Is intolerance alive and well in Bendigo ?

[pct001wine]

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/06/19/bendigo-mosque-approved-amid-local-protest

I had a quick look at the FB page that was set up in opposition to the approval for the mosque.  Truly disgusting.

And now the councillors that approved the development are being targeted.

Is this what we have become ?   Where are our leaders decrying this behaviour ?

[durruticolumna]

"It isn't about bigotry.It isn't about racism"
Oh yes it is.

[kabarine]

How can it be racism, Islam is a religion NOT a race, omg that word is some over used these days lol

[cherples]

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@kabarine wrote:

How can it be racism, Islam is a religion NOT a race, omg that word is some over used these days lol

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It can easily be racism when those on the attack treat islam as a race instead of a religion. It is racist when the religion is used to attack people of various races based on the perceived common religion.

[kabarine]

I have no intention of arguing the point re what is/is not racism.  Usually anger is born from fear, wrongly or rightly, I believe those who don't want a mosque being built in Bendigo or anywhere else have a genuine fear of what may happen. 

[durruticolumna]

Yes, I can see it now.Public stonings in Bendigo showground,suicide bombers in Kangaroo Flat,kebab shops at Eaglehawk.

[azureline**]

Bendigo Councillor Elise Chapman says many residents are worried about an "influx" of Muslims in their area.

"This isn't about racism. This isn't about bigotry. It's genuine concern," she told SBS.

Council documents show the majority of complaints related to concerns over the influence of Islam, citing the threat of terrorism, the introduction of Sharia and the dilution of "Christian values".

Perhaps they want to segregate themselves? So, if they don't look muslim, they are ok? unless they see them in the mosque, they may not know..................

[love*today]

Ahhhh there you go pct, your thread is picking up on the hostility now.....slow to get going but like always the PC people always bring the hostility 🙂

[cherry*135]

Urban population of Bendigo 83 000 approx.

Number of protestors 200

The media do love to sensationalise these types of stories.

[imastawka]

So 83,000pop             200 protestors           I know Bendigonians

How many in either category are intelligent?

         

waits for onslaught