PROTECTING OUR WAY OF LIFE

I recently sent out an e-mail with some interesting thoughts expressed by Nonie Darwish, an Egyptian woman who was a Muslim. She came from a very influential family spending a great deal of time in the Garza Strip. Many of my friends and blog followers questioned why I would send out such an e-mail when I have very progressive views regarding religious tolerance and racial tolerance. My views on gay marriage have evolved as did the president’s, my acceptance of all religions is widely known – so why send out such an inflammatory e-mail.

Because it has merit. I am not sure I could vouch for any person practicing Islam or which version of Islam they are observing and practicing. That is what causes me concern. Two brothers in Boston went about killing four people. These young men became radicalized while living the American life – going to school, becoming a sportsman, marrying and having children. The eldest even converted his American born wife to convert to the more restrictive observance of Islam. That I have a hard time understanding. Living in the US they can see for themselves that you live according to your moral standards and observe the culture you are in. Yet, an educated and intelligent woman threw that away for a way of life that discourages any questioning of the religion, their husband and the Imams. In fact, that is punishable by death in Middle Eastern countries. Coming to America or being born in America is no guarantee of assimilation or cultural inclusion as many Islamics may see it. We have no idea what baggage they bring.

Had the Boston bombings not happened and we not learned about Mr. Tseanarev, I would have dismissed the Darwish alarm as over the top.

I am not sure how we can stop the growth of Muslim influence. Yes, we have heard the preaching of the peaceful prose of the Koran, yet the bombings still happen. I am not sure that Islam as a culture is a peaceful culture. Regarding their outlook on life, Golda Meier said that peace will come only when Muslim mothers will love their children more than their religion. When it comes to love only Islam wins.

We should not go out and discriminate against those practicing Islam. The Jewish population experienced that in the middle of the last century and for centuries before that. The difference is that the Jews did not want to convert the cultures they are in to their religion. Jews just wanted to live with peaceful coexistence. During the Civil Rights era the black population was not trying to create a separate culture but to assimilate into the existing culture because the culture of the US was supposed to be inclusive and free – and it is – for now.

I am at a crossroads of what I believe. Do I want the population of the US to discriminate against Islamic practitioners – no. Do I want to be aware of their political intentions, even the ones we cannot readily see – yes. But what do we do about it?

Darwish claims that the United States is banning religion from public life. I think she is wrong. We have no state organized religion and I do believe that this concept of separation of church and state will carry over to separation of Mosque and state.  But we must be vigilant in making sure that even with their overwhelming ability to vote Islamics into office in twenty years, we need to be aware of the policies and visions that candidates espouse. Educating our populace will create a firewall from this.

Making the United States a Christian nation won’t do it. Making the United States a Jewish nation won’t do it. Why because by not having a specific religion as the master religion or state sponsored religion, there is no religion to replace with jihad or any other effort by any specific group.

Personally I find the treatment of woman by Islam appalling. Having two daughters and four granddaughters I would never want to see them subject to such inhuman behavior.  In March of last year I wrote that Women Must Revolt - With a Vote. We don’t want and would never entertain Shariah law. However, some of our (male) lawmakers are creating laws about woman for women. It is a version of Shariah law only encased in the religious right’s context. That, too must be watched with vigilance.

I do not propose anything that would infringe of the rights of our citizens to practice any religion they want or practice no religion at all. What I do propose that we keep an eye on what is happening. That is why I sent the e-mail.

That is my take – you decide.
But before you do - check this out!
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