Can a Good Christian Be a Good American?

by Sheila Musaji

INTRODUCTION

An email has been making the rounds for the last few years.  It is entitled “Can A Good Muslim Be A Good American” and insinuates that the answer is no.  It appears to be gaining a new life and turned up on the Stop the ACLU site today with an additional final point and a commentary.  The added final point reads:  “Therefore, after much study and deliberation…. Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both ‘good ‘ Muslims and good Americans. Call it what you wish it’s still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future. The religious war is bigger than we know or understand. .. …. And Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim, wants to be our President? You have GOT to be kidding! Wake up America!”

The commentary reads:

“The logic contained in this small essay is simple but irrefutable. To win this GWOT which we have had thrust upon us, we must first have the courage to face things the way they actually are, not the way we wish they were. The truth is not always pleasant — in this particular case it is extremely unpleasant. But that doesn’t make it any less true. We have to start getting serious about our commitment to our own safety and survival and begin to recognize this dangerous new world for what it is. We have to start asking ourselves the really difficult questions. And we have to have the national will to act on the answers — no matter what it takes.

Is it safe to have a thriving Muslim population living here amongst us with demonstrably dubious loyalty to the United States? Is it safe to allow Muslim organizations to flourish unchecked here on our own shores during this War Against the West declared by Islam? Is it safe to have Muslims increasingly infiltrating positions of power and influence within our own government? Is it safe to have Muslims in sensitive positions in our Military and Intelligence organizations?

These are just some of the hard questions we must at least begin to ask.  But can we?  Will we?

Do we have the necessary courage to override the multiculturalist’s PC environment in which we find ourselves? Do we have the necessary courage to put our national security concerns over the concerns of offending the racial, ethnic, religious or cultural sensitivities of an immigrant population whose loyalties are this suspect?

Right now, it doesn’t look too promising, does it?” (Note:  emphasis mine)

It would seem that the election is bringing out all the crazies that believe that demonizing Muslims will help them to influence the upcoming election.  The Barack Obama comment was not part of the original email started in 2006.  But, it fits right in with the current tsunami of anti-Muslim information being fed to the American public, for example the distribution of 28 million free copies of the DVD “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War With the West”, the release of a new film by the same folks this month called “The Third Jihad”, Robert Spencer’s book coming out in November “Stealth Jihad”, and thousands of articles whose basic theme is - The Muslims Are Here!  Some of them are dangerous!  We need to do something! 

What is a good Muslim?  “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last Day and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask; and for the freeing of captives; to be steadfast in prayers, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you made; and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-conscious.” (Qur’an 2:177)

What is a good American?  An individual who loves this country and defends the country and the Constitution.  Defending your country sometimes means disagreeing with its policies which is a right guaranteed by our constitution. The polls suggest that over 70% of the population think that the country is heading in the wrong direction.  Is it possible that 70% of the population are not good Americans because they disagree with some policies?

Let’s look at the email and at the answers that have been given to it previously by Abdulaziz Sachedina (AS) and Bahar Bastani (BB) as well as verses from the Qur’an and my own thoughts.

CAN A DEVOUT MUSLIM BE AN AMERICAN PATRIOT AND A LOYAL CITIZEN? CONSIDER THIS:

Theologically, no. Because his allegiance is to Allah, the moon god of Arabia.

In the Qur’an, we read that the earth in its entirety belongs to God, and humans can settle anywhere as long as they do not encroach on the rights of others to that piece of land where they will settle. As such, wherever Muslims live, they have the responsibility to defend the community and take care of the environment and other related matters for the good of all. “Patriotism”, in the sense of “love for a place where one lives and has a home and family” is part of one’s faith in Islam. Hence, “loyalty” and “patriotism” to one’s country of residence is an obligation that stems from one’s faith commitment. “Allegiance” to God means allegiance to the betterment of this earth and its inhabitants without the extremes of negative nationalism and patriotisms.  (AS)

“Allah” is the Arabic word for “The God”.  The Arab Christian and Jews also call The God “Allah”.  The Christians and Jews also believed in the same Almighty God, and have their allegiance to God.  This belief does not deprive any of us from being good and patriotic citizens of any country. (BB)

