;)
Saturday
Dec232006
Muslim Congressman Responds
Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 3:37AM 
In response to the personal attacks Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va) made against Keith Ellison Rep.-elect (D-MN) simply because he is a Muslim, the first Muslim elected to the House, Keith Ellison took the high road in an interview with Wolf Blitzer of CNN. He suggested that Rep. Goode might want to take time to acquaint himself with some of the 5 million American Muslims:
"That they’re here to support and strengthen America, that they are nurses, doctors, husbands, wives, kids who just want to live and prosper in the American way, and that there’s really nothing to fear, and that all of us are steadfastly opposed to the same people he’s opposed to, which is the terrorists. And so there’s nothing for him to be afraid of, and that what we should do is to tell our constituents that we should reach to each other, not be against each other, and we should find ways for common ground."
Below is a video clip of the interview:
[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQPrH3dH4lQ"]
This entire controversy surrounding Keith Ellison was started by Dennis Prager, a columnist and conservative talk radio host, who made the following comment:
"Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress."
He has been criticised by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wants him removed from the Holocaust Council because he displayed an intolerance toward Islam that makes him an inappropriate person to serve on the memorial council.
Personally I think that some people in influential positions forget that little phrase "Freedom of Religion". Everyone has the right to practice their own religion in their own way. It is one of the Cornerstones of the Constitution. Why is it that some people think that Islam is a threat to the American Way of Life? Why did it take so long to get a Muslim elected to Congress anyway? There seems to be an ingrained distrust in some people regarding Muslims that make them think: "Terrorist" whenever they hear the word: "Muslim". When is bigotry and intolerance going to end in this country?
Reader Comments (5)
Way to go Keith! I'm an ex-Muslim (convert to Atheism), but I love how he's riled up the Bible thumpers. I think that many Americans believe in the Freedom of Religion: Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, etc. You can pick any religion, as long as it's one of the Bible. I hope people wake up and realize that this country was founded by people that were sick of religion. I find it even harder to believe that Thomas Jefferson lived in Virginia! Jefferson hated organized religion. He thought it was root of state sponsored hatred. He even rewrote the Bible, attempting to eliminate portions that were simply unbelievable. Go to Amazon and search for "Jefferson Bible".
Sajji, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I find that some people misuse religion to suit their own private agenda. It would be interesting if there was no organized religion, just people who believe in the Bible, Koran or whatever "Book" guides your faith.
muslims blew up the wtc,bombed railways in engl,bombed bali,assinated bobby kennedy cut off peoples heads,destroyed all the buddas in afghanistan murdured thousands of serbs,want all jews dead don't you read the newspapers? You're faith has to get rid of religious intolerance before it will be accepted anywhere
Hmm. Perhaps you didn't read the part where I state that I've converted to Atheism? ;)
I agree with you that Muslims have done all these things. That's one reason I'm an Atheist. But let's not forget the atrocities of the Christians as well. Iraq war was started by the Evangelical Christian against a non existent threat. Look at the many Crusades. The Spanish Inquisition. The Salem Witch trials. Look at the Holocaust. Nobody gets a free ride. Nobody's religion is free from atrocities. You call Muslims intolerant? After all, we had state sponsored and church condoned slavery in the U.S. not too long ago. Blacks and women weren't even allowed to vote until the last century. In fact, one of the biggest reasons I'm an Atheist is because neither the Bible (Old or New Testament) nor the Quran denounce slavery.
I don't like any religion because of what it does to people. Jews and Palestinians are no exempt from review. Suicide bombings by Palestinians are not OK. Israeli Apartheid in the Palestinian territories is not OK. Kidnapping Israeli soldiers is not OK. Holding hundreds of "kids" in Israeli prisons without charge is also not OK. This is a vicious cycle that is propped up by religion.
I review all religions critically.
Sajji, You have to be careful not to confuse the "religion" with the "people" who (mal)practice it. All the books mentioned the Bible, the Koran etc are "good" books. But if people hijack a religion or do bad things in the name of religion, this does not mean that the religion is bad. Even an Atheist has beliefs and convictions....right?