It’s a bit contradictory to complain about the problem of Islam in one breath and in another, criticize a man like Virgil Goode for offering up a very valid solution. But having read your reader’s comments, I see that you are only singing to your chorus.

Unlike Islam, Christianity does not have a “take over the world and replace all laws of man with the laws of the Book” mentality.

I live among lots of fundamentalist Christians and I can assure you that “take over the world and replace all laws of man with the laws of the Book” is exactly how many (not all I admit) of them think. All the rhetoric about a “Christian Nation” is aimed at least somewhat in that direction, IMO.

The problem does seem to be considerably worse in the Islamic world. I’ve been aware of Sharia law for about forty years now, when I was in high school my mother had a book relating the bad treatment of women in Islamic cultures and it had considerable information on Sharia law.

From what I understand, some of the more barbaric customs such as female genital mutilation are cultural rather than strictly Islamic.

The spread of theocracy is a troubling question indeed. From my perspective, Bush returning calls for jihad from Muslims with a call for crusade from Christians was an amazingly stupid error, all it did was further inflame moderate Muslims and drive more of them into the arms of the fundamentalists who seem to be the enemy.

What the answer might be, I have no clue, but I really don’t think that military force is going to be the be all and end all solution to Islamic fundamentalism. In fact, I think that over reliance on military force is going to be counterproductive in the long run.

When the only tool you know how to use is a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail.

Correct, but not absolutely correct. Anybody of any religious faith can’t help but let it influence their politics. We are talking a matter of degree, though, and not just a few degrees.

Unlike Islam, Christianity does not have a “take over the world and replace all laws of man with the laws of the Book” mentality. Laws of the Western/Christian nations do not, for example, outlaw dissin’ your Mom and Dad, fantasizing about your neighbor’s wife or deciding not to be Christian any more. Yet those are three of the primary ten “Thou shalt nots” that the Judeo/Christian God gave to man.

Well done.

… unless his religion largely influences his policies, which is a major charateristic of Islam. It’s not just a religion. It’s a philosophy of life that must be applied in all circumstances, inside or outside the Mosque, inside or outside the halls of government.

Hmm.. Like Christianity doesn’t influence the policies of those who subscribe to it? Christianity is not “a philosophy of life”? Better let the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists know about that, not to mention the Quakers.

Abortion.
Stem Cell Research.
Religious Symbols and Documents in Public Places.
Prayer in the Schools.
Anti-Gay Marriage Amendments.
Tax Monies Funneled to Religious Organizations.
Christian Chaplains in Congress.(on the taxpayer dime)
Religious Discrimination in Land Zoning.
(the last is probably going to be used aginst muslims though)
Tax Monies Going to Religious Schools. (school vouchers)
Official “Jesus Day” Proclaimed in Texas. (guess who)

If Ellison wants to be judged on his merits, then let’s put his values to the test. Does he want to put limits on press and expression that offends religious sensibilities? Does he want every airport to have a special prayer room for Islamic prayers? Would he vote for a bill requiring that all public schools receiving federal grants serve halal-only meals? If he’s going to be in Congress for the next 15-20 years, he’s going to have to address these kinds of questions, and people in his district will have the right to judge him accordingly.

“…his religion shouldn’t enter into the debate.”

… unless his religion largely influences his policies, which is a major charateristic of Islam. It’s not just a religion. It’s a philosophy of life that must be applied in all circumstances, inside or outside the Mosque, inside or outside the halls of government.

I agree with Goode. I’ll continue to apply a religious test when I vote, but only for Muslims.