Christianism: The Real Force Behind the Mosque Controversy

I have already noted that part of the insane controversy around the proposed Muslim community center proposed for lower Manhattan is being fueled by the shameless pandering and opportunism of low lifers within the Republican Party like Sarah Palin, the thrice married Newt Gingrich, Rep. Peter King and many others. These folks would truly sell out their own mothers if they thought it would find them a vote or two more amongst the untethered from reality GOP base. However, in my view, the real underlying cause of it all is the Christianists' desire to stamp out anyone and any religion that challenges their goal of a quasi-theocratic nation where their sick form of Christianity is allowed to dominate all other religious views. It is all part and parcel of the "our way or the highway" mentality that seems to be the dominant theme of today's conservative Christians who are just as extreme and just as hate-filled as the Islamic extremists that they condemn. The shirt on the protester outside a mosque in Bridgeport, Connecticut - well away from "Ground Zero" via the Connecticut Post pretty much sums up this dangerous mentality. Here are highlights from the accompanying story:
*
About a dozen right-wing Christians, carrying placards and yelling "Islam is a lie," angrily confronted worshippers outside a Fairfield Avenue mosque Friday. "Jesus hates Muslims," they screamed at worshippers arriving at the Masjid An-Noor mosque to prepare for the holy month of Ramadan. One protester shoved a placard at a group of young children leaving the mosque. "Murderers," he shouted.
*
Police arrived on the scene to separate the groups, but said no arrests were made. Flip Benham, of Dallas, Texas, organizer of the protest, was yelling at the worshipers with a bullhorn. "This is a war in America and we are taking it to the mosques around the country," he said.
*
Mustafa Salahuddin, an Ansonia police officer and parishioner at the mosque, calmly watched the protesters from the mosque's parking area. "This is unfortunate, but it's a free country," he commented on the protest. "But I believe Jesus would have been appalled by this. We revere Jesus the same way they do."

*

Behavior like this plays right into the hands of Islamic fundamentalists who are only too happy to claim that America is at war against Islam itself rather than merely terrorists. Do people like those in the photo give a damn that they are aiding our enemies? Likely not. It is, after all, all about them and their beliefs and to Hell with everyone else. Christianity is increasingly becoming something vile. In this form, it most assuredly deserves to die.