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Religious exploitation should be called out
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?
Article VI of the U.S. Constitution bans any religious test for public office. Just as importantly, the spirit of that provision dictates that religion, Islam or otherwise, should not be interjected into the campaign unless a candidate's religious beliefs bear directly on one's policy positions or fitness to lead as a public official.
But where candidates or pundits interject exaggerated, caricatured and even false statements about Islam -- or any religion -- then, yes, it must be met by a swift public correction. Lies suggesting President Obama is a really a Muslim, or all of Islam is dedicated to "obliterating" Christians, or that more than the lunatic fringe of Islam applaud the events of September 11, must be answered. And not just by right-thinking Muslims, but by Christians too.
Yes, religion -- especially Islam these days -- is in danger of exploitation for political purposes. Religion is often used and abused for political gain. It is important that such pandering be called out. Should violent, extreme forms of Islam be fought as an enemy? Absolutely! But that's a far cry from irenic Islam that informs millions of patriotic American citizens, including two members of the United States Congress: Keith Ellison, D-Minn. and Andre Carson, D-Ind.
In any event, a failure to engage in careful, nuanced thinking and speaking in the public square and campaign trail about Islam -- or any religion -- is, prima facie, an abuse of religion.
By
J. Brent Walker
|
February 22, 2011; 12:14 PM ET
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Posted by: amelia45 | February 24, 2011 10:45 AM
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Mr Walker makes some very important observations, not the least of which is that religions have been abused in the remote and recent past, by certain ignoble individuals to gain political power. This brings to mind recent demagogues such as Milosevic, Modi, and Avigdor Lieberman who knew how to harness the hate of the neighbor to consolidate their power. This is, in fact the antithesis of the foundation of United States. Welcome to the club, Huckabee
Posted by: Kingofkings1 | February 24, 2011 1:31 AM
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"Yes, religion -- especially Islam these days -- is in danger of exploitation for political purposes."
Well said. Especially if we are considering this a problem of extremist Muslims who are using their faith to gain political power and if we are considering this a problem of extremist Christians in the United States who are arousing and using the fear of Islam as a crutch to gain political power.
Far right religious extremism is a danger to liberty, equality, and freedom here just as it has been an impediment in Islamic countries.