Optimist, Atma... I could be wrong but I think you're looking at this based on the intentions of the parties involved while I'm looking at public reaction.

The people associated with the NY Mosque just want to build a community center and improve their neighborhood and have good intentions. Meanwhile, crazy Pastor dude just seems to want to piss people off so you are against him because he has bad intentions. I agree, from the standpoint of their intentions, these are very different situations..

However, when I say there are similarities in the two controversies, I'm talking about the reaction of the American people which was almost identical. In both cases, polls have shown that the majority of Americans think both actions are "very offensive" and should be stopped... despite the fact that both groups have the right to proceed.

But what I found interesting was that the reaction on these forums was quite different.

The Sydlexians response to the NY Mosque situation was generally "They have the right to practice their religion whether or not people are offended."

While the response to crazy Pastor dude was generally "Fuck that guy!"

There are definitely some differences and some similarities between the two situations. Maybe not apples and apples... but apple and Apple Jacks.