Demonizing Islam threatens religious freedom (The First Amendment Center wrote this?!)

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/commentary.aspx?id=17237 ^ | 08.06.06 | Charles C. Haynes

[Tzimisce]

When Christian activists burned a Quran in Mississippi last month, you could almost hear Osama bin Laden cheering them on.

For years al-Qaida has spewed propaganda to convince Muslims that America’s “war on terrorism” is a thinly disguised “war on Islam.” Now Christian Right groups are helping to make al-Qaida’s case.

The Mississippi burning of Islam’s holy book was part of an anti-abortion rally held by Operation Save America. According to their leader, the Rev. Flip Benham, this wasn’t the first Quran-burning — and won’t be the last.

Islam opposes abortion, but that makes no difference to Christian groups bent on saving America from a list of evils “detestable to the Lord.” Along with Supreme Court decisions and the rainbow flag (other things tossed into the fire), the Quran represents what they describe as “an insidious lie perpetrated by Satan himself.”

Attacks on Islam from the Christian Right began soon after 9/11 when the Rev. Franklin Graham labeled Islam a “very evil and wicked religion.” Soon other evangelical leaders weighed in, using the “war on terrorism” as an opportunity to reignite historic Christian-Muslim tensions. Jerry Falwell described Muhammad as a “terrorist” — remarks that helped spark deadly riots in India. Pat Robertson called Islam “a monumental scam.”

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[Tzimisce]

The First Amendment Center fights for my right to burn an American flag, but I can't burn a Quran?

THE FIRST AMENDMENT CENTER. Doesn't the First Amendment also say things about freedom of speech and press? And yet this guy suggests that some careful editing needs to be done in the media and Americans need to be "re-educated". In other words, you have a right to free expression and beliefs as long as it agrees with him.

So what if a bunch of right Wing Christians burn a Quran? They have the right to do that. True it make harden the resolve of our enemy, but so do films like "Syriana" that show Americans monkeying with middle eastern oil policy. So do lines of war protesters. You can barely tell the difference between one of Cindy Sheehan's speeches and one of Osama bin Ladin's. But we don't have a problem with any of these things (cause we agree with what they say.)

Freedom of Religion doesn't mean Freedom from Criticism. Exercising Freedom of Religion doesn't close off the other freedoms of the Constitution either. I'm stunned that this guy would even write this.

Footnote: Islam is *not* a religion of peace. Mohammed was a conqueror who brutally slaughtered everyone who got in his way. He was also a pedophile, taking a SIX YEAR OLD wife when he entered Mecca (the rest of her family was beheaded).

[Aetius]

You can't speak ill of, or do anything to offend the Religion of Peace, because if you do, then things might get violent.

[RasterMaster]

Islam is not a religion....it's a DEATH CULT!

[Gay State Conservative]

Exactly who is it that's demonizing "islam"?

[ClearCase_guy]

Hezbollah means "Army of God".
They are waging a jihad, which means "Holy War".

That's OK. It's OK, because they are hoping to destroy western civilization, which is a noble goal.

If we were to defend ourselves, in any way, it would be tantamount to launching a crusade, which would be about the vilest, most evil thing that anyone could do, and would rightly bring down on us the wrath of all tolerant people in the world.

Or something like that.

[Jeff Head]

A so-called religion that espouses abuse of women, death to anyone who decides to leave the religion, death or slavery or 2nd class status to anyone who does not join the religion, and then advocates that death and set of circumstances through ouit and out warfare themselves, and the brutal beheading and killing of innocents, and that it be done by their own children...is not a religion at all as envisioned or understood by the founders.

Therefore, such a religion, such an ideology, such a tyranny, not only does not apply to the 1st amendment, it CANNOT apply.

Common Sense 101.

[Congressman Billybob]

The First Amendment Center is, IIRC, a foundation set up by Al Neuharth (sp?), the founder of USA Today. Though they have a nice sounding name, and are based at Vanderbilt University, their Board of Directors was dominated by Neuharth toadies, last time I saw it. (Couldn't find the Board listed on my visit to www.fac.org, just now.)

An indication of the politics of this organization is that they gave their first First Amendment Award to Elian Gonzalez, in Cuba, after he had been kidnapped back to Cuba from the US. Yes, you read that right. This is a truly slimey outfit.

P.S. Interested in a Freeper in Congress? Keep in touch with me.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "Stupidity about WW III: 'Here's your Sign' "

Please see a new statement on running for Congress, here.

[PeteB570]

How about "The Demon Islam threatens freedom of religion and freedom of speech?"