God is He save whom there is no deity; the One who knows all that is beyond the reach of a created being’s perception, as well as that can be witnessed by a creature senses or mind; He, the most Merciful and the Dispenser of love and mercy. (Qur’an 59:22)

God is He save whom there is no deity; the Sovereign Supreme, the Holy, the One with whom all salvation rests, the Giver of faith, the One who determines what is true and false, the Almighty, the One who subdues wrong and restores right, the One to whom all greatness belongs; Utterly remote is God in His limitless Glory from anything to which men may ascribe as share in His divinity! (Qur’an 59:23)

He is the God, the Creator, the Maker, who shapes all forms and appearances! His alone are the attributes of perfection. All that is in the heaven and on the earth Extols His limitless glory; for He is almighty, truly Wise! (Qur’an 59:24)

Say: He is the One God, God the eternal, the uncaused cause of all being. He begets not and neither is He begotten; There is nothing that could be compared to Him. (Qur’an 112:1-4 )

We created the human, and we know what he whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein. (Qur’an 50:16)

Allegiance to God did not prevent Ronald Reagan from being a good American. Why should it prevent a Muslim from being a good American? Before Muhammad came the Arabs worshipped many gods (just as the ancient Jews did), one of which was both the moon god and the most high deity — al-Lah. Similarly, YHWY of the Old Testament is thought by many to originally have been a god of storms and war, who was adopted by the ancient Israelites and elevated to the status of the most important deity, then to the status of the only deity. Very similar to the story of Allah. (source)

Religiously, no. Because no other religion is accepted by his Allah except Islam (Quran, 2:256)

Quite to the contrary, of all the three Abrahamic scriptures, it is only in the Qur’an that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are treated as equally capable of guiding and saving their own flocks. God has no problem with any religion because there is only true faith that leads different peoples of the world to their Creator. It is a problem when different faith communities teach discrimination against others. In the record of the world history, one needs to examine whether it was Islam or any other religion that had problem with coexistence with other communities. The record of Islamic civilization is clear and open for anyone needing evidence of tolerance and acceptance of other faiths and peoples.  (AS)

“Surely those who believe (in Islam) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in God and the last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.” (2:62 & 5:69).  And furthermore, “Yes! Whoever submits himself entirely to God and he is the doer of good (to others) he has his reward from his Lord, and there is no fear for him, nor shall he grieve.” (2: 112)”.

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things. (Qur’an 2:256)

Scripturally, no. Because his allegiance is to the five pillars of Islam and the Quran (Koran).

The five pillars of Islam are:  The declaration that there is no deity but the One God, and that Mohammad is a messenger of the One God; To perform daily prayers; To fast; To give regular charity; And to perform pilgrimage to Mecca once in lifetime.  I wonder how these beliefs interfere with one’s good citizenship anymore than believing in Jesus or the Holy Sacrament or Trinity would contradict ones patriotism.  (BB)

Socially, no. Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.

Again, there is no “allegiance” to Islam. There is faith in God and “Islam” is an act of submission to God’s will that requires Muslims to live in peace with all communities on earth, including the Jews and the Christians. However, if any group of humanity engages in hostility against Muslims then they are required to defend themselves. There is no blind friendship or loyalty in Islam. If friendship to any human being, regardless whether that person is a Muslim, Jew, or Christian leads to corruption in society, then Muslims are to shun such company and loyalty. (AS)

Muslims are only discouraged from being friends with those who have made war on the Muslims.  (Source)

“God does not forbid you from making friends with those who have not made war against you on account of your religion and have not driven you forth from your homes.  Show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice. God only forbids you from making friends with those who made war against you on account of your religion and drove you forth from your homes and backed up others in your expulsion.  Whoever makes friends with them are the unjust.” (60: 8-9)

“Not all of them are alike: of the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) are a portion that stand (for the right): They rehearse the Signs of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. Of the good that they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for God knows well those that do right.” (Quran, 3:113–115)

… To each among you have we prescribed a Law and an Open Way. If God had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He has given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which you dispute. (Qur’an 5:48)

Oh mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (Not that you may despise each other). (Qur’an 49:13) which is the verse that has always been displayed on the front page of The American Muslim site.

Politically, no. Because he must submit to the mullah (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan.

