bringing to America…. Freedom to own stores sounds like he wants to take away along with other offerings like free this and free that. Where does he get the idea that it’s free? Employees have to be paid a salary…so where does their salaries come from? The logistics have to be paid for, taxes, merchandise, permits etc… it’s sad that votes are based on free stuff….
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Mary Marsella
Frankly, My Dears, I don't give a damn what his religion is but rather how he acts, how he serves and intends to serve and what he stands for.
Stop making mountains from mole hills.
Does what he says he's offering resonate?
What is his track record?
How does he treat his staff?
If you do not ask these questions then please do not vote.
And stop posting.
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JT Sunrise
A Theological Reflection on Islamophobia
By Rev JTSunrise Celestial Nexus Church
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I. Christ’s Heart for the Other
Jesus consistently broke through cultural barriers—He sat with Samaritans (John 4), healed the Canaanite woman’s daughter (Matthew 15:21–28), and embraced the “unclean.” His ministry dismantled fear of the outsider, replacing it with compassion, honesty, and intersectional love.
Christ never championed blanket exclusion—but always met people where they are.
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II. Naming the Sin of Islamophobia
What is happening to Zohran Mamdani is not politics—it is prejudice. He is being targeted not for policies, but for faith and ethnicity: • Accused of harboring an “Islamist agenda” by a prominent VC partner. • Subject to xenophobic claims—“New York has fallen,” “a Muslim mayor is civilizational threat”—from figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Charlie Kirk.
Jesus taught:
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32)
Fear-based caricatures of Islam are antithetical to the liberating truth of the Gospel.
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III. Hypocrisy of the Harshest Order
Jesus reserved his strongest rebukes for religious gatekeepers who weaponize faith to crush rather than uplift. This echoes today in those who exploit Mamdani’s faith to sow division:
“Woe to you… you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25)
Islamophobia disguised as patriotism or political critique is no different from the Pharisee’s sanctimony—regardless of how influential the speaker.
⸻
IV. Power Rooted in Love, Not Fear
Mamdani’s policy platform aims to serve working-class and marginalized New Yorkers—and it’s grounded not in religious coercion but civic compassion  .
Christ’s vision for leadership invites honest public discourse—but flatly rejects manipulative fear-mongering:
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
Serving the vulnerable, not weaponizing them.
⸻
V. Reconciliation Over Retaliation
Jesus did not fight hate with hate—He confronted it with unmasked love. That means being steadfast in calling out racial and religious slurs, while refusing to dehumanize opponents in return. We resist Islamophobia by: 1. Speaking truth—naming prejudice for what it is. 2. Offering humanity—seeing Mamdani as neighbor, not threat. 3. Building solidarity—with interfaith and community alliances.
⸻
Final Exhortation
Zohran Mamdani’s candidacy—and the Islamophobic backlash—is a spiritual flashpoint. Jesus calls us to rise above culture wars and pastoral behind-the-scenes: He calls us to practice the Kingdom in real time.
Let us stand unreservedly for truth, compassion, and justice. Let us reject fear as a political weapon. Let us offer radical hospitality in Jesus’ name.
⸻
Rev. JTSunrise
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Patricia Ann Gross
"Islamophobia disguised as patriotism or political critique is no different from the Pharisee’s sanctimony—regardless of how influential the speaker."
This is most profound statemet on this board.
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Steven Ferrell
It is clear he is muslim and his push will be against the Jews and against the Christians if he was to become mayor. He will cut police and the city will turn into a 💩 hole.
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Henry Anderson
One of the founding principles of our country is freedom of religion. People from all over the world flocked to America to escape religious persecution. To condemn someone for their personal beliefs is un-American. I’m so tired of people in power using fear mongering to control people.
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Lion on the Beach
Has nothing to do with him being a muslin. The US survived Obama. What it has to do with, is his honesty. Is he Asian? African or Other as he used all 3 on his self-identification for DEI enrollment at Columbia. When questioned about his plan for wealth redistribution he was asked if it included his and his families also? He refused to give an answer. His plan or no plan for government run grocery stores already has models in Cuba and Venezuela that are open 2 days a week at best and have empty shelves and zero stock on hand. Communism and socialism have never been successful.
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Benjamin Todd Breece
Attacking his faith is wrong morally. It is also stupid politically because, if you attack his faith, you look like a bigot and no one will listen to legitimate criticisms you may have about his policies
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Donald G Magel
America's christian right are not very Christian to say the least. It seems that these bible readers are now reading the Trump bible and acting on his message instead of the messages of Jesus Christ. The anti-christ is here and in our White House.
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Patrick Meier
Congratulations !
Misplaced fear mongering by some who never mention the danger of AIPAC who influences US foreign policy and pushes for the relentless and unjustified dropping of bombs on civilians, are better ignored.
