Can a Muslim be a 'Good American'

I received an email forward recently titled "Can Muslims be Good Americans?" It was quite interesting to me and prompted a response from me to the sender that I thought would be of interest to readers. I believe that the claim about Barack Hussein Obama, as he is called by his full name, being a Muslim and asking to be sworn in on the Quran if he wins the election is a fabrication created by a far right 'bomb thrower' for the purpose of driving large numbers Christians into a frenzy of opposition to him. It saddens me that in the 21st century, religion is still the driving force to action or reaction for so many among us. I am not surprised about 'bomb throwing' in politics as I understand that this is a nasty, muddy sport, but I am still saddened by the kinds of ideas that seem to work best in motivating large segments of our population to action.

First is the email in its entirety, and then it is followed by my response to the sender.

Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out
about any atrocities.....Can a good Muslim be a good American?

This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20
years.The following is his reply:

Theologically - no. . . . Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon God
of Arabia ..

Religiously - no. . . . Because no other religion is accepted by His
Allah except Islam (Quran, 2:256) (Koran)

Scripturally - no. . . Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of
Islam and the Quran.

Geographically - no . . . Because his allegiance is to Mecca , to which he
turns in prayer five times a day.

Socially - no. . . Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him To
makefriends with Christians or Jew s.

Politically - no. . . Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual
leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America , the
great Satan. Domestically - no. . . Because he is instructed to marry four Women
and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4:34 )

Intellectually - no. . Because he cannot accept the American Constitution
since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be
corrupt.

Philosophically - no. . . . Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran donot
allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Isla m cannot co-exist.
Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.

Spiritually - no. . . . Because when we declare "one nation under God," the
Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly
father, nor is he ever called love in The Quran's 99 excellent names.
Therefore after much study and deliberation.... Perhaps we should be very
suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both
"good" Muslims and good Americans.

* * * Call it what you wish..it's still the truth. * * * You had
better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our
country and our future. The religious war is bigger than we know or understand.
. . And Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim, wants to be our President? You have GOT
to be kidding! Wake up America ! Obama even says if he wins the election,
he will be sworn in on the Quran---not a Bible!

My response:

This is very interesting, but I have just a few questions about it. Please help me to understand some of these claims.

I would be interested to see the source which claims that Obama has said that he will be sworn in on the Quran. By all accounts that I know of his religious views he is a Christian and claims to be a Christian.


"Intellectually - no. . Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt."

Mike Huckabee has said in a speech in Michigan last week that he wants to change the Constitution to be more in line with God's standards. Actually he said this, "But I believe it’s a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God. And that’s what we need to do, to amend the Constitution so it’s in God’s standards." Is the Constitution really based on biblical principles? By his own statement above it does not appear that Huckabee believes so. Is it possible for Huckabee to be considered a "good American" since he can not seem to accept or reconcile the Constitution as it is written with his interpretation of the Bible?


"Philosophically - no. . . . Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran donot allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic."

I have been arguing this point since the start of the Iraq war to my Republican friends, but to no avail. If one can accept this point then one can understand that our government is needlessly and carelessly wasting billions of dollars and precious lives in Iraq. Remember the name of the original mission: "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Warm regards,

Brewrunner

A New Hope

I had long believed that we were between the apathy and complacency stages of our Republic. I had about given up hope that most of my fellow Americans had the courage to be vigilant to defend our Constitution and our liberties. Jefferson told us that we must hold our government officials back by the chains of the Constitution. Most Americans seem to care more about the winner of American Idol than the winner of the presidency of the U.S., much less what he is doing at the current moment to our Constitution.

I now have a new hope for my generation though. I have seen thousands across the country standing up in defense of our Constitutional rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Ron Paul seems to be bringing that trait out in record numbers among my generation. He said last night on Jay Leno, that he may have flaws as a person, but the message does not. It is the message of liberty that has been revived. Yes. I have a new hope.

Post–Constitutional America

Vache Folle at St. George Blog recently commented on my previouse post about the people who do not see the state for what it is. He stated that, "To problematize the state is to call into question their basic assumptions about social reality. They have to be reprogrammed." I think by using the word reprogrammed, he meant what Harry Browne used to mean by saying that people need to un-learn certain things about history in order to have a clear view of the current state of things.

That being said, Joe Sobran has written a piece titled How Tyranny Came to America that I think does a fine job of explaining how we got from a society with a relatively small and insignicant central government to one of massive size and scope. While I'm sure most of the readers of this blog have already un-learned most of their American history, this article makes for a good refresher course in constitutional chaos.



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