In Islam there is neither “church” nor “priesthood.” No Muslim has an obligation to follow a scholar (Mullah) who teaches hatred and harm to others. To the contrary, it is the duty of Muslims to follow the leaders who represent the moral and spiritual values of Islam. No one can stand indifferent to injustice in the world and regard himself or herself as a member of the human community, let alone of the Muslim community. At the same time, Muslims must always be alert and prepared to face the hostility and irrational attitude of other peoples. It is Satanic to demonize other human beings – whether it is done religiously or politically; whether it comes in the form of religious bigotry, or social and political discrimination.  (AS)

In Islam one can only follow his/her conscience, the truth, and God.  There are no intermediaries between us and God.  The political views of some religious leaders in regards to the state of Israel or the foreign policies of America are not considered religious or divine verdicts.  (BB)

“And never concern yourself with anything of which you have no knowledge; surely the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of these, shall be questioned about that.” (Qur’an 17:36)

It is clearly true that there are some mullahs who teach “annihilation and destruction” of Israel and America. That is inexcusable. I have also heard of Christian ministers and leaders — to whose authority their congregations are often expected to submit — say that we should just destroy the Middle East (nuke ‘em — turn that sand into glass). That is equally inexcusable, and hardly represents Jesus’s ethos of “turning the other cheek.” This kind of talk mutually reinforces the hatred that is sadly building between Christians and Muslims. (Source)

Domestically, no, because he is instructed to marry four women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4:34).

There is no such blanket obligation in the Qur’an to marry four wives. The quoted verse occurs in the context of orphan girls under the custody of a guardian who, in the interest of preserving the property of the orphan girls, is instructed to marry one, two, three or four, provided he can treat them justly. Islam did not invent polygamy. It existed before it in every religion and civilization, and Islam is the first religion to actually limit the number of wives to four. The Qur’an also underscores the reality in spousal relationship that treating with justice among multiple wives is impossible, and, therefore, a Muslim is advised to stick to one wife. The question of honor of the home is extremely central to the Qur’an and therefore, whether it is a woman who is unfaithful to her husband or a husband who is unfaithful to his wife (Q. 4:128), the matter deserves to be resolved quickly to preserve the sanctity of the family.  (AS)

Neither the old or new testaments of the Bible forbid polygamy.  The State of Israel has severely limited the ability for Jews to enter polygamous marriages, but instituted provisions for existing polygamous families immigrating from countries where the practice was legal.  There is still polygamy in some Christian communities in the United States as well as in Africa.  In any case Muslims are required to obey the law of the land in which they live, and for American Muslims that means that polygamy is illegal, and anyone practicing polygamy in America can be prosecuted under the law.

The verse 4:34 has been interpreted and translated in many different ways including to beat, but also to chastise or to leave or go away.  (Source)

As Dr. Robert Crane has pointed out in his 5 part article “Fascist-Islamophobia”: A Case Study in Totalitarian Demonization:  “It is perhaps excusable that Robert Spencer is not familiar with the research by Abdulhamid Abusulayman, “Marital Discord: Recapturing the Full Islamic Spirit of Human Dignity”, published by the International Institute of Islamic Thought and reaffirmed by the Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America, Shaykh Taha Jabir al Alwani, which first identified seventeen different uses of the word daraba in the Qur’an.  Dr. Abusulayman observes that the general connotation of “daraba” in Qur’anic parlance is “to separate, distance, depart, and abandon.” He points out that the idiom “jalala” is used for lash, whip, flog as in corporal punishment in Surah al Nur 24:2.  The “beating” verse refers to separation as a last resort, and itself must be interpreted within the context of the Prophet’s teaching that, “the worst of all permissible things is divorce.” (Dr. Abusulayman’s monograph as well as many others are available from the Peaceful Families site, one of the many Muslim organizations devoted to ending all forms of domestic abuse.)

As to the position of women in general, a Gallup poll found that 72% of Americans disagreed with this statement: “The majority of those living in Muslim countries thought men and women should have equal rights.” In fact, majorities in even some of the most conservative Muslim societies directly refute this assessment: 73% of Saudis, 89% of Iranians and 94% of Indonesians say that men and women should have equal legal rights. Majorities of Muslim men and women in dozens of countries around the world also believe that a woman should have the right to work outside the home at any job for which she is qualified (88% in Indonesia, 72% in Egypt and even 78% in Saudi Arabia), and to vote without interference from family members (87% in Indonesia, 91% in Egypt, 98% in Lebanon).  (Source) And it should be remembered that in modern times, Muslim women have been heads of state five times in Muslim-majority countries, elected democratically by popular vote (in Bangladesh twice and also in Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan).