God bless,
Patrick Meier Switzerland
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George Walter Kauffman
Some people were NOT here in 2001, and they are oblivious to what the results will be. Some people were here, and are ignorant to that FACTS. Some people are well AWARE of the consequences. WE can only hope and pray the latter dominate in November
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Patricia Ann Gross
Some of us were here during the Cold War too. In the early 1980s, I went through Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin (the entrance between East and West Berlin, if you weren't here then), and lived throught the fallout of the Holocaust with parents and other relatives that served in WWII. I wept when I saw footage of the Berlin Wall coming down. What is happening in the White House is 10 times more scary than 9/11 and rivals the same fears we had during the Cold War. Do you remember where the fallout shelters were? Do any exist any more, even with a nuclear program brewing in the Middle East? You don't because there is little chance of the earth surviving a nuclear war. I had friends in the miltary whose "war games" were to determine whether Russia or the USA had more power to destroy the earth, including the moniker "the most times over." After the first time, why does it matter?
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Joseph Grieco
Mamdani is running on a platform of inclusion. His being a Muslim should be no different than Eric Adams being a Christian, Bill de Blasio and Rudy Giuliani being Catholic, Michael Bloomberg being Jewish, or David Dinkins being Episcopal.
Just a note - take a look at who was supporting Mamdani - all the major Jewish political figures in the five Boroughs. Look who is opposed to him - AIPAC - a group composed of Evangelical Christians pursuing an aggressive policy in Israel leading to the End Times, along with the "usual suspects" of GOP Evangelical Christians and pseudo-Christians.
My theory? I don't live in NYC. I haven't lived in NYS since 1980. I don't have a horse in this race.
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Rev Ned
As long as he doesn’t propose sharia law, who cares? We have more to fear from the Christofascist -Taliban.
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James Riggle-Johnson
The hate being aimed at Zohran Mamdani is disgusting—especially from elected officials who know exactly what they’re doing. He’s being called a terrorist not for anything he’s done, but simply because he’s Muslim. That kind of rhetoric isn’t just reckless—it’s dangerous.
We’ve seen the same pattern used against the LGBTQ community: smear someone as evil, claim they’re a threat to children, then pretend you’re not responsible when violence follows. Hate speech online leads to real-world attacks. We’re seeing it more and more.
This isn’t free speech or political disagreement. It’s incitement. And if we don’t start calling it out for what it is, people will continue to get hurt just for existing.
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Lady Mutt Cat
The real issue is that he's perceived to be a threat against zionist baby killers.
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ServantOfJudgement
USA killed 25 million of our own babies this century Mutt cat. Now what?
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Peter Senderowitz
Mamdani , in public discourse , should emphasize his broader program and not get stuck in identity politics : rents , curtailing supermarket big businesses , Medicare-for-All . This is what all working people need. Hope he wins , hope he stays focused.
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Bette Elsden
His focus on Medicare-for-all is misplaced, as Medicare is a federal program administered by each state. The mayor of one city, even the gargantuan NYC (my hometown), has nothing to do with it. Mr. Mamdani's statements about it are campaign fluff that will attract progressive voters. That may get him elected, but when he can't do anything to pass it, it will only increase his constituents' frustration.
Likewise, his advocacy for free bus rides ignores the mayor's need to work with the city council and, likely, the courts, as well as other stakeholders -- especially the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) which actually runs the buses and is not a part of the city government; not to mention the governor's office in Albany, the unions, and business interests (which will have a lot to say about the proposal that they pay higher taxes in order to finance this policy). Businesses and others have already threatened to abandon or avoid the city altogether. And while New Yorkers can cheer about the so-called fat cats leaving, a city needs a business base to survive and thrive. Mr. Mamdani may be a Democratic Socialist, but most of the rest of the country is not. Where will the money come from?
I abhor the personal attacks on Mr. Mamdani, and I don't think they'll sway enough New York voters to make a difference in the election's outcome. NYC is a very diverse town, and most people who live there value that diversity. That said, winning the election is one battle; running that huge city successfully is quite another.
A mayor can be defeated as a mayor, and I think Mr. Mamdani's lack of executive experience and inability, so far, to stick to issues that lie within the mayor's purview are likely to sink him, if he doesn't adapt and learn very, very quickly. I don't happen to think that the mayor's office of a major US city is an appropriate place for someone who needs lessons in governance. I'm hoping that if he does win, he appoints Mr. Lander, the city comptroller, to an advisory position. Mr. Mamdani will need him.
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Dest
Medicare for all is not good. We pay 80% of bill. It does cover some things but not preventative. Even some cancer testing. They won't cover it unless your stage 4 (well how do you know you are). Hence why ppl buy a supplemental insurance. Do you pay $500/month for health care? Oh don't forget you better have a part D or you are delinquent. That's another $500/yr. Medicaid is for low income families. Long term medicaid for aged, blind and disabled is only if you have nothing. You cannot have a life insurance policy, stocks, bonds, pension 🤷♀️ income over 1,000 or asset over 4k that includes your vehicle.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Then you need a good Medicare supplement program. I pay copays, and yes, 80% of my Part B, but my supplement kicks in and pays 100% after I have a certain amount of out-of-pocket, which I will probably meet this month with a husband on dialysis.
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Chris
Of course he is. Bigots gonna be bigots no matter what.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
It amazes me the fear that the hard right has about people who are not like them! They hate those with differing “religious” beliefs, They sure hate non-white human beings, the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Drag queens and transgender human beings. The list goes on! Pretty sure they hate Lauren Boebert and MTG. Sure, they’re white, cis het christian nationalists, but they’re female and not makin’ babies like they should be.
