Can a Good Christian Be a Good American? - updated 1/17/2014

Sheila Musaji

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Can a Good Christian Be a Good American?:  Response to Can a Good Muslim Be a Good American

by Sheila Musaji


NOTE:  7/10/2011: On clicking on the link to this article, I discovered that when it was updated on 6/15/2011, somehow everything except the introduction was lost.  The rest of the article has disappeared.  I have no idea how this happened, and if anyone can locate a screen capture of the original article, I would be grateful.  For now, here is some basic information from others who have responded to this email.


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. 


RESPONSES

Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina answered the questions raised in this email from the perspective of an American Muslim

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 patriotism.


Scripturally, no. Because his allegiance is to the five pillars of Islam and the Quran (Koran). Geographically, no. Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.

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.


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.


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.

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.

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.


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.

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.


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.

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.

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 others.

Dr. Bahar Bastani also responded from the point of view of an American Muslim:

... No such thing as a Muslim American.  Have you ever thought—Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and a loyal citizen? Is Muslim American really an oxymoron? Consider this:

The same question can be asked of all devout Christians and Jews.  Can they be an American patriot and a loyal citizen, while being faithful?  My answer is yes for the followers of all faiths.

Theologically, no. Because his allegiance is to Allah.

“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.

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

This is a misquotation and merely a lie.  The verse “Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam,… (3: 19)”, is talking about the generic Islam, since the word Islam literally means “Submission to God”.  Thus, the only faith acceptable to God is submission to Him.  Moreover, the Quran says that, “Surely those who believe (in Islam) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians (followers of John the Baptist), 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)”.

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 God, and that Mohammad is a messenger of the God; To perform daily prayers; To fast; To do regular charity; And to do pilgrimage to Mecca once in lifetime.  I wonder how these beliefs interfere with ones good citizenship. As if believing in Jesus or the Holy Sacrament or Trinity would contradict ones patriotism.

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??

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

The Holy Quran has forbidden Muslims to allow Christians or Jews to be in charge of them (the word “Vally” has been used).  However, it has never forbidden friendship and kindness to them.  The history of Islam shows that Christians and Jews were always respected and well received in the Muslim lands.  Moreover the Quran says, “Allah does not forbid you respecting (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, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice.” (60: 8)  Allah only forbids you respecting (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, that you make friends with them, and whoever makes friends with them, these are the unjust. (60: 9)”

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

This is another lie.  In Islam one can only follow his/her conscience, the truth, and God.  There are no intermediaries between us and God.  The Quran says, “And follow not that of which you have not the knowledge; surely the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of these, shall be questioned about that.” 17:36 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.

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

In the harsh environment that women and orphans could not survive on their own, the Holy Quran ordered that people have to take care of the orphans, and if in the process of taking care of them some problems would arise they were permitted to marry their mothers.  The whole purpose of this permission was protection of the widows and their children in the society.  Moreover, if a wife would commit indecencies the husband was told to first admonish her, then avoid her, and if she continued with the indecency to punish her.  In a society that a man would have easily killed his wife for committing indecency this was a very calming dawn order.  These orders should be seen in the context of the socioeconomics of its time and environment.

One may argue that Christians and Jews who believe in the Holy Bible can not be loyal citizens either, because 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 its time and environment.

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

This is an absolutely a false statement. The Holy Quran clearly says “There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Satan and believes in Allah, he indeed has laid hand on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.” (2: 256)  One should be reminded that during the dark ages in Europe when intellectuals and dissidents were burned, and religious intolerance and inquisition courts were common practice in the West, the Muslim World was the safe haven for the intellectual Christians and Jews.  Democracy and any form of government that is based on justice in compatible with Islam.  I agree that most of the current Muslim Governments, very similar to the Medieval Europe, are dictators and autocrats.

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 Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran’s 99 excellent Names.

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”.

Therefore after much study and deliberation…perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country.

I believe we should all pray that The Merciful God give some sense and wisdom to all self righteous bigots whether they are right wing Christian, Muslim or Jew, and save us and our country from this dangerous species.

They obviously cannot be both “good” Muslims and good Americans. Call it what you wish…it’s still the truth.

All good Muslims, good Christians, good Jews, and good human beings can be good Americans, and if they can’t, then may God save this country.  The more who understand this, the better it will be for Our country and Our future.  The more people know the different forms of bigotry, prejudice, and arrogance the safer will be our country.

