Letters to the Editor

Blowback from the GOP's holy war The 2008 Republican race has left a bitter legacy of sloganeering against Muslims. It may well haunt the party this November. By Juan Cole [2008-02-01]

• Republican Bigots?

  "It would be perfectly all right to talk about Muslim terrorists, but calling them Islamic terrorists or Islamic fascists implies that the religion of Islam is somehow essentially connected to those extremist movements." - Juan Cole

  The niceties are not lost on me, but you are slicing those hairs mighty fine. Let's compare bigotries:

  Qur'an, 005.051 -

  O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.

  http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/

  http://etext.virginia.edu/koran.html

  http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/koran/

  Bible:

  Matthew, 22:39 - And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  Leviticus 19:18 -

  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

  Leviticus - 19:34

  But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

  http://www.topical-bible-studies.org/24-0003.htm

  "Muslims perceive a double standard in this regard: Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols would never be called "Christian terrorists" even though they were in close contact with the Christian Identity Movement." - Juan Cole

  Generally speaking, Muslims are expected to identify themselves first and foremost with Islam, ahead of nationality. That they have not assimilated to the same degree as others, as in the UK, and have contributed their share of terrorists, does indeed make them Islamist Terrorists in ways that they are not simply 'Muslim criminals'.

  Re: Islam and the West: A Conversation with Bernard Lewis (April 27, 2006 Pew Forum

  "On another occasion, asked whether a Muslim candidate for president would be acceptable, McCain replied, "I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian PRINCIPLES[emphasis added] ... personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith. But that doesn't mean that I'm sure that someone who is Muslim would not make a good president. I don't say that we would rule out under any circumstances someone of a different faith. I just would -- I just feel that that's an important part of our qualifications to lead."

  I would say, Judeo-Christian, but why quibble? Old and New Testaments.

  The following Qur'anic PRINCIPLES help form the basis of law in Muslim/Islamic Countries;

  Qur'an:

  "9.29": Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.

  "9.30": And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!

  "9.31": They have taken their doctors of law and their monks for lords besides Allah, and (also) the Messiah son of Marium and they were enjoined that they should serve one God only, there is no god but He; far from His glory be what they set up (with Him).

  "9.32": They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah will not consent save to perfect His light, though the unbelievers are averse.

  We have learned from these passages:

  * "Fight", until Jews and Christians are "in a state of subjection", and "pay the tax in acknowledgement of [Muslim] superiority".

  * From the Islamic perspective, Jews and Christians are not simply another religion, they are wrong, "may Allah destroy them".

  * All other religions, and the irreligious, are less well regarded.

  Tell me which belief system is more in keeping with traditional American values, political or otherwise: (?) Judeo-Christian; (?) Islamic ?

  If Barak Obama takes the nomination, it will not be because he is a 'Black-American', likewise McCain being a 'Christian-American. It will be because they are simply 'American'; representative of, and believed capable of representing the mainstream.

  -- elfraed
  [Read elfraed's other letters]
  Permalink Flag Thursday, January 31, 2008 09:12 PM
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel