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THE QUESTION
Running against Islam?
Former Arkansas governor and 2012 presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee found himself in hot water this week after he called Islam the "antithesis of the gospel of Christ" and said that churches that share worship space with Muslims are caving to a religion "that says that Jesus Christ and all the people that follow him are a bunch of infidels who should be essentially obliterated."
In an analysis of how Islam may shape campaign politics, Politico's Bryon Tau wrote: "As Republican candidates define their national security stands in the 2012 elections, conservative discomfort with Islam in America will be a feature of the debate."
Should Islam be debated on the campaign trail? Are religious issues in danger of being exploited?
UPDATE, 12:05 p.m. February 25: More critique of Islam on the campaign trail.
From Politico's story on Rick Santorum:
"The idea that the Crusades and the fight of Christendom against Islam is somehow an aggression on our part is absolutely anti-historical," Santorum said in Spartanburg [South Carolina] on Tuesday. "And that is what the perception is by the American left who hates Christendom."
Posted by
On Faith on February 22, 2011 9:42 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Attempts at monopolizing God can be hazardous
Whether we like it or not, politicians will exploit all the "tools" available to them on the campaign trail to grab power, including religion. We, as voters, should be more mature to read between the lines.
Posted by Rajan Zed, on February 25, 2011 2:30 PM
Pluralism as a political value
Once you understand that evangelical Christianity currently sets the tone of social and religious debate for important political contests, it doesn't seem hard to assume that the ongoing conspiratorial "discomfort" over Islam will dominate the rhetoric, particularly from the Republican Party.
Posted by Jason Pitzl-Waters, on February 24, 2011 5:29 PM
Fear, fairness and Fox News: Three forces shaping how we think about American Muslims
Americans harbor some real fears about religious extremism and its connection to violence. At the same time, Americans are guided by a fundamental sense of fairness, and they want to look broadly at the problem of religious extremism wherever it exists rather than preemptively singling out the Muslim community.
Posted by Robert P. Jones, on February 24, 2011 3:13 PM
Islam linked to America's most dangerous threat
Radical and political Islam will be debated on the 2012 campaign trail.
Posted by Jordan Sekulow, on February 24, 2011 3:06 PM
Let's debate the Gospel
Before addressing the question of Islam, maybe the former governor would benefit from revisiting the Gospel of Christ and considering what kind of Jesus he believes in. Maybe then the GOP can have a much needed debate about the nature of Christianity.
Posted by Mathew N. Schmalz, on February 24, 2011 2:59 PM
Walking tightrope of religion and politics
Yes, let Islam, Christianity, and any other religion be debated on the campaign trail. After all, campaigns should be about what people care about, and lots of people care about religion.
Posted by Fr. Frank Pavone, on February 23, 2011 8:19 PM
Religion on the campaign trail is about power
To stereotype any faith by one scripture reference or fundamentalist sect is unfair and uninformed.
Posted by Joel Hunter, on February 23, 2011 8:17 PM
Truth-telling is a Christian and civic duty
Candidates shouldn't engage in purely theological debates on the campaign trail, but they should debate public issues, and sometimes those issues touch on religion.
Posted by Melissa Rogers, on February 23, 2011 2:20 PM
Islamophobia and US politics
That a nation supposedly broadminded in every sphere of life, should be so narrow-minded in religious matters is amazing and painful
Posted by Arun Gandhi, on February 23, 2011 8:11 AM
Scare tactics and self-defeatism
Mike Huckabee's recent broadside against Muslims is just the latest in a series of generalizations from the wannabe statesman, who believes that alienating an overwhelmingly peaceful, billion-strong religious community somehow strengthens national security.
Posted by Rajdeep Singh, on February 22, 2011 5:06 PM
Huckabee strikes out with comments on Islam
Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee, would be called 'out' on strikes if his recent comments about Islam were swings at a baseball game.
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on February 22, 2011 5:01 PM
Ignorance is disqualifying
There is no religious test for office and no official testing of religion. And anyone who is a candidate for office that requires an oath to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" ought to know that.
Posted by Jack Moline, on February 22, 2011 3:27 PM
Muslim freedom, American ignorance
Mike Huckabee's recent comments are but one example of a politician who speaks with authority and discloses how little he knows about the diversity within Islam. A new popular definition of Muslims is emerging that counters the long-standing stereotype that demonizes all Muslims as extremists.
Posted by Robert Parham, on February 22, 2011 2:23 PM
Muslim-bashing the GOP's sell?
What we surely don't need on any campaign trail is a discussion of whether Islam is, as former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee claims, "the antithesis of the gospel of Christ."
Posted by Barry Lynn, on February 22, 2011 12:47 PM
Hate your neighbor, but don't forget to say grace
Mike Huckabee's comments reminded me of a line in the last stanza of that song, "Hate your next-door neighbor, but don't forget to say grace."
Posted by Herb Silverman, on February 22, 2011 12:29 PM
Religious exploitation should be called out
Religion -- especially Islam these days -- is in danger of exploitation for political purposes.
Posted by J. Brent Walker, on February 22, 2011 12:14 PM
Political Islam an unfortunate hot potato
In the end, exploitation-leaning and fear-filled politicians will paint a picture that will scare the socks off way too many people, and for what? To make sure certain people hold onto power.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on February 22, 2011 11:45 AM
Christians politicians echoing political Islam
While politicians and media personalities fulminate against "the enemy," we might be better served by visiting a local mosque, a local Mormon congregation, a neighborhood synagogue.
Posted by Max Carter, on February 22, 2011 10:06 AM
Islamism affects American politics
Islam should not be debated on the campaign trail because our Constitution prohibits a "religious test" for office. But Islamism should be debated because Islamism is a "kingdom of this world" political as well as a religious system.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on February 22, 2011 10:06 AM
