Maybe you now realize how Jewish people have felt for centuries.

That logic is a little hard to understand maizenbluedoc. Because one group of people was persecuted, it means that other groups should know what it feels like? Maybe it's idealistic, but it seems to me we ought to aim for a society that is more empathetic, where everyone feels welcome, rather than wondering who we can cast as an outsider.

When I moved to SC 18 months ago, I bemoaned the lack of diversity in SC, specifically around Charleston, but lately I have seen signs of change. However, I too think that the article referred to made a grave error by adding this group of people to a list of "hate groups".

Personally I think "ALL" religions are as dumb as a sack of hammers.
Everybody is saying my God is better than yours, and we are killing each other over it to prove it, makes a lot of sense doesn't it.
We haven't progressed much since walking on all 4's have we.

It makes a lot of sense if you read their holy books.

And we've progressed a TON! Drone strikes don't happen on their own pal.

While I sympathize with Ms. Al Fayed's frustration, I fear she will not find that any other state is noticeably more or less populated with hate groups than South Carolina. They are everywhere. What's the running joke--everyone's racist, but only in the South are we polite and open about it?

There are numerous groups in the country named hate groups--usually by the Southern Poverty Law Center--who vociferously dispute said designation. League Of The South is one that immediately comes to mind simply due to its high visibility. The designation is less an identification of groups who are actively and violently looking to hate/act against target groups, and more an identification of groups whose ideas and policies would, if enacted, work to oppress or marginalize target groups. In that respect I think it's legitimate for both the Nation of Islam and the League of the South to be identified.

I hope Ms. Al Fayed gives South Carolina a second chance. This state is in sore need of diverse opinions and people. SC has enormous potential for spiritual eminence and growth, perhaps more than any other state, but we'll never achieve it if people simply move away at the first sight of objectionable material.

Maryam,
Are you serious? NOI isn't a hate group? Ever hear of Louie Farrakhan? Maybe it's only because he hates whites and jews that you don't consider them a hate group?

"Hate groups" are groups of people who spend to much of their precious time and energy "hating" another group of people instead of convincing the rest of the world why they are better than the group that they "hate".... Sounds like elementary school to me... I guess we haven't progressed much aside from the internet and all... We ALL better learn to get along, because natural disaster will not care who "thinks" they are the superior race/religion!

SC is no more saturated with "hate groups" than any other state. GET REAL, people!

Dear Stanley,
We can not "cure" stupid (lol), but we can teach the CHILDREN to not make the same mistakes that were made in the past... I guess it's a matter of "learning" tolerance...
I.E "Live and Let Live"... realize we are ALL human. Americans (& those trying so hard to become American citizens) need to realize we have to stop fighting each other & band together (whatever religion/race) to fight OUR common enemies.....

America has its flaws, but we are strong because in GOD We Trust ( as did our founding fathers) and we are the UNITED states... "United we stand decided we fall!"

JoSCh,
When America was attacked on Sept 11, 2001--- the "radicals" did not consider whether or not there were blacks, whites, hispanics, christians, jews, muslims, or anti-christ in the buildings or aboard the plains.... they were attacking AMERICANS...
That's what I mean about the United States of AMERICA having to come together and stop fighting each other over who's right and who's wrong and fight our common enemy-- the ones who really don't care what we believe, they just want to demolish AMERICA....

Ok. folks...I know this is a sensitive topic and I believe it's more than worthy of discussion otherwise we would not have posted the letter, and the conversation so far has been pretty good.
No one's comments have been deleted and I'm not directing this to anyone in particular, but let's be careful about bringing up the terrorist attacks and motives that we can only infer.
Thanks for reading and for sharing your enthusiasm,
Shawn

I would echo Shawn's comment and add that I have since removed one comment from the stream. Please share your thoughts and opinions, but in a respectful way.

OK. Lets try again.
If you'd like to educate yourselves on the joy that is Islam, take a look at:
www.thereligionofpeace.com

You should post a link to your kkk groups website as educational material about black people.

SD: Fair enough (I guess). I understand what you might think, what you've heard, or how you "feel", but could you point out just what on the site is not fact based?