Ron Ramsey, Tennessee’s Lieutenant Governor and a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial primary, is claiming Islam, the world’s second largest religion, may not be a religion after all.
Ramsey, lagging in polls in the Republican gubernatorial primary race, claims he's not sure if Constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion apply to Islam, since, he says, Islam may be a cult, and not a religion.
For an elected official to suggest that Muslims are not entitled to First Amendment protection is so outrageous as to be near criminal.
How is such absurd ignorance possible? What is Ramsey thinking? What are Republicans of Tennessee thinking?
"Now, you could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, cult whatever you want to call it," Ramsey said. "Now certainly we do protect our religions, but at the same time this is something we are going to have to face."
"Now, you know, I'm all about freedom of religion. I value the First Amendment as much as I value the Second Amendment as much as I value the Tenth Amendment and on and on and on," he said. "But you cross the line when they try to start bringing Sharia Law here to the state of Tennessee -- to the United States. We live under our Constitution and they live under our Constitution."
Several days later Ramsey told TPM:
My concern is that far too much of Islam has come to resemble a violent political philosophy more than peace-loving religion. It's time for American Muslims who love this country to publicly renounce violent jihadism and to drum those who seek to do America harm out of their faith community.
Apparently religious bigots in Tennessee are worried because Muslims are building an Islamic Center near Murfreesboro. The episode only serves to demonstrate an ignorance and religious bigotry that apparently runs deep in Tennessee. Let us hope the people of Tennessee will have the good sense to reject such ugliness, as well as the ignorance of Ron Ramsey.
Comments
I am for Ron Ramsey.
I am for Ron Ramsey. He is the only candidate running that has the courage to speak up and be honest about difficult issues. He also has good common sense.
As an atheist I think all religions are bunk, and both Christianity and Islam are death cults. That said, followers are protected in their ability to worship by the Constitution. Anyone running for office who doesn't understand that should be excluded simply by proving to be dumber than dirt.
We should listen to Ron Ramsey. There are radical muslims that have bombed and killed innocent people in this country. If we don't wake up and pay attention to what is going on this country is going to lose our constitution and our rights altogether. Ron Ramsey is absolutely right about this.
"It's time for American Muslims who love this country to publicly renounce violent jihadism and to drum those who seek to do America harm out of their faith community."
So where was Ramsey just LAST weekend when over SIX THOUSAND American Muslims of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (America's OLDEST established Muslim Community) convened near our Nations capital to condemn terrorism, promote peace, promote loyalty to America, and promote freedom of religion???
Ramsey might be hurting for votes, but now he's hurting for ethical integrity as well.
Now, you could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, cult whatever you want to call it," Ramsey said. "Now certainly we do protect our religions, but at the same time this is something we are going to have to face."
Islam is a religion, Muslims are followers. Ramsey is another Rep. wants to be elected by using false information about Islam. He never been to the Mosque in Murfreesboro at all. He will lose his seat becasuse he is zero knowledge when it comes to outside his city. ( Islamic Laws) are 90% the same as the US CONSTITUTIONS. WWW.SULTAN.ORG IS ONE SOURCE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ISLAM. I WILL VOTE HIM OUT.
ISLAM IS NOT A RELIGION! IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND MILITANT POLITICAL CULT!
ISLAM DOES NOT ALLOW FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION!
ISLAM DOES NOT ALLOW FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH!
ISLAM ESPOUSES VIOLENCE AND CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!
ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS THE TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD, IS ON AN INEVITABLE PATH TO VIOLENCE!
TO READ WHAT ISLAM TEACHES, GOOGLE: AMERICAN THINKER SHARIA LAW
AND READ: THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY SHARIA IS BAD FOR ALL SOCIETIES
THIS GOVERNOR IS RIGHT! ISLAM IS NOT A RELIGION! IT IS A SICK AND MILITANT AND DISGUSTING CULT!
The man, Ron SAID he was researchiing the matter, that it had recently been brought to his attention,, why is it people DONT LISTEN to what is said, instead of making presumptios statements of what he did'nt say, you should listen...But as was said, is we have a constution, its to be aheard by ALL peoples, races, religions, sexes, and so forth...Now it appears that the constitution is dire straits to accomplish what it was intended for........
What's to research? It is a religion in all the same ways that Christianity is a religion. It is based off of the same root religion - Judaism. And it's been considered a religion for just as long as Christianity. Personally, I don't believe in either, but that doesn't change the fact that both are just as much religions. Therefor, protected just the same by the 1st Amendment.
The writer of this article is an idiot! Islam is attacking our country and it's the stupid libs like the author of this article is to ignorant to realize it. Yes there are peaceful people of Islam, but there were nice Japanese citizens. Not all Japanese citizens attacked us. Islam is at war with us and they want our country, way of life, and our constitution destroyed. Beware, because our kids could possibly be living in an island republic if we do no do something. Go Ron Ramsey!
John,
First off we have a couple million Muslims in this nation that have no interest in terrorizing the rest of us. Second, we have the First Amendment of the Constitution, that not only protects your right to practice your religion, but it also protects their right to practice theirs (and my right to not believe either). And third, the U.S. was wrong to imprison American citizens of Japanese descent in WWII as well.
And before you assume that I'm un-American, you should know that I served our military with honor for 21 years.
All Religion's are cults to another Religon I just see one more than you. Blood sacrfice, human sacrafice, or followers sacrificing themselves. Its all mystical madness play acting as valid reason to oppress humanity.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!