Intellectually, no, because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.

The Constitution of the United States of America is based on universal values taught by all Abrahamic religions, including Christianity and Islam. All religions, at one time or another, have suffered distortions in the hands of their own followers. No religious tradition is immune from such corruptive influences of some in their midst. It is self-righteous to point fingers at others while forgetting the ugliest anti-Semitic images that have haunted Western societies in the last century in the heart of Europe and other regions of the world. The American constitution is as much Islamic, as it is Christian, and Muslim Americans are proud of our constitution and our democracy. (AS)

The American Constitution was written by very intelligent and wise people who foresaw the great dangers of the self righteous, right wing, evangelical, religious zealots, and in order not to repeat the European experience of the dark ages, they deliberately separated the Institution of the Government from that of the Church.  May God bless their well guided souls?

Philosophically, no, because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran do not allow freedom of religion and expression.

Nothing can be farther from the truth. In fact, the Qur’an declares in no uncertain terms: “There shall be no compulsion in religion” (Q. 2:256). Philosophically, the Qur’an laid down the foundation of “natural religion” (fitrat) with which God has created all human beings. It also made sure that complete freedom existed for all humans to choose their faith and spiritual destiny. The Prophet set examples for his community to handle the fact of diversity of faiths, requiring Muslims to recognize and respect God’s decision in the matter of allowing various faith communities to exist with each other and even with those who choose not to believe in God at all.  (AS)

Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.

The correct statement would read like this: Islam and democracy are compatible and can coexist because Islam organizes humanity on the basis of the rule of law and human dignity. But contemporary Muslim governments, in order to remain in power and exercise absolute control over the financial and other resources of their respective countries, have abandoned these teachings of democratic governance and accountability to law. These oppressive and tyrannical regimes are not Islamic, but usually driven by secular and even anti-Islamic ideologies.  (AS)

Palestine has a democracy, albeit not a well-functioning one. Indonesia has an elected president. Pakistan did before the military took over. Turkey has a democratically elected president. Iran had a democracy for most of the 20th century — until the U.S. government helped overthrow it and re-instate a kingdom (which was later overthrown by the Islamic Revolution).  (Source)

Geographically, no. Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.

The direction of the prayer has nothing to do with ones patriotism.  It is simply a symbol that the center of attention of a Muslim in his/her life is divine, i.e., God.  Perhaps from now on all Muslims, Christians and Jews should pray towards the White House to prove we are all “geographically” patriotic??  (BB)

In Islam there is no concept of Promised Land to which one day all Muslims must return before the Final Days. There is no allegiance to any part of the earth, not even to Mecca. Allegiance is only to God, the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. No Muslim has “allegiance” to the Five Pillars. The Five Pillars are nothing more than the means to show one’s obedience to God. Mecca is important simply because it has one of the holiest places of worship – mosques – built by Prophet Abraham and his son Ismael. No Muslim ever dreams of returning to Mecca for permanent residence. There is always a desire to visit and to worship God in the sanctuary.  (AS)

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness - to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-Conscious. (Quran 2:177 )

Spiritually, no, because when we declare “one nation under God,” the Christian’s God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as our heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran’s 99 excellent names.

One of the most beautiful names of God is “the Compassionate, the Merciful”, which Muslims repeat at least 17 times a day. If Love cannot translate into “compassion or mercy,” then it is an abstraction without meaning or application. In the Qur’an God has prescribed mercy for Himself (Q. 6:54), and that means that in dealing with humanity God will always show consideration as it improves itself to establish justice on earth. Muslims believe that they live under the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. That God is Trustworthy, Merciful, Compassionate and Loving God who cares for all human beings more than their own mother. Islam does not encourage turning God into a political statement since humans cannot possess God. They can simply relate themselves to God by emulating God’s compassion and forgiveness.  (AS)

