I can tell how much you hated to do that.
I think there's another option.
I'm not suggesting to you that this church and these people don't have a right to do this (although there may be legal precedent to disallow this kind of thing for the safety of our troops and citizens... see my previous posts).
My point is just because the pastor and the church are allowed to do it doesn't mean they should.
I can already hear the cries of HYPOCRITE! forming on people's keyboards as we speak, since much of the debate around Park51 has centered on that exact same premise, but let me tell you why this is different;
THEY'RE CHRISTIANS.
IOW, I believe that the Love of God sometimes compels us to forgo our "rights". According to 1 Corinthians 13:5, Love does not insist on its own rights, nor its own way. Therefore, I find it perfectly reasonable to express to my brothers and sisters in Christ, even though you may have the right, that doesn't make it right.
With that said, even though I disagree with them, I still support their rights. Even though I personally find the whole thing remarkably irresponsible, selfish and self-serving, not to mention a horrible witness for Christianity, I absolutely respect their right to do it.
I believe there is a remarkable difference between giving up your rights because the Love of God compels you vs. giving up your rights because someone else tells you that you should.