Freeform Forum: I agree with Christie on this

I tweeted this news story today: Chris Christie slams fearmongering over Sharia law. (IrishWombat: gives kudos to Gov. Christie for supporting a Muslim judge: http://owl.li/5W4Dz. Wish others in #Republican party would believe similarly.) In essence, Gov. Christie lambasts conservative critics about his nominee for New Jersey’s Superior Court.  Sohail Mohammed, Christie’s appointee, is an American attorney who offered legal aid to New Jersey residents who were suspected after the September 11th attacks.  These suspects were found innocent of any crimes.

The opponents of the nomination have issued factless warnings that the judge would base his rulings on Islamic law. This is false supposition got Gov. Christie furious.  He calls out the opponents as “crazy” for their misleading statements.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

According to the article, there are many several Republicans and GOP president candidates that stir up fear that Muslims will force Americans to live under Sharia law, including:

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum recently called it "an existential threat" to the United States; former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty shut down a program in his state that would allow practicing Muslims to pay for mortgages without violating their religious teachings against borrowing with interest; businessman Herman Cain said he would require Muslims to take an extra loyalty oath to serve in his administration; and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called for a federal law to ban Sharia from U.S. courts.

First, let me commend Christie on his support of Sohail Mohammed.  I believe that Mohammed was nominated for his competencies and his record which was probably tested and honed during his work with innocent NJ residents suspected of terrorist activities after the worst attack on American soil in history.  In addition, it looks to me that Christie knows his Constitution which states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Additionally, he must has faith in Mohammed to know and follow the Constitution when he’s serving as Judge.

The first four verses of al-‘Alaq (The Clot), the 96th chapter (surah) of the Qur'an.*

So why aren’t those above-named Republicans aware of this phrase from the Bill of Rights? There are so many different arguments against these folks, but two stick out strongly. Rick Santorum, a Roman Catholic, aggressively pushes his religious based beliefs into his policies, and Newt Gingrich’s federal law to ban Sharia is unconstitutional since that would be both be prohibiting the free exercise of religion and establishing every other religion above Islam.  Obviously, to the Republicans above, we should have a separation of church and state, except for those good solid Christian family values which should be law of the land.

The United States has been the greatest nation on Earth because it has grown to appreciate diversity. We didn’t start out that way, remember when non-whites were three fifths of a person? Yet we learn from our inadequacies and realize that the differences flesh out our shortcomings to make our strengths.  There has been so much fear and oppression dumped on our newest immigrants who don’t look like the status quo.  Yet, they are our future; they can provide American with the willing workers and the brain power to continue our trail blazing role in the world.  However, remember the Irish and NINA? The Irish are white, pasty white even, and Irish immigrants were treated like second class citizens during 19th century.  Bigotry and bias might actually be colorblind, but cruelty and fear can be forever.  The US has a history of this arrogant ignorance, and we need to overcome it.

Personally, there are some aspects of Sharia law with which I don’t agree and would not want to be ruled under it.  My beliefs are still dictated by my religious upbringing, but I don’t feel that my religious upbringing gives me a moral superiority over anyone else. I need to follow the letter of the law, and if I disagree there are channels for my voice including “petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (Oh, there’s that pesky First Amendment again.)

The Gutenberg Bible

However, let’s go on a limb and go down the route of Christianity being the moral compass. I quote from the Bible, featuring Jesus:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version)

So the source of Christianity’s beliefs, Jesus, says that, equally, one of the two greatest laws is to “love your neighbor” (black, Jew, gentile, Muslim, gay, single mother, mixed-raced, deaf, straight, transgendered, white, Asian, etc.) “as yourself” and not bullying the Dickens out of anyone for being different.  Digging a little deeper, the source of Jesus’ quote is Leviticus 19:18, which states “‘do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” I don’t think Jesus would stand for anyone of us excluding anybody from the phrase “anyone among your people.” He means everyone when He quotes Leviticus.

Hm, I just used the Bible to support the nomination of the Muslim judge.  I’m glad Christie stuck his neck out on this one.

Images courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

* translation of the verses: 
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
96:1 Read in the name of your Lord , Who created-
96:2 Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
96:3 Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
96:4 He Who taught (the use of) the pen.