The most revered feature of God in the Quran is His Mercifulness and Compassion for His creatures.  One hundred thirteen of the 114 chapters of the Quran start with, “In the name of God the Most Merciful and the most Compassionate”. Yes, the God of Islam has not been called Heavenly Father because it has more features of a Heavenly Mother “Raab”, who is the most benevolent, loving, and caring for His/Her creation.  The God of Islam has both masculine and feminine features, and thus, is not merely a “father” or “a male God”.  (BB)

One of the 99 names is “The Loving, The Kind One.” One of the attributes of Allah is Al-Wadood. This appears in the Quran at two places (11:90, 85:14).  Al-Wadood means: The Most Loving.  (Source)

Therefore after much study and deliberation....perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. They obviously cannot be both good Muslims and good Americans. Call it what you wish...it’s still the truth. If you find yourself intellectually in agreement with the above, perhaps you will share this with your friends. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country.

No honest study about any faith on earth can lead to such distortions about the religious and cultural “other.” Muslims like any other peoples who inhabit the USA can love this country or any other country where they settle, without hating other citizens.  (AS)

It might be interesting to turn this absurd polemic on its head and ask the identical question about Christianity.  I must make it clear that this is not what I believe, it is only an example of just how easy (and how immoral) it is to play with words in this way.

CAN A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN BE AN AMERICAN PATRIOT AND A LOYAL CITIZEN? CONSIDER THIS:

Theologically, no. Because his allegiance is to Jesus Christ only and he believes that only Christians have the right to practice their religion. They are willing to deny religious liberty to others. They are willing to go to war to enforce this belief.

John Ashcroft at Bob Jones University: “Unique among the nations, America recognized the source of our character as being godly and eternal, not being civic and temporal. And we have understood that our source is eternal, America is different. We have no king but Jesus.” (Source)

Mike Huckabee: “I didn’t get into politics because I thought government had a better answer. I got into politics because I knew government didn’t have the real answers, that the real answers lie in accepting Jesus Christ into our lives. […] I hope we answer the alarm clock and take this nation back for Christ.” (Source)

Rev. Joseph Morecraft, Chalcedon Presbyterian Church: “Nobody has the right to worship on this planet any other God than Jehovah. And therefore the state does not have the responsibility to defend anybody’s pseudo-right to worship an idol.” In a speech “Biblical Role of Civil Government” given 8/31/93 at Biblical Worldview and Christian Education Conference.  (Source)

Operation Save America (Christian group): “In this day of religious pluralism where all “gods” are to be tolerated, we Christians are called to draw a line in the sand. We must stand upon the fact that Jesus Christ alone is God and apart from Him there is no other. This is the reason we are placing the enclosed brochure in your hands. If we love our neighbors lost in the lie of Islam, we must love them enough to tell them the truth. If we love our brothers and sisters who claim the Name of Christ, we must love them enough to tell them that Islam and Christianity cannot peacefully coexist. They are at war (Genesis 3:15). (Source)

Family Research Council:  “[W]hile it is true that the United States of America was founded on the sacred principle of religious freedom for all, that liberty was never intended to exalt other religions to the level that Christianity holds in our country’s heritage. Our Founders expected that Christianity—and no other religion—would receive support from the government as long as that support did not violate peoples’ consciences and their right to worship.” (Source)

Gary North: “So let us be blunt about it: We must use the doctrine of religious liberty to gain independence for Christian schools until we train up a generation of people who know that there is no religious neutrality, no neutral law, no neutral education, and no neutral civil government. Then they will be get busy in constructing a Bible-based social, political and religious order which finally denies the religious liberty of the enemies of God.” “The Intellectual Schizophrenia of the New Christian Right” in Christianity and Civilization: The Failure of the American Baptist Culture, No. 1 (Spring, 1982), p. 25.

