I need rebuttal for a couple questions just posed to me.

[Frustratedlady]

overheard that Mosques are built as proof that the Muslims have conquered an area. Some one said there are over 400,00 Muslims living in the NE ??

And, that Canadians are terrified Hispanics will move in and take over Canada.

I'm trying to squelch these rumors as quickly as they pop up, but they are working overtime. At least people are asking if they are true or false.

[Richardo]

1. Tell them they don't know what they're talking about.

Mock them mercilessly. Laugh in their faces. Express disbelief that someone of their obvious intellect would believe such things. Do not stop mocking them.

An earnest reply only validates their assertion.

[Frustratedlady]

6. I try to convince them with facts. They know I won't lead them astray.

I don't want to mock them, as they are sincere in asking advice. You would not believe the rumors that are circulating out there...mainly sprouting from regular religious groups...Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic...not your radical groups. The rumors are so bad that these people are truly terrified of Muslims. They are afraid of being beheaded. Brewer didn't help that with her Mexican terror stories of headless corpses, either. Sheesh! Where is this country headed?

These people are intelligent, but if they hear this crap often enough, they will believe it. I do not want to say something that is not true or they won't trust me in the future.

[Richardo]

9. Yes, but after your reasoned response they'll hear the same misinformation 1000 more times

It then becomes a 'I'm entitled to my own facts' situation.

If not outright mocking, a sad, pitying shake of your head might get the message across.

[EC]

11. Why try with facts when these assertions are so

over the top stupid?

[LiberalFighter]

15. How many crackpots are there in the Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic groups?

Have they ever spread rumors about each other throughout history?

Why would they be afraid of being beheaded? Did they do something wrong? Don't they believe in the Constitution? If they really want to protect themselves from other religions they really need to demand that the 1st Amendment regarding religion be followed as intended. Meaning as long as they keep their religion out of government their lifestyle will endure. And not try to enforce their beliefs on others that don't practice the same religion. Religions don't have the right to imprison or execute those that don't follow their beliefs. They do have the right to excommunicate or cancel their membership.

[Frustratedlady]

20. Your thoughts echo a great deal of my response to her.

I feel exactly the same way, but wish it was that way worldwide.

I was brought up as Methodist...live and let live...and try to follow that belief as closely as I can, but there are days...

This is one of them.

Thanks for your input.

[sadbear]

2. There's a mosque down the street from where I work

I was unaware they they had conquered anything in Texas.

[Warpy]

3. They're both false, of course

There is a mosque about 3 miles from me, but there is no sign that Muslims have taken over my city in New Mexico, nor even that particular neighborhood. While women wearing the hijab are barely noticed (it's nuts to wander around in the desert sun without some kind of head covering), they tend to discard it after a few months here. Muslims I work with are largely indistinguishable from their Protestant Christian cousins, although they'll avoid that pulled pork at the company picnic.

My Canadian friends have voiced concern only that a conservative government will allow US style health care to take over for their very excellent national health insurance system. They've got enough problems with their French minority that they don't even recognize the Hispanic one as any sort of threat.

The proper response to both statements is, as always, "You bought that?" and walk away laughing.

[TheMuse]

4. In response to the Mosques

Ask them if our bases in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Turkey, also signify a conquered area?

[meegbear]

5. You're probably not gonna be able to squelch them, but ...

you can point out the before 1500, there were no churches in the Americas, until white European appeared and conquered the natives. Oh, and also made them slaves, because that was the "Christian thing to do".

[TheMuse]

7. I like this too.

But he is right, there is nothing you can say to squelch them. Most likely you just have to be calm, ask them tough questions, and they usually just go away.

[Frustratedlady]

8. Thanks to all of you for your responses.

These are good people that are asking the questions. I don't think people realize how these rumors are eating at their common sense. They fear that which they do not know. The sad thing is, they'll never know them, as they are prejudiced and don't know it.

Does that make sense?

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Go ahead and scare the s**t out of them: more than 5 million Muslims in USA!

http://www.islam101.com/history/population2_usa.html

800,000 in New York alone. They no more build a mosque as a sign of conquering an area than we do by building army bases... uh wait. To correct that stupid idea(introduced by Complete Idiots' Guide to Understanding Islam?), send them this:
http://muslimspeak.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/the-meaning-and-evolution-of-the-word-mosque/

Don't think Canada needs to worry about being taken over by Hispanics, as they make up about 1% of the population.

