Islamic college next to church a 'slap in the face'

Dec 4th, 2008
goldcoast.com.au

A GOLD Coast Christian centre is outraged at the prospect of an Islamic college being built next door to it at Carrara. Dream Centre minister Tony Doherty said ... an Islamic college next door to a Christian church was a 'slap in the face'... "Would you put the Labor and Liberal party offices right next door to one another?"

Sydney Morning Herald

But he denies a protest movement to have the college banned is based on
religious grounds ... "That's not good commonsense and town planning. Would you put the Titans (rugby league club) right next to the Broncos? ..."

Liberal v Labor. Titans v Broncos. Slap in the face. His message is: Christians and Muslims are inherently antagonistic and will naturally conflict. How so? He doesn't say. Apparently we should all know because it's "commonsense".

So for some vague, but commonsense, reason he favours segregation of inherently antagonistic Christian and Muslim groups. The proximity of Muslims and Christians results in an inevitable slap in the face. So Tony Doherty is proposing a "no slapping" regulation in the town planning laws.

What a ringing endorsement for diversity, free speech, and dialogue (and pathetically impotent defence of realm) that a Christian minister, when confronted with diversity head on, can only utter the unreasoned sentiment: get out of my face.

See also: Meet the children they fear