I am waiting on the immigration status of the 2 suspects. And how much they and their families are claiming in benefits

The point is that the actions of the IRA didn't cause people to attack Catholic churches, so why should the actions of Al Qaeda cause people to attack mosques?

Irony alert.

Thinking? That would involve having more than two braincells

Quite so.
And that is the feckin point.
If you didn't blame Catholicism for the dreadful acts of the IRA, why blame Islam in general for the acts of Al Quaeda or other extremists?

Where am I blaming Islam for the actions of extremists? I'm doing quite the opposite. I'm not even blaming government policy (as someone else was). I'm blaming the terrorists. Only the terrorists are to blame for acts of terrorism, regardless of the cause they identify with.

Good. So no justification for bricking a mosque then.

I doubt very much that Catholic churches went completely unscathed in Northern Ireland throughout the troubles. They may have done but I would be very surprised. However, I would have to read up a detailed history of events to find out whether they were attacked as I didn't live in Northern Ireland.

I didn't say there was.

I'm not talking about churches in NI. Churches in England weren't attacked in response to terrorist acts on the mainland.

I know, but you seemed to be missing the point that was being made about Al Qaeda and Islam

No, but that is because in England the IRA was largely seen as a nationalist organisation and not a religious one.

Then maybe you could rephrase the point?

This reads like a justification for attacking that mosque.
Please tell me it isn't.

Maybe you could read the thread properly and not jump into a point before you know what is being discussed?

Maybe you could stop being so defensive and rude?

I thought I [ihad[/i understood the point. If I haven't, then it's up to the person making the point to rephrase it so that I [ican[/i understand it.

Either that or the racist scumbags in the EDL (or its equivalent) could separate the IRA from all Catholics in a way they are unable to separate Al Qaeda from all Muslims.

I don't think the EDL existed back in the day of IRA activity but I'm sure there were similar although I don't ever remember hearing mention of them (mind you there wasn't a 24 hour news service back then either or social networking sites so I'm sure we were a lot less informed generally).

The actions or remit of the EDL cannot be justified. Sadly, alas, it is the way of some forms of humanity to misdirect their anger.

How many Muslims were there in the UK in 1707? How many when I was a kid even?

What percentage odf the UK population were practicising Muslims in 1700? 1800? 1900? 1960?

Don't you read the news or even listen to muslim spokesmen on TV? Where do these youngsters get indoctrinated with this hate for the society they live in?

It isn't. The point I was making was that just perhaps it is an manifestation of a change in public attitudes that our politicians need to reflect.

I get my news from sources other than the Daily Mail.

So not the left-wing BBC either then I see.

Er, no. It's up to you to re-read it and try to understand it.