[Frustratedlady]

21. I used your link. Thanks! n/t

[Lucy Goosey]

12. Who on earth thinks that about Canada?

I can't speak for all Canadians or anything, but I do happen to work for Citizenship & Immigration Canada in Ottawa - I monitor Canadian media for coverage of immigration issues, and I haven't read anything indicating that there is any particular concern about there being too much Hispanic immigration.

[h8okra]

16. Truth is not

important. I think people are terrified and will believe anything from any source if it is negative and threatening. If you try to enlighten them they believe you are part of the cabal, conspiracy, communist agenda or Socialist Obama camp. If you don't vote Democratic this election you will be forced to live in an America you will ant to leave but will not be able to as the border fences will be constructed. They will be meant to keep you in as much as to keep others out. (well ... that might be a little hyperbole, but not much.

[gratuitous]

13. The shortest response

"Where in the world did you hear that?!"

Go from there. If their source is "Fox" or "I dunno, I read it somewhere on the internet," tell them in the most authoritative tone you can muster, "Well, it's not true, and you should be careful of what you hear on Fox or read on the internet." If they have an actual source of some credibility, it could be a teachable moment wherein you can train them on reading with critical eye rather than a credulous mind.

[Heidi]

14. I would say: "You must have mosques/ Muslims confused with

the US and military installations."

[RaleighNCDUer]

17. Re: populations - define the area 'NE'. Is that all of New England, including

New York? Does it include New Jersey? Pennsylvania? 400,000 Muslims, in a population of what, 40,000,000? That's about 1%. Hardly seems like 'conquest' to me.

[Frustratedlady]

18. I have shared the info you all have graciously provided, plus my own feelings.

I am a firm believer of separation of church and state in ALL countries.

Not only did I have to straighten out THAT rumor, but the one on the child brides of a mass wedding by Hamas.

I'll be SO GLAD when this election is over.

Thanks everyone!!!!!

[red red red]

22. This is what I do...

My backstory: My brother-in-law constantly sent me emails when Obama was running for President - ugly emails (we all know the kind). I asked him very nicely not to do that as I knew I was voting Obama and he was voting McCain. But he taunted and taunted then... Obama won! Well, I sent him a couple, being nice, but gloating some. He wrote back quoting something in the bible - like not 'shoving it into his face'. (but I laughed and laughed when I received his reply). So, for a lomg time there was no political talk. Then... he started again. But, these have all been old emails from 2004, 2006 and 2008 and can easily be exposed. But, everytime I send the link to the 'exposition', I start off with "Gotcha again, didn't they. Well, get used to it, at least until November when the Koch bros. money runs out They must think you guys are stupid, telling you things like that. But truly, I know you are just kidding when you send this. Guess thats why I love you guys - you'll can send jokes like this and you know I will understand. How is ____, etc." They are sending less and less of the emails. Then when Rachel exposed the C Street 'gang' and Uganda trash, I sent this to them - don't believe they knew about that. Oh yes, they are gay and living in Texas.

[blogslut]

19. It's very simple

Ask them for proof, in writing, for the claims they make.

[SheilaT]

23. I'm inclined to agree

with the poster who said you should just laugh at them. I am in awe of your ability to be respectful in the face of such ignorance.

But do make the comparison to U.S. military bases.

Since a mosque is simply a Muslim house of worship, I guess all churches, synagogues, whatever, must also represent conquering of an area. Of course, such things only get built when there are enough members of that faith community to require such a building.

I just learned today that there's a mosque here in Santa Fe. I'm amazed and delighted. Had no idea we had enough Muslims to require one.

[Frustratedlady]

25. I am trying to be respectful because I know these are good people...

who have been fed the wrong information...by people of faith, no less. At least she came to me to set her right, if she was wrong. We ARE making progress, slowly but surely.

However, the other part of her question was about mass weddings of child brides, which turned out to be nieces and sisters of the brides who were acting as a sort of flower girl. The photos were nice, but the accompanying dialogue was horrible. It is that type of propaganda (and I think I am right in calling it that) that is turning people away in fear from Islam, Muslim, Hamas, Mideast...on and on and on. That piece was written by a Dr. Paul L. Williams, Ph.D. I was just reading up on him. He seems to be quite prolific.

Thank you for your input.

[mwb970]

24. The mosque thing makes no sense.

Muslims also build a mosque if enough of them simply move to a new area, just like Christians build churches wherever they go. Many small towns here in central Ohio have many churches. Does that mean that these areas have been "conquered" by Christians? Or does it just mean that Christians live there?

In any case, my advice would be to completely ignore all such comments. No response is worth the brain power you would expend thinking it up. You might as well talk to the cat.