No one is disputing they have a right to build.
Oh yes they are. And many of them are putting pressure on the gov't to stop it.
Very few are doing that. Those who are are wrong. Government force is not the right way to oppose this thing. There are real religious freedom issues... but just because somebody has the freedom to, for example, protest against gays at military funerals, does not mean I have to like it or that it shouldn't be opposed by other means.
And if it's just about the location, as many of the protesters say, why are Mosques in Tennessee and other states being protested?
Because people are starting to realize how dangerous Islam is as an ideology and do not want it to spread. I'm not sure that's possible (other than by education), but people certainly have the right to protest.
Hell, the one in Tennessee was just burned down.
And that is terrible, if in fact somebody opposed to the mosque building did it. Last time a mosque burnt down (just a few months ago), it was discovered to be the act of one of the partitioners, seeking to make it look like a hate crime to gain sympathy.
Why are there Q'uran burnings?
The Qur'an commands husbands to beat their wives, commands murder of unbelievers, condones rape (women taken as war booty), and the list goes on and on. Burning the Qur'an is merely a carryover of the Cartoon controversy. It's a statement of free speech.
How far away is far enough? It's being labeled as the "ground zero" Mosque even though it's a full 2 blocks (and NYC blocks at that) away from 'ground zero'.
Still as close as possible, and they admitted it. They claim it's to build community between Muslims and non-muslims but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense considering the Imam of the mosque blames the US for 9/11 and doesn't consider Hamas a terrorist organization.
And sorry, Christianity isn't so peaceful itself. Crusades? Inquisition? Abortion clinic bombings? Doctor killings?
Christianity itself cannot be blamed when people disobey it's strict commands to turn the other cheek no matter what. Strictly speaking Christians** should oppose war, the death penalty, aggression of any kind, etc...
You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
—Matthew 5:38-42, NIV
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
—Luke 6:27-31. NIV
Blame those individuals who call themselves Christians and yet do not follow the teachings of Christianity.
** note that I am not a Christian. Pacifism is idiotic. In most situations the above advice is wise but when people are irrational and intend to kill you, they cannot be negotiated with and must be defended against with as much force as is necessary.
The Murrah building in Oklahoma City?
Tim McVeigh was an atheist.
We have religious freedom in this country. It applies to all religions, not just Christianity or the ones we like.
Sure we do. We also have the freedom to run through Harlem screaming "nigger nigger nigger nigger" at the top of our lungs. Building a Mosque called "Cordoba" as close as possible to GZ is just about as offensive and people who would take such action should be protested against to the full extent possible
within the law.