Religiously, no. Because no other religion is accepted by his God except Christianity, and then only a specific form of Christianity

Tom Delay House Majority Whip in a speech at a Texas, Baptist Church: “Christianity offers the only viable, reasonable, definitive answer to the questions of ‘Where did I come from?’ ‘Why am I here?’ ‘Where am I going?’ ‘Does life have any meaningful purpose?’ - and “Only Christianity offers a comprehensive worldview that covers all areas of life and thought, every aspect of creation. Only Christianity offers a way to live in response to the realities that we find in this world—only Christianity.” (Source)

Rev. J. Don George, senior pastor of Calvary Temple in Irving, TX: ”Our faith is in Jesus Christ, and the Muslim community does not accept Jesus and God, and therefore we’re at odds with Muslims....Any religion or ideology that refuses to acknowledge the lordship of Jesus Christ could be typified as a war against Satan.” (Source)

Rev. Pat Robertson:  “You say you’re supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists and this, that, and the other thing. Nonsense! I dont have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist. I can love the people who hold false opinions, but I don’t have to be nice to them.” (Source)

Scripturally, no. Because his allegiance is to the Bible as the literal word of God.  And, they interpret the Bible to teach that they have a mandate from God to bring about God’s will. 

Beverly La Haye, Concerned Women for America: “Yes, religion and politics do mix. America is a nation based on biblical principles. Christian values dominate our government. The test of those values is the Bible. Politicians who do not use the bible to guide their public and private lives do not belong in office.” (Source)

Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin: “George Bush was not elected by a majority of the voters in the United States, he was appointed by God.” (Source)

Socially, no. Because his allegiance to Christianity forbids him to see anyone but Christians as his equals.  Christians believe that they are superior to all the rest of humanity.

Pat Buchanan: “Our culture is superior. Our culture is superior because our religion is Christianity and that is the truth that makes men free.” Speech to the Christian Coalition, September 1993.  (Source)

John McCain when asked whether the President of the United States should be Christian:  “Personally, I prefer someone who I know has a solid grounding in my faith [Christianity]. I feel that my faith is a better spiritual guide– better spiritual guidance.” (Source)

Rapture Ready site:  “God has plainly said that Christianity is superior to all other faiths. There is no coming together for the sake of love and understanding. Many liberal churches try to use the fight against racial hatred as an excuse for forming alliances with other faiths. The Christians who resist the unity movement are called intolerant.  The only intolerance we need to worry about is God’s abhorrence of sin. If people reject Jesus Christ’s gift of salvation, they will simply end up eternally lost.:  (Source)

Politically, no. Because he must submit to the Christian clerics, who teach that the Apocalypse is imminent and Christians have a responsibility to help bring prophecy to pass by supporting Israel under any circumstances, and showing no concern for Palestinians, Iraqis or any other non-Christians who are in the way of prophecy being fulfilled.  They believe all other religions are Satanic.

Ronald Reagan, President of the U.S.: “For the first time ever, everything is in place for the Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ.” (Source)

Sen. Inhofe on the Senate floor: “Israel has a right to land “because God said so.” (Source)

James Watt, Secretary of the Interior in the Reagan Admin. Responsible for National Policy regarding the Environment “We don’t have to protect the environment, the Second Coming is at hand.” (Source)

Rev. John Hagee in his book “Jerusalem Countdown,” argues that a confrontation with Iran is a necessary precondition for and the Second Coming of Christ, and that the United States must join Israel in a preemptive military strike against Iran to fulfill God’s plan for both Israel and the West. (Source)

Rev. Benny Hinn proclaimed to thousands of Christians at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX that “We are on God’s side. This is not a war between Arabs and Jews. It’s a war between God and the devil.” (Source)

Ron Pisaturo in an article in Capitalism magazine, “The rights of one American, whether a soldier or a civilian, are worth more than the lives of all men, women and children in all these nations combined. Over time, pioneers, with the paid support of our military, can go into these isolated territories, subdue the remaining savages, install a civilized, colonial government protecting the rights of both the pioneers and the savages, and settle the land--as American pioneers subdued the savage, murderous American Indian tribes and settled America.” (Source)

David Chilton: “The god of Judaism is the devil. The Jew will not be recognized by God as one of His chosen people until he abandons his demonic religion and returns to the faith of his fathers--the faith which embraces Jesus Christ and His Gospel. “ The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Ft. Worth, TX: Dominion Press, 1984), p. 127

Domestically, no, because he is instructed to keep women in their place.

