Posted on 05/03/2005 2:33:03 PM PDT by 26lemoncharlie
Islamic leaders demand apology for 'hate-filled remarks'
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
Evangelist Pat Robertson is in trouble with U.S. Islamic organizations for saying Muslims should not serve in the president's Cabinet or as judges.
Pat Robertson
In an appearance on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" Sunday, Robertson, who ran for president in 1988, said if were elected he would not appoint Muslims to his Cabinet and that he was not in favor of Muslims serving as judges.
"They have said in the Quran there's a war against all the infidels," Robertson said. "Do you want somebody like that sitting as a judge? I wouldn't."
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations yesterday called on "mainstream political and religious leaders" to repudiate the "hate-filled remarks."
"This type of hate-filled rhetoric deserves repudiation from all who respect America's long-standing tradition of pluralism," said Rabiah Ahmed, CAIR's communication coordinator.
Ahmed said many Muslims already serve with distinction in many levels of government, including judgeships at the state and local level.
Arsalan Iftikhar, CAIR's national legal director, said Robertson "has taken his far-right-wing rhetoric to absurd levels."
"He is trying to perpetuate this notion that Islam is a monolithic entity inherently at odds with modernity and democracy," Iftikhar said. "That is absolutely false. ... American Muslims have long been contributing members of American society.
Iftikhar added: "And I guarantee to Mr. Robertson that Muslims will one day become part of the federal bench -- whether or not he likes it."
Muslims were particularly outraged by a 2002 appearance on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" program in which Robertson said about Islam's prophet, Muhammad: "This man was an absolute wild-eyed fanatic. He was a robber and a brigand. And to say that these terrorists distort Islam, they're carrying out Islam. ... I mean, this man (Muhammad) was a killer. And to think that this is a peaceful religion is fraudulent."
Robertson also called Islam "a monumental scam" and claimed the Quran "is strictly a theft of Jewish theology."
"as compatible with freedom or democracy"
If Islam is so incompatible with democracy then how do you explain the success of democratic reforms in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Can't be done: the Constitution forbids religious tests for public office. As President, Roberts would be immediately forsworn of his oath of office.
It takes a person of deep love and respect of Judeo-Christian values to be an effective Judge, especially one who can weave their way through the minefield of US constitutional law.
Sorry, but I would not trust anyone with a love of Koran and/or Muslim law to be a US Judge.
One who's run out of ammunition.
Too late Pat . . .
http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=309&theType=NR
First Muslim Judge joins Maryland District Court
(Washington, DC, 7/31/2000)
In what may be a first for Maryland's Islamic community, a Muslim has been sworn in as a judge of the District Court in that state. (There are only a handful of Muslim judges nationwide.)
"God is merciful, and I pledge to show mercy from the bench - both for the accused and for those who have been wronged," said Judge Hassan Ali El-Amin.
Imam Yusuf Saleem of Masjid Muhammad in Washington, D.C., gave the invocation at the swearing-in ceremony. A number of judges and court officials at the event praised El-Amin for his integrity and work ethic. Imam W. Deen Muhammed also attended the event.
El-Amin was appointed by Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening. Prior to his appointment, El-Amin worked as a defense attorney in Prince George's County, Maryland and in the District of Columbia. He completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University and received a law degree from the University of Maryland.
"Judge El-Amin's appointment shows that Muslims are entering and having a positive impact on every level of American society," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group. A CAIR representative also attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Seriously, Why do so many of you keep calling Islam a religion?
Probably for the same reasons we call Catholicism a religion, and Protestantism a religion, and Mormonism a religion.
Just because you disagree with something, or even think that it is evil, doesn't mean you can exclude it from the conceptual category it belongs in.
Robertson...a voice of reason.
I agree that yranny under any banner is frought with peril. My simple question is will you follow the constitution or will you try to manipulate it into something unrecognizable.
Sorry, I'm not following your question. My point is that the Constitution explicity forbids a "religious test". And I am definitely in favor of following the Constitution, not trying to manipulate it into something unrecognizable.
In response to your original post, I have no problem with Muslims trying to convert other people to their faith, so long as the process remains voluntary. Lots of religions proselytize. Lots of religions would like everyone on earth to join them. So what? The only time a problem arises is when they resort to compulsion. This country has a long tradition (backed by its Constitution) of freedom and religious tolerance. And we have a 2nd Amendment to deal with any who would violate our liberties by imposing their religious views on us.
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