General News Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemetery

That1Guy · Feb 1, 2014

A Tennessee congressman recently called it “unfortunate” that state laws allowed a local mosque — a victim of arson that gained national attention several years ago — to build a new cemetery on its grounds.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) took to Facebook last Friday to inform his constituents that he had heard their concerns about the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro being permitted to construct a cemetery on its grounds loud and clear and shared their worries.

“Friends, I have received numerous calls over the last couple of weeks regarding the Murfreesboro mosque cemetery,” DesJarlais wrote. “Although this is a state issue, I am deeply concerned over the impact it might have on our community.”

The issue DesJarlais was referring to was the decision from the Rutherford County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) at the beginning of the month to approve the Islamic Center’s request to construct a cemetery on its grounds. The decision had been deferred from December while the mosque was required to provide outside analysis on what impact the new burial site — which would follow Muslim customs — would have on the community. In the end, the approval was granted by a vote of 3-2, along with stipulations that the Center keep records of the burial locations and that the permit shall expire in the event the property is sold for a non-religious use.

While members of the mosque celebrated the decision, DesJarlais believes that the BZA’s approval could have been withheld if only the state legislature had not passed a law protecting religious freedom. “Unfortunately the Tennessee Religious Freedom Act, passed by the TN General Assembly, may have played a key role in allowing this cemetery to be approved,” the two-term representative wrote. “There is a difference between legislation that would protect our religious freedoms and legislation that would allow for the circumvention of laws that other organizations comply with on a daily basis.”

DesJarlais was referring to Tennessee’s passage of the Tennessee Religious Freedom Act in 2009, a bill which provides that “no government entity shall substantially burden a person’s free exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability.” The Republican’s newfound opposition to the bill was seen as surprising to Saleh Sbenaty, a board member of the Murfreesboro mosque. “Republicans in particular call for smaller government and the local government to manage itself,” she told to The Daily News Journal. “So now here he is interfering with a local process that has been following all rules and regulations [...] There are 514 cemeteries in Rutherford County. None of them have gone through the scrutiny we have gone through.”

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Just another bible thumper who doesn't understand that religious freedom applies to everyone, not just Christians. Except this time it's an elected congressman. Can't really be surprised though considering this is the "pro life family values" guy who had an affair and told his mistress to get an abortion. It amazes me how these people are elected and re-elected.

resu · Feb 1, 2014

Re: Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemete

What a disgusting man.

Aussie792 · Feb 1, 2014

Re: Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemete

Haha, I hope his ears ring with the call to prayer. :lol:

---------- Post added 2nd Feb 2014 at 04:39 PM ----------

Holy fuck, I didn't realise he was opposing a cemetary, not just a mosque. That's disgusting.

nichison · Feb 6, 2014

Re: Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemete

There are 500+ cemetaries in Tennessee and this stupid ass thinks that Muslims shouldn't be allowed ONE. How would this guy reacy if he was told he couldn't put up a Christian cemetary? He would flip out!

SongshiQuan · Feb 6, 2014

Re: Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemete

I can't wait to get out of this hell-hole of a state.(I live in TN, if that wasn't clear). I honestly believe they started the Manhattan project(and still store the nation's largest cache of weapons-grade uranium) in East TN because if they screwed up and irradiated the area no one would give a shit.

BookDragon · Feb 6, 2014

Re: Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemete

" “There is a difference between legislation that would protect our religious freedoms and legislation that would allow for the circumvention of laws that other organizations comply with on a daily basis.”"

ahahahahahahaha.

justjade · Feb 6, 2014

Re: Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemete

I'd love to see what he thinks he can do about it.

General News Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemetery

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General News Congressman Complains That Religious Freedom Law Allowed Mosque To Build A Cemetery

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