New Jersey's Republican Governor, Chris Christie, has come forward with a powerful and, like usual, robust defense of a recent appointment of a Muslim judge, Sohail Mohammed. When questioned whether his appointment could lead to sharia law in New Jersey courts, Christie went on the attack, declaring that "Ignorance is behind the criticism of Sohail Mohammed.... Sharia Law has nothing to do with this at all, it’s crazy!" He went on to exclaim that he is "tired of dealing with the crazies." (See video clip at 2:47.)
Once again Chris Christie manages to impress with his demeanor and no-BS style. His honesty, candor, and ability to avoid the mudslinging of politics, is laudable - characteristics that other politicians should try to emulate.
But, not only is Christie's response commendable, his argument is dead-on. Far too many Americans are too willing to denigrate good Muslim-Americans just because of their religious beliefs. Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is one of the most recent examples. This sort of religious stigmatization is completely un-American. As a nation, we are supposed to be committed to freedom of religion and acknowledge that an individual's private beliefs do not automatically disqualify him from holding public office. But even worse, such rampant vitriol against Muslims distracts from real threats and creates false "lines-in-the-sand". Radical Islamists threaten this country, not all Muslims. America should be wise to make allies with good Muslim-Americans, not engage in counterproductive fear-mongering and stereotyping.
Herman Cain has apologized for his anti-Muslim comments. The GOP presidential candidate had previously claimed that communities had the right to prohibit Muslims from worshiping within the community. As was argued last week here at ANR, Cain's commentary and understanding of the constitution was not only wrong but "unfortunately damaging to legitimate Republican candidates who have been unfairly linked to this Islamophobic mentality".
Fortunately, Cain has seemingly received the message after meeting with a Virginia-based Muslim group. Cain released a statement saying:
While I stand by my opposition to the interference of shariah law into the American legal system, I remain humble and contrite for any statements I have made that might have caused offense to Muslim Americans and their friends.... I am truly sorry for any comments that may have betrayed my commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the freedom of religion guaranteed by it. Muslims, like all Americans, have the right to practice their faith freely and peacefully.
Thankfully, his Muslim counterparts believe that his change of heart is sincere. Leaders from the Muslim group say that Cain was able to clear up some of the misinformation that had been fed to him, enabling Cain to draw fruitful parallels between the plight of Muslim-Americans today and that of African-Americans during Cain's childhood. This was a linkage Cain had refused to making in his original discussion with Fox New's Chris Wallace.
It is laudable that he realized the errors in his thinking and comments - hopefully it will stick. America is far too torn by divisiveness for this type of behavior to continue. Furthermore, Republicans have far too much to accomplish in reforming this country to be distracted by demagoguery that is not only hurtful but far removed from the realm of serious issues.
Herman Cain should be ashamed. In a weekend interview with Fox's Chris Wallace, the Republican presidential candidate argued that communities have a right to ban the construction of mosques. Cain argued that
[o]ur Constitution guarantees separation of church and state. Islam combines church and state. They're using the church part of our First Amendment to infuse their morals in that community, and the people of that community do not like it. They disagree with it.
Cain's interpretation of the First Amendment is undeniably erroneous. The separation of church and state is meant to both protect religious institutions from undue influence from the government and protect individuals from undue influence from a state religion. It was never meant to be used as a weapon by communities to persecute or restrict those of another faith.
Even if one assumes that Cain's understanding of Islam is correct - namely that as a religion it is unable to separate its religious doctrines from its conceptualization of the rule of law - his remedy is far from appropriate. Religions or other groups that profess ideologies that run counter to precepts in the constitution are not to be repressed due to their beliefs. Every Muslim may want to turn the United States into an Islamic state (most assuredly do not), yet that would not warrant preventing them from practicing or even preaching their ideas.
Instead, it is the responsibility of the state to disallow violations of the constitution. The courts, for instance, should strike down laws and regulations that violate the precept of separation of church and state, whether such laws are based in sharia, Christian or Jewish law. If such checks function properly (and they largely do), from the perspective of the First Amendment there should be little reason to interfere with the religious practices of any group in America.
Protection of minority religions is precisely why the concept of separation of church and state is necessary. Muslim-Americans should be protected by it not persecuted under it. Whatever their beliefs may be, as long as they stay within the community and are not being forced upon others they should have the right to worship as they see fit. Only when such forms of worship cross the line and lead to religiously-based law should the state step-in to prevent such behavior. A mosque in Tennessee is absolutely acceptable; a law requiring the donning of burqas is not.
Cain's understanding of the constitution and his comments are an embarrassment to all Republicans. Not that this long-shot candidate was every taken seriously, but his perspective is unfortunately damaging to legitimate Republican candidates who have been unfairly linked to this Islamophobic mentality. Republicans need to disavow such candidates and rhetoric if they hope to be taken seriously amongst the pivotal independent voters.
