Did I miss something here, I thought we had FREEDOM of religion in this country am I wrong?

Question

New York Rep. Peter King, a prominent House Republican, said there are “too many mosques in this country” in a recent interview with Politico.

“There are too many people sympathetic to radical Islam,” King said. “We should be looking at them more carefully and finding out how we can infiltrate them.”


Excuse me Representative King I thought one of my country's bedrock principles was freedom of religion or did they change the law and I missed it?

He claims it his statement was "taken out of context" but I think this video shows it was not

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMydUdKtA_Q

Answer 1

This Representative wrong on two fronts:



First, he falsely assumes that there is a lot of sympathy towards radical Islam here in this country so therefore, in his view, we should not infiltrate such radicals themselves, but those who supposedly "support" their views or, at the very least, support their RIGHT to freely express that view. Not only that, but he also believes that most or all Muslims here in the US are "radicals," which is, of course, nonsense.



Second, he has little idea of the actual number of mosques in the US. Even though Islam has spread rapidly across other parts of the world, its growth here in the States is relatively slow. He offers no credible evidence to back up his assertion. Even if he was factually correct, there is something called "freedom of religion." He is really shooting himself in the foot; as his lame attempt to retract/revise his statement shows.



"He didn't, therefore he is not infringing their rights in any way, he is just stating an opinion, which he is free to do..."



Yes, and it's also our right to refute and counter such foolish statements with our own opinions. How is our refutation of such remarks an "infringement?"

Answer 2

I do not agree with King's statement that too many people are sympathetic to radical Islam. Of course, U.S. citizens aren't sympathetic to radical Islam because they fear that those people who practice radical Islam are a danger to our country's security. I believe many Americans are sympathetic to Muslims who are simply trying to practice their faith in the U.S but cannot because of the "radical" facet that has created fear.



One of the problems is is that Islam is not just a religion in some countries. These countries based their laws on the tenets of the Islamic religion.



While many countries have a majority of people who practice one religion (i.e. Christianity in the United States) the legal system is not based on the tenets of the religion. We have a separate of church and state.



In the 1950s, the United States passed a law that made the practice of Communism illegal. Communism is a form of government - as Islam can be. It is a difficult situation and doesn't not have a simple answer.

Answer 3

I also believe in the concept of freedom of religion in this country. The only problem I have is when the religion that has been given the right to develop here is trying to force out all other religions other than itself through government because it offends their religion is the greater wrong,not only to the people of this country but to what it was founded on.This religion also does not allow them to follow our laws, as they are not of their book. The fact that YOU will be regarded as an infidel in your own home and should be eliminated for being an infidel, is also not right. If they of this religion had not destroyed their own countries through their religion, they would still be there. How long before you lose your rights as a Christian

Answer 4

I agree that our country was founded on freedom ,religious and otherwise. I further agree that if we want our religious freedom honored, we must honor ours, as well. However, having a mosque built so close to ground zero ( considering that the attack of 9/11 was at the hand of radical Muslims- not all Muslims are) It just feels very much like a slap in the face; even a mocking jesture. Surely, this mosque could be build across town.

Answer 5

Yes freedom of religion and yes your excused for thinking radical Islam is a religion, it on the same level as the KKK and hides under the cloak of the Mosques as they preach hate and destruction for any one that does not believe as they do....



I think we should watch them and if need be spy on them for our own safety, Peter King hit it dead on the nail to bad he has to say it " taken out of context"....



Islam is very radical to the point of cutting off a woman head just for not being a good wife, or having special police patrol who beat women for having the vials off or talking to another man, it crazy and sick, the next thing you know we will have suicide boomers in our country....

Answer 6

Further proof that anti-muslim bigotry is widespread in the US. Alot of ignorant conservatives believe that all muslims are islamists, when it's a small minority that do. They openly endorse spying on and harassing all American muslims, yet they would feel outraged if those same things were done to christians. Although christianity isn't violent at this time for the most part, there are alot of evangelists who openly engage in fraud and tax evasion and commit other crimes.



This bigotry was a big reason why most Americans supported the invasion of Iraq despite the fact that there was no evidence that the war needed to be started.

Answer 7

Question: What is the Mapping Shari’a in America Project?



