NYC Mosque vs. Thomas Jefferson
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Everybody agrees that our Freedom of Religion gives Muslims the right to build the NYC mosque. Everybody, that is, except Thomas Jefferson. This founding father knew that the time would come when someone would try to subvert and misuse our freedoms and here is his response to that:
A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high virtues of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger are of higher obligation.
This quote by Thomas Jefferson was used at the very end of a book by an Egyptian woman who immigrated to the US and converted to Christianity when she was 30. Until then she had been a Muslim in an Arab country, following the Sharia laws and living a life of fear and subjugation. The book, Cruel and Usual Punishment by Nonie Darwish is a fascinating insider’s look at the Islam religion, Sharia laws and how they came into being. But it was the author’s last chapter regarding America which I found to be both compelling and chilling.
You can almost hear the desperation in Ms. Darwish’s voice as she tries to convince the reader that Islam is not a religion of peace. For example, she states that there are 35,213 references in 
the Koran, Sharia laws and various Muslim scriptures basically advocating killing non-believers. Yes, the Old Testament is also rather bloodthirsty in places however the whole premise to Christianity is Jesus’ messages in the New Testament. He repudiated the Old Testament and taught that in the face of violence we should turn the other cheek and He gave us the Golden Rule. Islam, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. In the early parts of the Koran Mohammed was respectful of the “People of the Book” meaning Jews and Christians. As both Muslims and Jews were desert tribal people back then there was a natural affinity that is until Jewish tribes declined Mohammad’s “request” that they convert and join his tribe. Their refusal triggered a hatred of all Jews continuing to this day. From that point forward the Koran gets bloodier and bloodier in its suggested treatment of all infidels and apostates.
For Islam, this hatred of Jews has remained unchanged in the past 1400+ years. One example in Darwish’s book is that in 2005 the British House of Commons passed a bill aimed at curbing religious hatred. A delegation of prominent Muslims applied to have Islam exempt from the bill since followers of Mohammed must humiliate, hate, distrust, deceive and kill Christians and Jews. They therefore knew that readings from the Koran would be hate crimes under the new law as hatred of non-believers continues to be a central doctrine of Islamic scriptures. The scary part is that anti-Semitism is facing resurgence particularly in Europe which has experienced a large influx of conservative Muslims.
Ms. Darwish brought up an interesting and very relevant point 
about her former religion. In the US we strongly believe in separation of Church and State. Muslims, however, have intertwined Islam with the Sharia laws. You can’t have one without the other. The author then stated that historically, once Muslims start building mosques in a country they will next begin to push for acceptance of Sharia laws. This is already happening here and in Europe. We have all started to hear of stories ranging from taxi drivers refusing passengers carrying alcohol to Muslim women wanting to take their drivers license picture in full regalia with only their eyes showing.
But why are we letting them get away with it in the first place? Either it is a religion (Islam) or it is a political party with their own set of laws (Sharia). Darwish wondered what would have happened if Lenin had said that Communism was a new religion and began building Communist temples in the US under our Freedom of Religion. What is the difference? We must enforce separation of Church and State allowing Islam without Sharia. Muslims in America must obey our laws and recognize that this is a country where women are treated equally, daughters aren’t killed if they “dishonor” their fathers and we settle disputes in courts not with violence. And just as we forced Mormons to change their religion to fit in with out monogamous society so must we deal with any illegalities found in Islam/Sharia.
As the NYC mosque situation was hitting the headlines I was reading this book which made it that much more chilling. At the end of her book, Ms. Darwish, who lived her first 30 years in a conservative Arab country asks “the West to send a strong and firm message to Muslims everywhere. 
Muslims need to hear that the human right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is above the right of any religion that wants to take it away. Muslims need to hear the word ‘No’”.
Although Ms. Darwish ends her compelling book with Jefferson’s quote, on the next to last page is another timely quote:
Great nations rise and fall. The people go from bondage to spiritual truth, to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back again to bondage. – Author Unknown.
So which stage are we at and can we learn to just say ‘No’?
Comment by proletarian on 1 September 2010:
PC, no doubt this is quite a controversial topic, however, from my study of various religions I have found, not unlike Ms Darwish’s rendention, there are copious versions of not just the teachings of Jesus and Moses, but Muhammad as well. Islam also had a schism amongst their ranks, no different than Judiaism, Hindusim, Christianity and a whole host of others. Quite frankly I can’t recall any religion that hasn’t had a schism at some point in their history.
But let me digress. Islam is a belief in Allah, the one and only God as told by Mohammad. The Qur’an is the alledged non-negotiable authority of Muslim life, but it does not cover all the aspects of life in great detail. So the words and actions of Muhammad and his deciples were used in many cases to explain or interpret the written text of the Qur’an and how it should be applied. These words and actions are referenced as authortative, although manmade.
