Religious Studies 102 introduces students to post-biblical theology and religious practice and the contexts in which they appear. Through a consideration of representative figures and issues, students analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments and points of view. In particular, we consider how concepts of the body are incorporated in religious beliefs and practices.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Practicing Islam a Felony?
A new anti-Islamic bill in the Tennessee legislature demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of Sharia. This article explains that even daily prayers and fasting during Ramadan would be illegal if this bill passes.
If this bill does pass, I hope that it gets appealed and overturned quickly because it is a clear suppression of the first amendment right to religion. Those first amendment freedoms are what make America what it is. Our founding fathers would be outraged that this is even being considered, especially since the bill is trying to prevent the overthrow of government, which is something that an extremely small minority of Muslims aim to do.
I cannot even believe that "educated" men are pushing for a bill like this. Their entire idea to ban Shariah just to get rid of some of the terrorist acts, is flaunting their ignorance of what Islam really is. In my opinion, these grown men proposing this law, who are supposed to be leaders in our society, have single handedly reversed progression towards peace and understanding between religions. Figureheads in society are making claims based on stereotypes and attempting to punish all Muslims for what some extremists, who technically do not truly follow Islamic law because of their extremism and mass murders, have done.
As an Iranian, I can tell you first-hand (in addition to the revolution happening in Iran today) that a majority of the people of Iran dislike the dictatorship that the government calls the "Islamic Republic of Iran". In the eyes of a majority of Iranians, the government is corrupt and this corruption cannot be blamed or reflected on the people who have never had a say in what is right and wrong. I could go on about this for days, but it is just so terrifying to me to see that much ignorance and intolerance in leaders of a country they are SUPPOSED to uphold as "the land of the free".
Just by creating this potential law, I think these men have made it reasonable to attempt to pass laws against anything that could potentially turn violent; for example, any kind of disagreements with the government. Disagreements become protests that sometimes may become violent. Protesting and terrorism may seem very different, but according to the logic of these Tennessee lawmakers, both are disagreeing with the government or culture, both strive to make a statement big enough to make a change, and both have extremists that go much too far to exert their beliefs. Here is one slight difference, however, the violence by muslims on this country is less than that of American radicals and protestors. To get even more specific what kind of law do they need to come up with to prevent events like the Arizona massacre?
I completely agree with both comments. I'd like to further point out the violence of the Christian Crusades. Christians abused the name of Christ and committed acts of terriosm--in the name of Christ. Does that mean that the United States should then outlaw certain parts of the Bible? The United States would never do that, nor should they do this. This proposal is absolutely ridiculous.
I am in total agreements with the comments; the fact that Tennessee is trying to oppress a certain religion is ludicrous. I feel people a a huge misunderstanding about the religion of Islam and its purpose in life. It is the misinterpretation of this religion that has fueled all this tension toward Islam. If this bill passes, first i will be ashamed to be a resident of such a state that allowed this bill to past, and second I would hoe also that some sane person in the government would stand up and appeal it.
Passing a bill like this is a VERY bold move on the part of the Tennessee government and essentially takes away fundamental rights. Fundamental rights such as the First Amendment right to freedom of religion is what makes the U.S. such a great country. Intolerance for other religions is simply a product of ignorance. Like previous comments pointed out, Islam in general does not mean terrorists. Terrorism is simply a result of a few extremists. One can even go so far as to say that Christianity has many of its own groups of extremists, yet they aren't pushing for a bill to ban parts of the bible. I agree completely with all of the previous comments.
As a resident of Tennessee, I am appalled by this bill, but unfortunately, I am not surprised. Tennessee is largely a conservative state. Illegal immigration has been the hot-button item in most recent elections, but this is taking that too far. This would deny legal US Citizens of Constitution-granted rights. I agree with everyone above me that this bill would infringe on the Muslim-Americans' first amendment rights. This bill is wrong, and not in any one state's power to enforce. I truly hope this does not pass. If given the chance, I plan to vote against it.
If this bill does pass, I hope that it gets appealed and overturned quickly because it is a clear suppression of the first amendment right to religion. Those first amendment freedoms are what make America what it is. Our founding fathers would be outraged that this is even being considered, especially since the bill is trying to prevent the overthrow of government, which is something that an extremely small minority of Muslims aim to do.
ReplyDeleteI cannot even believe that "educated" men are pushing for a bill like this. Their entire idea to ban Shariah just to get rid of some of the terrorist acts, is flaunting their ignorance of what Islam really is. In my opinion, these grown men proposing this law, who are supposed to be leaders in our society, have single handedly reversed progression towards peace and understanding between religions. Figureheads in society are making claims based on stereotypes and attempting to punish all Muslims for what some extremists, who technically do not truly follow Islamic law because of their extremism and mass murders, have done.
ReplyDeleteAs an Iranian, I can tell you first-hand (in addition to the revolution happening in Iran today) that a majority of the people of Iran dislike the dictatorship that the government calls the "Islamic Republic of Iran". In the eyes of a majority of Iranians, the government is corrupt and this corruption cannot be blamed or reflected on the people who have never had a say in what is right and wrong. I could go on about this for days, but it is just so terrifying to me to see that much ignorance and intolerance in leaders of a country they are SUPPOSED to uphold as "the land of the free".
Just by creating this potential law, I think these men have made it reasonable to attempt to pass laws against anything that could potentially turn violent; for example, any kind of disagreements with the government. Disagreements become protests that sometimes may become violent. Protesting and terrorism may seem very different, but according to the logic of these Tennessee lawmakers, both are disagreeing with the government or culture, both strive to make a statement big enough to make a change, and both have extremists that go much too far to exert their beliefs. Here is one slight difference, however, the violence by muslims on this country is less than that of American radicals and protestors. To get even more specific what kind of law do they need to come up with to prevent events like the Arizona massacre?
I completely agree with both comments. I'd like to further point out the violence of the Christian Crusades. Christians abused the name of Christ and committed acts of terriosm--in the name of Christ. Does that mean that the United States should then outlaw certain parts of the Bible? The United States would never do that, nor should they do this. This proposal is absolutely ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI am in total agreements with the comments; the fact that Tennessee is trying to oppress a certain religion is ludicrous. I feel people a a huge misunderstanding about the religion of Islam and its purpose in life. It is the misinterpretation of this religion that has fueled all this tension toward Islam. If this bill passes, first i will be ashamed to be a resident of such a state that allowed this bill to past, and second I would hoe also that some sane person in the government would stand up and appeal it.
ReplyDeletePassing a bill like this is a VERY bold move on the part of the Tennessee government and essentially takes away fundamental rights. Fundamental rights such as the First Amendment right to freedom of religion is what makes the U.S. such a great country. Intolerance for other religions is simply a product of ignorance. Like previous comments pointed out, Islam in general does not mean terrorists. Terrorism is simply a result of a few extremists. One can even go so far as to say that Christianity has many of its own groups of extremists, yet they aren't pushing for a bill to ban parts of the bible. I agree completely with all of the previous comments.
ReplyDeleteAs a resident of Tennessee, I am appalled by this bill, but unfortunately, I am not surprised. Tennessee is largely a conservative state. Illegal immigration has been the hot-button item in most recent elections, but this is taking that too far. This would deny legal US Citizens of Constitution-granted rights. I agree with everyone above me that this bill would infringe on the Muslim-Americans' first amendment rights. This bill is wrong, and not in any one state's power to enforce. I truly hope this does not pass. If given the chance, I plan to vote against it.
ReplyDelete