Islam in America: You Have Rights Not Privelges

Separation of church and state is built into our constitution because most of the initial immigrants suffered from religious persecution by the governments they left to migrate to our continent. Opps, our part of this continent. Is that "state" the federal government or the individual States?

It is the Congress or the federal government, not the individual state. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has made a great deal of this issue to the point that the individual states cannot, even local municipalities cannot in any way endorse any religion in any way. That did not appear to be the intent of the constitution or the framers would have worded the first amendment differently. Still, the ACLU law suits have force plenty of religious compromises.

This issue has been beaten to death with Christians, the majority, having to remove any evidence of their religious faith from public property, even if that property is state or local not federal. Enter the nation of Islam.

Islamic students in public schools wish to have time set aside for prayers. A totally reasonable and valid request. As long as the prayers are not financed or required by the federal government, not a problem. Other religious groups have the same rights, right? Of course they do. Freedom of religion and speech are in the first amendment for a reason.

Unlike many Islamic countries, members of other religious groups have the right to exercise their religion including witnessing or attempting to convert others to their religion in the United States. The US government cannot stop any religious group from exercising their religious rights, unless in the course of exercising their religious rights they infringe upon the rights of others.

James Jones stealing from his followers would be an infringement of their rights. The Klan hanging people would be an infringement of their rights. Jim Baker embezzling money from the PTL Club would be an infringement of their rights. Taking multiple underage wives against their wishes, you get the point. In any of these infringement cases it is the individuals, not the religion, subject to prosecution.

Just as the federal government cannot endorse a religion , it is also not required to provide for religious privileges other than freedom to exercise that religion. Followers of Islam need to understand they have rights, not privileges, other than the privilege of living in the United States. If there are religious requirements you have, you have to work with your employer to meet those religious requirements. It is not the federal or any other government's job to ensure to have certain hours off, certain days off, certain meats you do not have to touch or areas to exercise religious practices.

Followers of Islam also need to understand that in the United States everyone has civil rights. That includes the spouse and children of the follower of Islam. Followers of Islam need to understand that the majority of restaurants are not prepared to offer "clean" meals. They do offer clean foods per state and federal standards, but "unclean" foods are most often prepared on the premises. Any restaurant will attempt to meet your requirements, but they are not set up to meet Islamic standards.

This does not in any way imply we disrespect your religion, it just means you are not living in a predominately Islamic country. If I went to Tehran and ordered bacon, eggs and grits, I doubt it would happen. Then again if in Tehran and I invited a few people of Islam over to a Christian prayer group that would be amusing wouldn't it?

So enjoy the rights and freedoms you have. A little understanding on your part will go a long way. Remember this is a free and not as open after 9/11 society.