Does the Constitution guarantee of freedom of religion for Muslims?
Tennessee Lt Gov Ron Ramsey raised that question at a recent campaign event that made national news earlier this week.
Ramsey currently is fighting for the Republican nomination running third in the state's Republican gubernatorial primary race. When asked at a recent rally, about the "threat that's invading our country from the Muslims," Ramsey expressed support for Constitutional protections of religious expression but questioned whether Islam could really be considered a religion.
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. Now certainly we do protect our religions, but at the same time this is something we are going to have to face.
The questioner was likely referring to a controversy over a new Muslim community center being built in Murfreesboro --he referred to it as a Mosque (which Murfreesboro already has). Ramsey used the opportunity to drum up fear that it would send the United States one step closer to accepting Sharia law.
So much for that famed southern hospitality. Some in Tennessee, including some gubernatorial candidates, claim this proposed Islamic center is secretly pursuing a "radical agenda." The town already has a mosque. Apparently, it still needs a welcoming committee. (Nashville Tennessean)
In no time, Ramsey's comments became national news --the NY Times, USA Today, CBS News, and one the web's most heavily travelled blogs, the Huffington Post. Everybody's playing it straight, as in what Ramsey said was so obviously horrifying that it doesn't even deserve comment.
Kinda hard to argue with that.
Ramsey previously made news around the country when he said he didn't know whether President Obama is legit.
The election is next week.
You'll notice in the video (the invading Muslims question comes at around 3:10) that Ramsey admits he's only cared about the Muslim takeover of the U-S for a few weeks, which begs the question, Does Ron Ramsey hate Muslims enough?
In fact, we should all worry about how we'll be able to know Muslims on the street when we see them so that we can effectively deprive them of their religious freedom! Maybe some kind of marking, some neutral thing that would make it obvious...how about making Muslims wear a big yellow star on their chest? Anyone know if that's ever been tried before?
Ramsey also noted that he loves the 1st, 2nd, and 10th amendments equally, which must mean he is 100 percent in favor of gay marriage.
Comments
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As I said, they didn;t want this mucking an already losing election!
It is becoming a real problem being a bit left of center and living in East Tennessee. I can't hardly go to the store without wanting to get in a fist fight. Tough place to live when you are in the minority (opinion wise) - I can only imagine what it must be like for real minorities.
"Maybe some kind of marking, some neutral thing that would make it obvious...how about making Muslims wear a big yellow star on their chest? Anyone know if that's ever been tried before?"
Bruce it has been done before - By 1934 in Germany, all Jewish shops were marked with the yellow Star of David or had the word "Juden" written on the window.
As a Liberal, I believe in censoring any idea different than mine, I believe in taking speeches out of context to further my agenda. I believe that the Constitution only applies to me when it benefits me. I believe that if I don't have as much as you it is OK for the government to take some of yours to give to me. I believe if we are all equal then we should all be equally poor (expect for the ruling class)like in China. I believe that if your religion calls for you to kill me for trying to convert you (like in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia) you should be allowed to because the Constitution protects your freedom of religion. I believe that if the laws of your religion conflict with the laws of the state you have the right to set up your own court system in favor of your religion, because the Constitution protects your freedom of religion.
I love America because you can use its own laws to change it into your culturally backward 5th century way of living.
Libatard says: As a Liberal, I believe in censoring any idea different than mine, I believe in taking speeches out of context to further my agenda. I believe that the Constitution only applies to me when it benefits me. I believe that if I don't have as much as you it is OK for the government to take some of yours to give to me... I love America because you can use its own laws to change it into your culturally backward 5th century way of living.
As a conservative, I object to liberals stealing our ideas like this guy did. Plus we only love backward thinking Americans who are afraid of change, so that idea-stealing commie lib up there got that last part wrong.
Charlie, Google the word "irony" sometime.
"Bruce it has been done before - By 1934 in Germany, all Jewish shops were marked with the yellow Star of David or had the word "Juden" written on the window."
Charlie, did you really think Bruce didn't know that?
Examine any book on world religions, and see how many do not list Islam as being one of those.
As for 9/11, wakeup! The official account is false — visit the 9/11 pages at The Wisdom Fund.
Enver Masud
Founder, The Wisdom Fund
"Examine any book on world religions, and see how many do not list Islam as being one of those."
Oh, goodie, another person who validates his argument based on what other people think. Where'd the books get published, Texas?
Libatard says: """As a Liberal, I believe in censoring any idea different than mine, I believe in taking speeches out of context to further my agenda. I believe that the Constitution only applies to me when it benefits me. ...."""
ALL that and the BEST thing is as a liberal progressive, you can deny all of it.
Raw knuckles says: Oh, goodie, another person who validates his argument based on what other people think. Where'd the books get published, Texas?
So Rk, where ARE we supposed to get informed and read?
Jelo - Yes...I think he didn't know that.
Charlie says: Jelo - Yes...I think he didn't know that.
Actually, Charlie, I did know. No worries.
El' Ambre says: So Rk, where ARE we supposed to get informed and read?
Whatever ya want. But just because a bunch of books say something is true doesn't make it so. Majority ain't always right.
Anybody know how I can personally tell Lt. Gov Ramsey that I have already worked 60 hours this week and I don't wear wire rim glasses, that I get up at 4 a.m. and I haven't had a raise in 4 years. Think he can guess my profession? I'm a college prof, something I worked hard to do so I can live in a sub standard house and have no money to fix it, I buy used cars, but that's ok because they work. I can't go on vacation because we can't save much since we had kids and don't get raises. I love my profession but I would never choose to move to Tennessee again if I had it to do over. I kind of shudder when I think of living in close proximity to a man (losely used) like Ramsey. Here's my hope for you - if you have kids or grand kids, I pray that they grow up to be artists or teachers so you'll have to help them out after you ruin the TN educational system.
Deborah
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