Islamophobic idiots protest construction of building they think is a mosque (Actually a church)

[ck4829]

In an era saturated with absurd moments of anti-Muslim fear-mongering, mosques have become a touchstone for Islamophobia. Even unbuilt mosques have set off a wave of anti-Muslim sentiment in Tennessee, Texas, California, and most notably, New York. Not to be outdone, the people of Pheonix, AZ were quick to call foul over the appearance of a dome-like structure along an interstate. But in the clamor over the impending Muslim takeover, these Arizonans missed one small detail — the building is not a Mosque, it’s a church:

A new dome-like structure near 19th Avenue along Interstate 10 in Phoenix is the Light of the World church, a nondenominational Christian church hoping to modernize traditional worship services, a church spokesman said

Since the distinctive dome shape went up, church leaders said they have received phone calls from concerned neighbors who’ve mistaken the building for an Islamic mosque.

On Wednesday, church officials hung a sign reminding people they’re Christian congregation. “We’re trying to let people know that we’re Christian and our churches are modern,” said Uzieo Martinez.

“It is unfortunate that people are so intolerant to differences that they aren’t willing to see that the place of worship is not a mosque,” said Tayyibah Amatullah of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Arizona chapter. But with so many high-profile figures selling unfounded, anti-Muslim fear to the public, is it any wonder that all many Americans can see in Islam is a phantom menace?

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/15/mosque-church-whoopsidoodles/

[tanyev]

1. OMG, it's got a dome!

[madrchsod]

2. let`s see.....

church -mosque-museum



there`s others....

[mwb970]

3. As always, the conservatives show their true colors.

1. Strong opinions
2. Absolute certainty
3. Total ignorance

It's the right wing way!

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. How sad the church had to hang a sign.

It really shouldn't make a difference if it is a church, mosque, stupa, synagogue, or temple. What the hell is wrong with people? :(

[eShirl]

5. “It is unfortunate that people are so intolerant to differences that they aren’t willing to see tha

“It is unfortunate that people are so intolerant to differences that they aren’t willing to see that the place of worship is not a mosque,”


I see irony is not yet dead.

[DCKit]

6. "Non-denominational" is code for "Muslim".

You heard it here first.

[Igel]

7. Ha!

I saw the thing being built when I was there in October and thought, "Gee, what an ostentatious mosque. Boy, does that look familiar."

Then I remembered seeing the same architecture on a building on I-45 in N. Houston, remembered thinking that it was a mosque, and then remember being a bit surprised when I saw a "La luz del mundo" written on the sign (when the sign finally went up). Just another quirky little church. Or big church. But still ostentatious.

Thinking the building is a mosque or not a mosque is not intolerance, however. It just requires looking at the building and saying, "Gee, I wonder what that is? Could it be a mosque? Sure, there aren't a lot of neighborhood buildings with shiny gold domes on top, the only building I know with a bright shiny dome on it is a mosque, so it could well be a mosque." Condemning it or being suspicious of it, that moves closer to intolerance.

Oddly, I never thought "La luz del mundo" was compatible with "mosque." Perhaps that shows intolerance?

[Violet_Crumble]

11. Yeah, no more intolerant than mistaking a Sikh for a Muslim and murdering them...

Maybe I'm missing something, but the OP was about people who are so intolerant of anything Muslim that they knee-jerked away opposing the building of what they thought was a mosque but turned out to be a church. I'm not sure how anyone could not think that was intolerant behaviour...

[Manifestor_of_Light]

8. Reform Synagogue in San Antonio.

Built in the 1920s.

[opihimoimoi]

9. But But...Its the same GOD, GODDESS throughout the Universe

Even Aliens have the same ENTITY....

[donheld]

10. It seems this country has an endless supply of idiots.