Ken Watts wrote an excellent commentary on this email Ten Reasons a Good Christian Can’t Be a Good American.  Read the entire post, but here are his first two points:

“Theologically - no. . . Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon God of Arabia.” 

So we’re supposed to believe that an American who happens to worship Allah cannot have any allegiance to the United States.  Notice the cute little “moon God” phrase, designed to make Islam sound primitive.  And notice the mention of Arabia, intended to make Islam sound foreign.  It’s all very nicely done, if you’re a fan of propaganda, but there’s a big problem buying into this nonsense if you’re a fan of common sense. 

The problem?  Ask yourself whether a good Christian can be a good American, then consider the following response:

Theologically - no. . . Because his allegiance is to Yahweh, The star God of ancient Israel.  See the difficulty? Yahweh, the God of Christians, was originally the national God of Israel, and was originally one of the “stars of El”.  And Yahweh is still the God of Israel. 

But do you really believe, for a moment, that that means a Christian can’t be loyal to the United States?  Of course you don’t, and the reason is that you know some Christians, and you know from experience that for most of them religion is one thing and patriotism is another.

A real-life Christian, like a real-life Muslim, does not get his or her God confused with his or her country. 

Are there some Christians in America who don’t think this way, whose religious loyalty would allow them to break laws, even kill fellow Americans?  Of course there are.  And they have been known to assassinate other American Christians.  But they are a tiny minority, and not any more representative of the average good Christian than an Islamic terrorist is representative of the average good Muslim.

...  Religiously - no. . . Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah Except Islam (Quran, 2:256)(Koran

Sounds pretty intolerant, right?  But…  Can a good Christian be a good American?

Religiously - no . . . Because no other religion is accepted by his God except Christianity.  Again, common sense.  Every religion thinks that it is the only true religion.  As Tommy Smothers said, it’s the one doctrine all religions share—that theirs is the only truth.

But American Christians manage to live every day in this country—which believes in the freedom of all religions—without any major conflict, and so do American Muslims.  There’s absolutely no reason to think that the average Muslim takes his religion, or his devotion to God, more seriously than the average Christian does—or more politically.  We are, after all, members of the same species.  ...

Mr. Watts goes through each of the points of this email with the same common sense approach.  Points 2 through 7 here, and 8 through 10 here.

Dennis Diehl also wrote an article Can A Good Muslim Be a Good American?:  Ask a Good Christian Fundamentalist which covers the points raised in the email

Recently someone came up with an explanation as to why someone of the Islamic faith cannot possible be a good American. This is in response to that ignorance. The writer asks “Can a good Muslim be a good American?” In doing so, he sets himself up for a fall.  “Consider the following:” And of the Christian Fundamentalist, consider the following as well.

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

And of the Christian Fundamentalist…Theologically- NO Because his allegiance is to God, the Sun God of Egypt. This is why God is Most High (At Noon), Jesus can be seen as an archetype Son of the Sun God and the Gospels are the account of a one year trip of the Sun Jesus through the signs of the Zodiac, and I ain’t kiddn! The origin all gods in the human psyche is the SUN and all that it does for humans. This is why in the Old Testament it says in Malachi that the “sun will rise with healing in his wings,” which is statement about the messiah to come. In Revelation, Jesus is also called the “son of the morning star,” which of course is the SUN, or the Planet Venus depending. Long story. Don’t sweat Allah the moon god.

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

And of the Christian Fundamentalist…Religiously- NO Because “there is no other name under heaven, (Jesus) by which a man can be saved. There is one true Christian Church and whoever believes on the name of the Lord..Jesus Christ, shall be saved, while others are condemned. Fundamentalist Christians do NOT accept any other religious beliefs as valid to theirs, so no difference here.

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

And of the American Fundamentalist…Scripturally NO because his allegiance is to the Ten Pillars of Christianity, which they tend to modify according to the need, and the Bible, which is neither always historically accurate nor inerrant, no matter what they say! There is nothing in America that says you have to be a Bible believing Christian to be a true American. It is freedom of religion here…all religions. If Fundamentalists have their way, we might all want to amend the Bill of Rights to say “freedom FROM religion.”

