More articles on the not-a-mosque issue

Now, there's something I see over and over again in the comments to these articles. Apparently, because NO Muslim countries (where Muslim = Arab and Arab = Muslim, of course) allow churches, we can't allow any mosques in NYC.

The most obvious thing wrong with this statement is that, uh, it's wrong. A quick google search found me many refuatations of this story. If you bring this up, of course, the people saying it will try to change their words, going on about how Christians are treated unfairly in these other countries (I wouldn't know, I've never been there, but then, neither have they) and this and that - but what they SAID was WRONG.

However, the more important thing that's wrong with this statement is the fact that this isn't some other country! This is the United States of America! Freedom of religion is one of our most important precepts - it's the very first amendment! Speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition! (It's a very catchy chant. Try it.) Instead of trying to tit-for-tat Saudi Arabia, shouldn't we be holding ourselves to our own high standards?

Mixed in with this are the more "humorous" suggestions that the "mosque" (it's not) should be built "with a synagogue next to it" or a church (as though Jews and Christians only exist so Muslims can be annoyed or something) or a strip club (there are plenty in that neighborhood already. Actually, there are plenty of churches too, though I don't know about synagogues).

And of course the complaint that it'd somehow be terrible or shocking or irritating to hear a call to prayer. Nobody ever complains about churchbells on the hour (half hour, quarter hour....), or at least when they do they don't say it's somehow anything other than a noise complaint.

What really bugs me about all these arguments is how incredibly, unbearably hypocritical they all are. I just can't stand it.

(Also, I loathe "I don't blame all Muslims for 9/11, but I think it's insensitive". What is this? Either you blame them, in which case you should fess up and save the rest of us the trouble of trying to have a conversation with you, or you do NOT blame them, in which case you shouldn't feel upset by this at all.)

So, on with the links!

Not really recent, but it's vaguely topical about Muslim victims of 9/11.
Also, here is Wikipedia's fascinating article on Islam in the US

For Mosque Sponsors, Early Missteps Fueled Storm

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In Lower Manhattan, Two Mosques Have Firm Roots

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Obama Strongly Backs Islam Center Near 9/11 Site

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Mayor’s Stance on Muslim Center Has Deep Roots

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