When the Supreme Court ruled that marriage equality was the law of the land — and even before — the Religious Right was all twitterpated about their loss of religious liberty and that they were going to be discriminated against. To demonstrate what it’s like to be discriminated against on the basis of religion, let’s go to Farmersville, Texas.
A proposal to bring a Muslim cemetery to Farmersville has stoked fears among residents who are vehemently trying to convince community leaders to block the project. The sentiment reflects an anti-Muslim distrust that has been brewing over the last year in parts of Texas, most notably 25 miles away in Garland — the scene of a deadly May shooting outside a cartoon contest lampooning the Prophet Muhammad.
“The concern for us is the radical element of Islam,” David J. Meeks, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, told The Dallas Morning News. He said he thinks the cemetery would be the first step toward a broader Muslim expansion in town.
“How can we stop a mosque or madrassa training center from going in there?” he asked, referring to a type of Islamic school.
So “religious liberty” only counts if it’s the right kind of religion. Got it.
One of my favorite stories on this issue, especially apropos in light of your illustration: A Louisiana state legislator, whose name I have mercifully forgotten, was all gung-ho about Bobby Jindal’s proposal to allow religious schools to participate in the state’s school voucher program — until a Muslim school applied. Then she was against it. Her rationale? “I thought ‘religious’ meant ‘Christian.'”
I remember her. That was in July 2012, and that’s when Palmetto Bay Friends Meeting put up that sign. What a coincidence.
Texas isn’t the only place where locals freak out about mosques. Remember the long running battle with a Tennessee town to prevent a mosque being built there? Permits had been issued upon inspection of the group’s plans and the shovels were ready to go when LO! the religious (Christian, probably Southern Baptists) residents reared up and shouted it down. Lawsuits ensued and it took several years to finally get the mosque built. Depressing how many stupids abound.