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

And of the American Fundamentalist…Geographically No because his mental allegiance is to Jerusalem, Israel and the Holy Land at least twice a week, about which they talk all the time as if they have ever been there, know the real history of, or think they would be welcome. Millions of Christian Americans have a soft spot for Rome too…

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

And of the Christian Fundamentalist…Socially NO because his allegiance to Christianity forbids him to make friends with “the world” (love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, whoever loves the world, the love of the father is not in him.”) Paul cursed the Jews in the New Testament, and hoped they’d cut their private parts if they wanted to be circumcised. Martin Luther , a Christian, taught they should be killed like pigs. Lots of places in NT tell the church to have no relationships outside the church. including not being “unequally yoked with unbelievers.”

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

And of the Christian Fundamentalist…Politically No because he must submit to the ministry, ( “obey those that have the rule over you, {ministers}, for they watch out for your souls”). Many Fundamentalist Christians teach and hope for the annihilation of everyone outside of Israel. Christians often attribute anything against them as of the Great Satan Christian fundamentalists call Roman Catholicism, the Great Whore, so don’t sweat someone calling America or Washington the Great Satan. Paul cursed anyone who did not believe his true gospel and called the people of Crete, liars. Jesus is said to have said the Pharisees were “of your Father the Devil.” Name calling envoking the name of Satan to define the enemy is a fundamentalist art form. It’s what you do when you are afraid of the unknown.

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

And of the Christian Fundamentalist…Domestically no because a fundamentalist Christian is instructed to marry only one which is his property, but cannot talk in church and can only ask her husband bible questions at home. A christian believes if you “beat (spank)a child with a rod, it won’t kill him.” Fundamentalist Christian women are to keep silence in the church, obey their husbands as unto the Lord, and call him “Lord” as did Sarah (all in NT). They are to give him sex as a part of her duty and submit. The Koran and the Bible sprang from the same culture, which few Fundamentalist Chrsitians realize or think about. In many respects the Taliban are to the Koran what the Fundamentalist Christians are to the Bible. PS…Lots of Fundamentalist Christian men abuse their wives with the word.

“Intellectually - no. Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.”

And of the Christian Fundamentalist…Intellectually no, because he can’t accept that the American Constitution was NOT predicated on founding fundamentalist, Old Covenant believing Fathers. I would not use the word “intellectual” with Christian fundamentalists either, as critical thinking or the examining of evidence that runs contrary to their established belief system is not encouraged. This was called the Dark Ages in the European past.

“Philosophically - no. Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran do not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist.”

And of the Christian Fundamentalists…Philosophically no because Christianity, Jesus and the Bible do not allow freedom of religion if you take the Old and New Testaments as the only way to be or literally enforceable in our culture today. Fundamentalists look to the commands of “God” in the Old Testament, to kill unbelievers, just as much as they think Islamics do in reading the Koran. Fundamentalist would only tolerate Christian values, which can be atrocious at times, and morality, which can be appalling. True Democracy and Biblical Christianity cannot co exist either. Someone would insist on someone else losing their rights to free thought. “My Kingdom is not of this world, if my kingdom was of this world, then would my servants fight,” said Jesus in Matthew. No military solutions were encouraged by Jesus unless there was only one sword per 12 disciples allowed. Turn the other cheek, Love your enemies, don’t slay them. Christian Fundamentalism is a good example of the mess you get when you mix Old Testament politics with New Testament sentiments, thinking it takes both to make up a proper Christian text. It’s old wine in new wineskins.

“Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.”

And of the Christian Fundamentalist…Every Christian Fundamentalist government is either dictatorial or autocratic too. This statement shows the ignorance of whoever made it up. The Christian Kings of Europe didn’t do to badly in the dictatorial or autocratic department, and might we mention the Popes?

“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 heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in The Quran’s 99 excellent names.”

And of the Christian Fundamentalists…Spiritually no because the God and Jesus of the Book of Revelation drowns the world in blood, plagues, signs, trumpets, vials and slaughter. The Christian Jesus is loving but no one does what he really says as it really is too hard. The Christian God the father is absent mostly, but is angry, jealous, and is patterned after the war gods of paganism every bit as much. I suggest a good read of Karen Armstrongs. History of God. The Fundamentalist Christian God is ‘loving” only to the degree you obey and fall in line. If not, you are toast just as with any other “god” The Jesus of the Gospels is NOT the same being in the book of Revelation. The fundy Jesus comes back with a Rod of Iron to threaten and beat the poop out of those that don’t obey and love God #1 the father and God # 2 himself…we won’t get into God #3. Monotheism is basically divisive by nature, even if the one God is three, co-this and co-that.

