I’m going to set my agnosticism and rationality on the shelf for a moment and assume the mantle of a Christian Tea Party Republican. I will assume that my problem with President Obama is that he is a Muslim in the White House, that he needs to stop bowing to Allah, and needs to put down the Koran. For these reasons, I must assume that a Muslim in the White House is a bad thing.
If I’m a good Christian, I would be at least somewhat knowledgeable about the history of my own religion. I would likely have to be aware of the Abrahamic tradition of my religion. That is, the Old Testament is just as important to my religion as the New Testament. If ever I had a reason to defend Israel, for example, I would have to go back to the Old Testament. If ever I am to denigrate Islam, I would have to go back to the start of their religion and its primary text, the Koran. I will defend Israel because Christians and Jews are people of the same tradition, and can trace their religious heritage through the son of Abraham, Isaac. I will not defend Islam because many Arabs trace their religious heritage through Ishmael. … The son of Abraham.
Let’s take the pieces one by one:
- President Obama is a Muslim. That is bad.
- President Obama bows to Allah. That is bad.
- President Obama carries the Koran around with him. That is bad.
First, I believe that the U.S. Constitution forbids the practice of Islam in its office holders. U.S. Constitution forbids a religious test for office. Well, I believe that the American people forbid the practice of Islam in its office holders. The are currently members of congress who are practicing Muslims. Well, I believe that Americans should forbid the practice of Islam in its office holders. Ah, well, that belief at least is contestable. Flag it. It could be bad.
Second, I believe that the Pledge of Allegiance does not mention one nation “under Allah,” but “under God.” This is a Christian nation. God and Allah are the same entity, notwithstanding doctrinal differences about said entity’s nature or relationship with humankind. I believe Obama still shouldn’t bow to him. How different is worship from submission in a religious context, especially to the same entity? OK, this one is not contestable, unless I don’t mind being a hypocrite. I don’t mind it. I’ll call it bad.
Third, I believe the Koran is not just a book. It is an instrument of war. See how abusing it sets off riots? Are those like crusades? Terrorists are Muslim. Are those like crusaders? The Koran calls for cutting off the heads of infidels. They think WE are the infidels. If rightly guided, Christians or Jews are not infidels but People of the Book. Hey, you’re kinda starting to sound a little bit like a Muslim yourself. That’s bad.
Nope. I just don’t believe in things that are provably false. I’ll argue about the rest, though.
Dac Nelson 