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” 1 Timothy 2:11-12

“And a man will choose any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman. Sin began with a woman and thanks to her we all must die.” (Ecclesiasticus, 25:18, 19 & 33)

The Bible says, ”When a man sells his daughter as a slave she shall not go out as male slaves do.  If she does not please her master, who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed; he shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, …. If he takes another wife to himself he shall not diminish food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife, …” (Exodus 21:7-10) “… on the seventh day you shall have a holy sabbath of solemn rest to the Lord; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.” (Exodus 35:2).  “…. , it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves.  You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been borne in your land; and they may be your property.  You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property.” (Levitucus 25:44-46).  Since the constitution of the United States has forbidden slavery, selling your daughters, marrying more than one wife, or killing people who work on Saturdays, a true follower of the Holy Bible can not be considered a loyal citizen of this country.  Again, I emphasize that all these rules and regulations should be seen in the context of the socioeconomics of their time and environment.  (BB)

Pat Robertson, Christian Coalition: “I know this is painful for the ladies to hear, but if you get married, you have accepted the headship of a man, your husband. Christ is the head of the household and the husband is the head of the wife, and that’s the way it is, period.” (Source)

Intellectually, no, because he cannot accept the American Constitution as a secular document guaranteeing religious freedom to all and wants to break down the separation between church and state. 

Mike Huckabee in a speech in Michigan:  “But I believe it’s a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God. And that’s what we need to do, to amend the Constitution so it’s in God’s standards.” Is the Constitution really based on biblical principles? By his own statement above it does not appear that Huckabee believes so. Is it possible for Huckabee to be considered a “good American” since he can not seem to accept or reconcile the Constitution as it is written with his interpretation of the Bible?

42% of Americans see themselves as “Christian first” as opposed to “American first” according to a Pew Global Attitudes Project national survey conducted in 2006. In 2004 ChristianWebSite.com conducted a poll of their visitors. This is a conservative Protestant web site and probably most of their visitors are Fundamentalist or other Evangelical Protestants. They asked the question: “Do you believe the US Constitution calls for separation of Church and State?” The response was:  No 88.7%, Yes: 11.2?  So, 88% of American Evangelicals do not believe in separation of Church and State.

Gary North (who according to Walter Olson in an article in Reason Online served at one time on the staff of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TEXAS)) wants to deny citizenship to non-Christians.  He said: “The long-term goal of Christians in politics should be to gain exclusive control over the franchise. Those who refuse to submit publicly to the eternal sanctions of God by submitting to His Church’s public marks of the covenant--baptism and holy communion--must be denied citizenship, just as they were in ancient Israel.” Gary North, Political Polytheism: The Myth of Pluralism (Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, 1989, p. 87.) (Source)

Bill Gray, Legal Advisor to Gov. James of Alabama, in defense of his grilling applicants for state government positions on their religious practices “Clearly our nation was founded for a particular purpose and that purpose was, among other things, the propagation of the Gospel of Christ.” (Source)

Robert T. Lee (Society for the Practical Establishment of the Ten Commandments): “Raising your children under Americanism or any other principles other than true Christianity is child abuse.” “You do not have the right to be wrong, regardless of what any man-made or demonic charter says.” “Democracy originated in the mind of a rational being who has the deepest hatred for God.” “Do you realize that the only thing that gives democracy existence is sin? The absence of democracy is perfect obedience to god.” “The best way to insure the earth is never over populated is for sensible and righteous governments to clear all forms of atheism and heresy.” (Source)

Rev. Pat Robertson: “When I said during my presidential bid that I would only bring Christians and Jews into the government, I hit a firestorm. What do you mean? the media challenged me. ‘You’re not going to bring atheists into the government? How dare you maintain that those who believe the Judeo-Christian values are better qualified to govern America than Hindus and Muslims?’ My simple answer is, Yes, they are.” The New World Order, (Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas) 1991, p. 218.  (Source) (This defies the U.S. Constitution which says that there will be no religious test for public office.)

Rev. Pat Robertson:  “The Constitution of the United States, for instance, is a marvelous document for self-government by the Christian people. But the minute you turn the document into the hands of non-Christian people and atheistic people they can use it to destroy the very foundation of our society. And that’s what’s been happening.” (Source)

Philosophically, no, because Christianity wants to see freedom of religion and expression allowed only under the rule of Christians.  They believe that they have a right to rule America, and the world.