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Sandra A Rasmussen
I always thought that leaders of our country were supposed to be born in the USA not born anywhere else- It’s true we’re a melting pot of different races of people from different worlds and there’s nothing matter with that, but it would make more sense that the ones that were born and raised here, lead our nation, and that one with terrorist roots That would be like me moving to Russia and running for president there, even though I have no background of socialism Our forefathers are most likely rolling around in their graves right now
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Asa William Sprague, II
Just for the sake of providing general information: According to the U.S. Constitution, only candidates for POTUS and VPOTUS carry the requirement "to have been born in the USA."
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James Riggle-Johnson
You do not need to be born here to hold office, although you must be a US citizen. You must be born in the US to become the President of the United States.
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Lady Mutt Cat
- thank you for providing proof that civics classes need to make a comeback.
- Russia is not a socialist country.
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ServantOfJudgement
Certain positions such as president and vice president. States dictate their own laws concerning this. Mr Swartzennager or however you spell his name is a great example. From another country he realized the American dream when he became governor of California. Unfortunately he later told us home grown Americans, the ones who liberated his Nazi homeland we can funk our freedom when it comes to pumping a poisonous jab into our bodies.
To your point, it raises a serious security alarm, especially in today's political climate where we let 20 million unknowns waltz right on in to the kitchen.
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Michael Hunt
If the jab is so poisonous, why haven't I known of a single person who died after receiving the vaccine? With millions of people receiving it, shouldn't we be seeing millions of deaths if the vaccine was poisonous?
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Lady Mutt Cat
Stop confusing SOJ with petty things like facts.
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ServantOfJudgement
Not all poisons kill.
I do know people personally that have been injured by the covid vaccine that doesn't vaccinate. It's no laughing matter especially when you realize the volume of participants of this ten year study. It's the largest study of any medicine ever tested.
My advice Michael is wait for the 10 year study to be completed before we see just at how bad it is.
Ever wonder why the left hates big pharma to the point of cheering on the assassination of CEOs yet stands in line for a product that the CEOs recommended you inject several times each year for the rest of your lives brought to you by President Trump?
I wish it were visible to you Michael.
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Michael Hunt
I'm very sorry to hear that people you know have had adverse reactions. While they are very rare, they do happen.
The effectiveness of the vaccine has been well documented for reducing death and serious symptoms of Covid-19. The vaccines received emergency authorization after undergoing rigorous testing.
The United Healthcare CEO was not big pharma but big insurance. There were also plenty of people on the left who condemned the killing. Distrust of big pharma is completely understandable, but you're suggesting a grand conspiracy is afoot to poison the global population and the vast majority of world leaders are going along with it. That seems to be a wild stretch.
I wish you weren't clouded by conspiracy.
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ServantOfJudgement
Touche Michael
Conspiracy is a real word to describe real planning and events people, corporations and governments carry out that are nefarious in nature.
Governor Witmer kidnapping, small pox blankets, syphilis for black Americans and so on. These things are real and good people such as yourself and those you love can, do and will fall victim if we're not vigilant. Evil usually wins till they don't. By the time it's stopped the human tragedy is too great to measure.
Perhaps it's better said I wish I had some of your trust and you had some of my skepticism. That together we who might disagree could still stand together with our differences as a people with free will.
The elite do say on global television the planet has to many people. I know when I think my garden has to many weeds I kill the weeds. I don't just talk about it, I do something about it
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Colleen McAllister
That is only the president. Many of our elected leaders were born here.
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
Congratulations Mayor Mamdani! Stand strong!!!
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Reverend Paula Copp
They didn’t want Kennedy to be president because he was Catholic, and they thought he’d be beholden to the Pope. It was a bonkers notion then, and it’s bonkers now.
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ULC Rev Paul
Reverend Paula Copp agree. It's the first thing that came to mind when I read about this. This country is steeped in WASP sensibilities that follow an "American Christianity." "I like your Christ, but not your Christianity" - Gandhi .
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ServantOfJudgement
Well whoever didn't want Kennedy to be president took care of it didn't they?
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tuppennyblue
I almost gave that a thumbs up, until I read it again and realised it said 'notion', not 'nation'!
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I am really sick and tired of people raising the 'Islamophobia' banner every time somebody has a criticism of Islam or any Muslim. A phobia is an irrational fear. If one has examined Islam or an individual Muslim and as a result of research and examination, fundamentally disagrees with the tenets of the religion, or how an individual has behaved, the opposition is not irrational and therefore not 'Islamophobia'.
Frankly I believe that Islam is not just a religion. It also has aspects of legal and political systems, and some parts of it are fundamentally incompatible with the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. That said, I have no quarrel with any Muslim who is willing to put the Constitution and the law of the land ahead of those incompatible religious tenets.
Secondly, his religion worries me far less than his left-wing policies, with which I disagree entirely. Communism? Really??? Has history taught him nothing?
He's a democratic socialist, not a communist. There are many democratic socialist countries in Europe who are a lot better off than we are here in America these days.