There are a collection of six commentaries coalesced into what is called the “Sahih”. These are known collectively as the “Hadith” or “Sunna”, the customary practices of the Prophet. Muslim life is based on the Qur’an and the Hadith.
As far as schisms, the first was after Muhammad’s death in 10 AH/632 CE. There were those that thought his sucessor should solely be based on the best qualified man for the job, they became the Sunnis. Their doctrines were to follow the customs of Muhammad. The other side, technically called “the “shi’at ‘Ali” or “the party of ‘Ali,” thought Muhammad’s nearest relative should succeed him. This was his son-in-law, ‘Ali. These are the people that became Shi’a Muslims.
In the early years of Islam, Muslims led the world in a renaissance of Greek science and philosophy, utilizing algebra, alchemy and chemistry. But in later centuries many turned against this and believed it a distraction from the Qur’an. So far many of Islam have not returned to these sciences, thus creating another schism in belief.
This mystical Islam became widespread in the 12th century and is what has become influencial today.
From the first split the customs and practices of Muhammad became tradition and developed a code of law for life, known as “Shari’a”. There are four major schools of Shari’a and most Muslims live their lives according to one of them.
Upon Muhammad’s death the Muslim world established a government and laws in keeping with the Qur’an, and also the Sunna — the Prophet’s conduct and spoken word. These laws, compiled once again by religious experts, are Shari’a. They regulate all individual and communal activities. The same laws, purportedly, provide individuals with the basic means of living a righteous life.
As far as “35,213 references in the Koran, Sharia laws and various Muslim scriptures basically advocating killing non-believers”, it is a little inacurate. Someone would have to point out the specific verse in the Qur’an that references that for me. Now, as far as Shari’a, it is man made. Let’s face it, if it’s man made I’m going to have to guess it would serve man’s needs or desires.
Jihad comes from the Arabic word “jahada” — “he made an effort.” An effort can be made in many ways, fighting is only one. Even Muhammad thought of fighting as the lesser Jihad. The greater Jihad is taught as a fufliment of personal goals, overcoming wrongdoing in oneself.
The fundamental rule of the lesser Jihad is that one fights only in the defense of Muslims “under attack.” “What reason have you for not fighting in the cause of God and of those who are defenseless among men, women, and children? They cry out, ‘Our Lord, take us out of this town whose people are oppressors, and give us from yourself a protector and a friend.’” (Qur’an, Sura 4.77/75)
Muslim life is based on the Qur’an and the Hadith. The Qur’an dictates Jihad, but one’s interpretation of the Hadith commands how it is carried out. Hence, one is alledgedly God’s — or Allah’s — word, and the other is an interpretation by man of another man’s word or action. Hmmm?
The tutelary of the Shari’a is a caliph, alledged successor and deputy to the Prophet Muhammad. He is both the religious and political leader of the Islamic community. Muslims take to the Shari’a for guidance on morality and faith. Contrarily the Shi’i Muslims are different in that their Imamas are decendants of the Prophet and they believe him to be inspired by God to give authoritative instruction. All in all, it is the perversion of religion by man once again.
But let me end this Pc, since I’m becoming circumlocutory, by saying –nice work. It was a good read, although I found a few discrepancies that seem to be more opinion than fact. Be careful who you put your confidence in, some, such as Ms Darwish, may have their own agenda.
Oh, by the way, just in case you’re wondering, I’m not a Muslim. I am of no prevalent religious practice, although I do have a religious philosophy.
Comment by PC Fugitive on 1 September 2010:
Thank you for taking the time to comment and provide further insight on this subject. Not having read the Qur’an I am handicapped and dependent upon second hand knowledge. Although you are correct about the author’s agenda - it was quite apparent that having lived under Sharia she feared that someday America might allow it to function here. As the intent was to discuss her view on this I didn’t think a discussion of the schism was needed although that does explain a great deal of the Arab - Arab violence in the Middle East.
One interesting point since writing this. I had ordered more books about the subject including one on the history of Jihad. They arrived yesterday and as I started to read the Preface to the history book I became a bit confused for they kept warning that Jihad was coming to America. Turns out it was published in 1998, before 9-11. That doesn’t really matter as the book discusses Muslim history from the 600s to the Crusaders to Colonialization, WWII to Israel, in other words history I am not familiar with while I know what’s happened in the past decade or so. Nonetheless the warning in the book makes me wonder how many other books were out there warning us….
Anyway, thank you for you thoughtful review and critique. Once I plow through my newest books I may revisit this subject. Oh yes, as for my own disclaimer, before I can be accused of being too critical of Islam, if I ever finish reading this rather dry history book on the Popes then I might have a word or two on that subject, too!
Comment by jhon on 9 September 2010:
The attacks of September 11th is the greatest proof of the naivete of the American people and media manipulation by Jews and multinational oil and weapons. I pity you, everybody except you understands that the real danger for America are Jews