Rev. D. James Kennedy, Coral Ridge Ministries “Our job is to reclaim America for Christ, whatever the cost,” Kennedy says. “As the vice regents of God, we are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government, our literature and arts, our sports arenas, our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors—in short, over every aspect and institution of human society.” (Source)

Rev. D. James Kennedy: “This is our land. This is our world. This is our heritage, and with God’s help, we shall reclaim this nation for Jesus Christ. And no power on earth can stop us.” Character and Destiny: A Nation in Search of Its Soul, 1994 (p. 85)

Democracy and Christianity cannot co-exist because Christians want to control the government and all public agencies and ultimately this will lead to the loss of democracy and the creation of a theocracy.

Jerry Falwell:  “I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won’t have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them.” (Source)

Terry Randall: “I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you.  I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good ... Our goal is a Christian nation. We have a Biblical duty; we are called by God to conquer this country. We don’ t want equal time. We don’t want pluralism.” (Source)

Spiritually, no, because the Christian’s God is loving and kind in a way that is impossible for the rest of us to understand.

The concept of love is talked about a lot, but it seems that rather than following all of the scriptures about forgiveness, compassion, and turning the other cheek, many of them have chosen to follow the more violent passages of their scriptures in the real world where America is now engaged in two overt wars in the Middle East and I’m not sure how many covert wars..

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you. And when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them.” (Deutronomy 7:1-2)

“I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” (Luke 19:26-27)

“Do not think that I have come to send peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. I am sent to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law” (Matthew 10:34-35)

Rev. Rod Parsley: “I cannot tell you how important it is that we understand the true nature of Islam, that we see it for what it really is. In fact, I will tell you this: I do not believe our country can truly fulfill its divine purpose until we understand our historical conflict with Islam. I know that this statement sounds extreme, but I do not shrink from its implications. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed, and I believe September 11, 2001, was a generational call to arms that we can no longer ignore.” Silent No More (Charisma House, 2005) (Source)

Rev. John Hagee:  “It was the disobedience and rebellion of the Jews, God’s chosen people, to their covenantal responsibility to serve only the one true God, Jehovah, that gave rise to the opposition and persecution that they experienced beginning in Canaan and continuing to this very day.” (Source)

Rev. Pat Robertson: “It is interesting, that termites don’t build things, and the great builders of our nation almost to a man have been Christians, because Christians have the desire to build something. He is motivated by love of man and God, so he builds. The people who have come into (our) institutions (today) are primarily termites. They are into destroying institutions that have been built by Christians, whether it is universities, governments, our own traditions, that we have.... The termites are in charge now, and that is not the way it ought to be, and the time has arrived for a godly fumigation.” New York Magazine, August 18, 1986 (Source)

Ann Coulter: “We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren’t punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet-bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That’s war. And this is war.” (Source)

Therefore after much study and deliberation.... perhaps we should be all be very protective of our fragile democracy and do everything in our power to make certain that this country remains free and continues to follow our Constitution and to maintain a separation of church and state.  Our founding fathers were very careful to establish this country in such a way that it would not be a theocracy.  We can’t allow a theocracy to ever become our form of government.  After all, what would happen if the majority were other than it is now? 

How is it possible that we could have learned so little from our past mistakes, in spite of having access to so much information?  Perhaps people have the right to say whatever hateful things they wish, but the fact that we have a legal right to such speech does not mean that we are required to say such things.  More importantly, we have a right to not listen passively. If there are no condemnations of such speech, if toxic hate does not have the consequence of marginalizing the speaker, if society accepts such speech without remark then that is a loss of rights, isn’t it? Those who say such things are emboldened to continue and even to ratchet up the rhetoric, and this venomous rancor seeps into our media, our homes, our schools, our friendships.

As Mohja Kahf said so beautifully in a recent article entitled ”A Letter to Your Beautiful Heart: Muslims are Your Family, Too, America”: “Pious Christian and Jewish values are not inherently in conflict with American civic life, as secular folk tend to forget. Devout immigrant Muslims don’t belong? That ship has sailed. Miles Muhammad Standish and Harriet Halima Tubman are here. Not as strangers out of place, either. This is a letter to your beautiful heart: We are your blood.”

Call it what you wish...it’s still the truth. If you find yourself intellectually in agreement with the above, perhaps you will share this with your friends. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country.