First, the Anti-Defamation League took the odd position against Park51, the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque,” despite agreeing that it’s wrong to discriminate against Muslims, who have the same right as anyone to build a house of worship on private property. Now, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission has pulled out of an interfaith group (founded by the ADL, incidentally) dedicated to supporting Muslims rights to build mosques in their communities — again, despite acknowledging that those rights are well worth supporting.

Getting too hot in that kitchen, guys?

From the AP :

Richard Land, the head of the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said he heard from many Southern Baptists who felt the work of the Interfaith Coalition on Mosques crossed the line from defending religious freedom to promoting Islam.

“I don’t agree with that perception but it’s widespread and I have to respect it,” he told The Associated Press.

Religion Clause has more on this story.

On a related note, The New York Times reported last week that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf will no longer be the public face of the controversial Park51 project — presumably, in an effort to take some of the hot air out of the opposition’s sails.

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