Answer: The Mapping Shari’a in America Project is the first effort in the world to map and index the threat to a country, in this case the US, from the observance, teaching, and preaching of Islamic Law or Shari’a.



Question: How will the Mapping Shari’a Project be accomplished?



Answer: A team of seasoned intelligence and counter-terrorism experts and Islamic scholars (Arabs, Christians and Jews), many of whom are fluent in Arabic, Urdu, and Farsi, will go to the 2300+ mosques and associated day schools around the country as guests, invitees and members of the public and collect empirical data including the names of the religious and lay leadership, make covert audio and visual recordings where legally permitted, collect written literature, photographs, and personal contacts, etc.

....................

Synopsis: On 18 May 2007, Dir. Dave Gaubatz visited Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia, one of the larger mosques in the greater D.C. area, with another Mapping Shari’a field researcher.



Analysis: Yusuf Estes is a Jihadist. He is actively engaged in dawa to convert as many Muslims and non-Muslims to the way of Jihad and the political ideology of Islamic hegemony, all of which is intended to lead to the destruction of the U.S. as a constitutional republic.

Answer 8

Where did the representative ever propose to outlaw Islam? He didn't, therefore he is not infringing their rights in any way, he is just stating an opinion, which he is free to do.



If you don't know the difference between one person's opinion and a law, then you are not very smart.

Answer 9

Well In the latest video Bin Laden said Quote: "Your mistake, he tells Americans, is that "you have separated church and state." The way out of this problem is conversion to Islam."

Answer 10

When your fighting against an ideology that has many dangerous (not all but many) followers, infiltration is needed...he didn't say shut it down or deny it's believer's. he said infiltrate. If it were any other religion who had a large group of radicals declaring war on us, along with many quiet supporters, they would attempt to infiltrate that religion as well. The people are still free to worship...they will just be monitored. As it should be.

Answer 11

O.K., I'll explain it to you. Freedom of religion means freedom to worship or not worship in accordance with the nations laws under the constitution. I'm sorry, but the constitution does not protect the right to kill innocent people for not believing in your religion or supporting people who do. It's just that simple.

Answer 12

We are at war with Islamic terrorist, and there are mosques being built in our country at an alarming rate. Do you think the Japanese would hve been able to build a Shinto shrine here during World war 2?

Answer 13

Freedom of religion in this country appears to be:

you can freely choose from any christian denomination.

Answer 14

I think Janis Joplin said it best when she said: “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose”

Answer 15

Freedom of religion means freedom of ALL religion, whether Peter King likes it or not.

Answer 16

Well, I think the point of Mr. King's sentiment is that people worry so much about having Christianity "shoved down their throats" (which it never has been) that they are allowing Islam freedom in this country denied to Christians...Islam is a violent religion, not a peaceful one, and that is going to come home to roost one of these days.

Answer 17

We do. If nutcases like King ever managed to get a statute passed to implement his mindlessness, even THIS supreme court would strike it down. But I doubt that any such bill would even be referred to committee, let alone make it to the floor for a vote.

Answer 18

They should be able to practice their religion, but regardless of the religion if it incites violence it should be investigated. Let's face it...all of the terrorists have been Muslim. If they have nothing to hide...then what is the big deal?

Answer 19

I was waiting for him to say all the Muslims ahould be deported.



Edit-

There sure are alot of Christian Churches in my neighborhood - off the top of my head

Catholic 2

Presbyterian 3

Episcopalian 1

Jehovah's Witness 1

Mosques- 0

Answer 20

to me, you can be a muslim or islamic only if you don't kill me because I'm not muslim you desert rat.

Answer 21

Wow, good old fashioned discrimination. Instead of attacking Muslims for POSSIBLY being radicals, why not just attack radicals in general? You don't have to be Muslim to be a radical, I encounter Christian radicals daily.

Answer 22

Sounds as if he missed the mark in his statements, whoops.

Answer 23

You have freedom of religion as long as it is a form of Christianity.



This is so wrong.

Answer 24

Now your kids will pray in school, and I'll make sure they're Christian too.

Answer 25

America is a Christian nation, like it or not- You WILL worship Jesus!!!!

The day will come when athiests will be held accountable for poisoning America's children