Swamppundit

Dear Salam,

I am going to make a statement that is overly simplistic, and therefore not fully accurate, but, at its core, is true.

In America, politics and religion are separate subjects.

I used to think this separation said a lot about Americans. Thinking about you Salam made me realize that is says a lot about Christianity.

American freedom can accommodate plenty of religions other than Christianity. The question is how many religions can accommodate American freedom.

Here is a simple test, Salam: The followers of every religion would like more and more people to adopt the religion as their own. Followers of every religion would be thrilled to have the entire world recognize their religion as the one, true, religion. Wanting the person next door to join the religion is universal. The test is: what methods does the religion promote to achieve the universal goal? And equally important, what methods does the religion promote to prevent current followers from leaving the religion?

If the answer to both questions does not involve violence or any kind of physical coercion, then that religion can accommodate American freedom.

Everytime I see a woman in a black head scarf I have the same thought. If she is wearing the scarf as a voluntary sign of humility and obedience to her God, then the act of wearing the scarf is ennobling and worthy of respect. If, however, she is wearing the scarf as act of obedience to a man, or men, who would punish her in some way if she did not wear the scarf, then the act of wearing the scarf is sad, demeaning, upsetting, and wrong. It is an act worthy of pity for the woman, and worthy of disdain for the man, or men, who control her. It is perfectly proper for a male cleric to preach that a woman should wear the scarf as a sign of humility and obedience to God. It is fundamentally wrong for the cleric to advocate beating the woman if she fails to wear the scarf.

That leads me to another simple test for whether a religion is ready for American freedom. Does the religion permit equality? Are all human beings equal? Can anyone, and everyone, join? And if they do join, are they equal members?

Salam, if your Islam meets these two tests, you and your Islam are welcome to come to America; and you and your Islam have nothing to fear from the U.S. military wherever you are.

If your Islam does not meet these two tests, Salam, I urge you to either change your Islam, or leave your Islam. If your Islam does not meet these two tests, it is incompatible with the modern world, and is in conflict with the tide of history.

Must you convert to Christianity? Personally, I would prefer it, but no. The future is not about Christianity; and it is not about America; the future is all about freedom. I am not saying you “must” do anything. I am just giving you something to think about.

As always,

Love,
Clarence