“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.”

And of Christian Fundamentalists..Therefore after much study and deliberation..perhaps we should all be very suspicious of ALL, and I Mean ALLLLLLLL Christians in this country. They obviously can’t be both good Christians and Good Americans. Call it what you will, it’s still the truth.

Side note: Whoever actually came up with this ignorant and insane list of reasons why an Islamic cannot be a good American is deluded, ignorant, self absorbed, mistaken, misinformed and the reason we’ll end up with nothing but a sanitation problem to fix and where will we be then? Actually they are FunnyMentalists, which was nicely coined by someone recently.

“If you find yourself intellectually in agreement with the above statements, perhaps you will share this with your friends. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.”

Actually if you find yourself in agreements with the above statements about why a Muslim cannot be a good American, you will have to also conclude that neither can a good Christian fundamentalist be one.


UPDATE 12/22/2013

It is difficult to believe that nothing seems to put such bigoted email propaganda campaigns to rest.  This ridiculous email seems to be once again making the rounds.  Jerry Davich of the Chicago Post-Tribune received a copy of the latest incarnation of this email, and wrote a great response which included this:

...  So where do I begin to respond? First, by reminding him and others with like-minded opinions that the same fear-based, bigoted prejudices have been hurled at every ethnic group that has immigrated into our gated community.

Second, whether we like it or not, by 2025 more than half of all children in this country will be minorities. By 2040, our country will brim with 400 million people, half of them minorities and many of them Muslim-Americans.

And by 2050, the U.S. will become a “minority-majority,” making non-Hispanic whites (such as myself and, I’m guessing, Van Gundy) the new minority, statistically speaking.

This is the emerging reality facing our country and all the fearful, regurgitated rhetoric in the world won’t stop it from happening. This includes the mindless “cut, paste and forward” email-mindset that often transmogrifies into a firestorm of blind ignorance.

“Our country is falling apart and it’s (expletive) me off and making me sick,” said another reader, Michael H., a Gary native who left me two voicemail rants on this issue.

“I love this country and I may sound like a hater because I am a hater. I hate where our country is headed. No more appeasing minorities like the Muslims, they can go to hell. They’re trying to take over and I don’t like it.”

Sure, I have my prejudices, too — for instance, against hypocrites who misconstrue patriotism with nationalism and ignorance with arrogance. But I also have faith in two fundamental truths about our country.

First, immigrants won’t change America as much as America will change those immigrants. History has proved this time and again, regardless of ethnicity or point of origin.

Second, our constitutional order has remained relatively intact and we have to remain faithful that this country will survive regardless of who comprises “Americans.”

The question we should be asking ourselves is this: Can a good American be a good humanitarian?


UPDATE 1/17/2014

This email is again making the rounds after Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema made a Facebook posting.  CAIR reports: “Agema recently posted on his Facebook account: “Have you ever been to a Muslim hospital? Have you heard a Muslim orchestra? Have you seen a Muslim band march in a parade? Have you witnessed a Muslim charity? Have you seen Muslims shaking hands with a Muslim Girl Scouts (sic)? Have you seen a Muslim Candy striper? Have you ever seen a Muslim do anything that contributes positively to the American way of life?”

Perhaps Dave Agema needs to read TAM.  He might consider the information found in these articles:
Good News Stories About/By/For North American Muslims for the years 2013, 2012, and 2011. 
HISTORIC EVENTS AND PEOPLE THAT SHAPED THE AMERICAN MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Muslims are a part of our American heritage

Most importantly, he should consider why Islamophobia no longer questioned - even by some of our elected representatives, and why it is so important that American Muslims must defend the Constitution of the United States since those same misguided elected representatives need to be reminded about the contents of that document.


SEE ALSO:

Rebuttal http://www.poormartin.com/2007/06/can-good-muslim-be-good-american.html

Response http://mediamattersaction.org/emailchecker/200912010004

Response http://throwingstones.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/can-muslims-be-good-americans/

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