Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgaryborn
If you say "I hurt" and I say "your a whimp" I may have responded but, have I really heard you? Empathy requires you attempt to understand the persons position. Labeling a person a racist or Islamophobic or just ignorant isn't empathy. It actually is the opposite of empathy. It is a means of disregarding someone; in effect not hearing them.
The direct accusations of racism and Islamophobia were made by members of the media and on chat boards such as this one. The President addressed their constitution right while refusing to comment on the concerns of thosed opposed to the mosque. The person behind the building is out of country on the governments dime.
The organizers of the mosque should show empathy if their motivation and religion are based on peace. Having done nothing wrong has nothing to do with it.
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Should the critics of the centre not also have empathy for those who want to build it? I don't hear a whole lot of attempt to understand the argument from that side, either. And if neither side is willing to be empathetic to the other (as seems to be the case), then the way that such disputes are typically resolved is based on who has the legal/constitutional right on their side, which is in this case rests with the builders.