I've also been reading this thread with interest.
The objectors are all casting this as some sort of proxy in the larger "Christianity is better than Islam" battle. Read the responses above.
Joy, I didn't get that from reading the posts. What I read seemed to represent quite a diversity of opinion, with some posts recognising the range of ideas under the umbrella of Islam, and others also acknowledging the constitutional right of this particular group to build its centre and yet bothered by the lack of sensitivity of the action. It's clearly a really complex issue for many, as I gather the American President has indicated over this weekend with his two statements which boil down to: "Yes, but on the other hand"
Personally, I like Vicki's idea of a multi-faith community centre - it seems such an optimistic idea.
c.
