Polarization No More

970 words

Questions About Islam. Or questioning the framed questions about Islam.

Source: Adam Soltani

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Here is the controversial questionnaire Rep Bennett issued to Muslims visiting the OK state capital on Muslim Awareness Day.

“The sunna of Mohammed says that Muslims must be punished for leaving Islam. Do you agree with this?

“Mohammed was a killer of pagans, Christians and Jews that did not agree with him. Do you agree with this example?

“Mohammed repeatedly advised Muslims to deceive kafirs to advance Islam. The Koran has over 90 verses that say Mohammed is the perfect example for Muslims to follow. Do you follow the perfect example of Mohammed? Have you ever deceived a kafir?

“The Koran, the sunna of Mohammed and Sharia Law of all schools say that the husband can beat his wife. Do you beat your wife?

“Sharia Law says that it must rule over the kafirs, the non-Muslims. Do you agree with this?”

“I have heard that, according to accepted Islamic sources, Mohammed, at age of 49, married a 6-year-old girl, and that he had sex with her when he was 52 and she was only 9 years old. Is that really true?

“In December 1948, the United Nations passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which enshrines the most important values of Western Civilization such as freedom of religion, freedom from religion, freedom of conscience, equality of religions, and equality of men and women. It is a fact that not a single one of the 57 Muslim countries has accepted this Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Instead, all of the Muslim countries signed the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam which makes Islam superior to all other religions, and which explicitly makes sharia Law, the only source of human rights. What, exactly, is it about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which sharia law finds unacceptable?

“The Koran says: The unbelievers are your inveterate enemy. (4:101). The Koran also says that unbelievers are the “vilest of all creatures” (98:6) and “the worst of animals” (8:55). What hope is there of coexistence when Mohammed teaches practicing Muslims to have this attitude toward non-Muslims?

“A fundamental principle of Christianity and Judaism is the “Golden Rule” which says “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Yet, the Koran says: “Mohammed is God’s apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to unbelievers but merciful to one another.” (48:29) With this attitude, how can orthodox followers of Mohammed possibly co-exist with non-Muslims?”

Here is that controversial questionnaire reframed as if issued to Rep Bennett and his ilk “to provoke thought and conversation.” Seems the Golden Rule swings both ways.

Some followers of Trump say that Trump is using the political system to prove it is corrupt, and he therefore is the only one who can fix it although he doesn’t say how or when. Do you agree with this?

Trump took advantage of tax laws to avoid almost a billion dollars in taxes, which the rest of us must pay from our meager paychecks. Do you agree with this example?

Trump repeatedly deceives the public through his Twitter account. Trump, who now serves as a model for American conservatism, has tweeted over 90 times statements that are clearly false. Do you follow the moral example of Trump? Have you ever deceived the public?

Conservatism has long stood for family values. But many conservatives are loudly silent about Trump’s sexual exploits, turning a blind eye to reports of Trump cheating on his wife. Do you cheat on your wife?

Trump claims to be conservative but gets a free pass for being closer to Bernie Sanders on trade and other progressive issues. Do you agree with this?”

I have heard that, according to reliable press sources, Trump, a married man, boasted of being able to molest women because of his fame. Is that really true?

In September 1851, the United States government signed the Fort Laramie Treaty that guaranteed the traditional territorial claims of the Plains Indians, including the treaty land now being appropriated for the Dakota Access Pipeline. The very controversial pipeline Trump has pledged to see to completion, despite being in violation of this treaty that persists as law. It is a fact that all 500+ treaties with the original nations have been broken, and the bountiful resources fueling the American economy stem from these real estate violations, and in violation of conservative principles of national sovereignty. What, exactly, is it about honoring your word with the original inhabitants that you find so unacceptable?

The Bible warns:” Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” (Is. 5:20). The Bible also says that “Not many of you should become teachers” because such leaders get judged more strictly.” (James 3:1). What hope is there of coexistence between deceiver Trump and devout Christians who get co-opted to further Trump’s self-serving aims to ostensibly make American great again?

A fundamental principle in almost every faith is some form of the “Golden Rule” which says “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Yet, the Trump Administration ruthlessly stomps over others while complaining if anyone does anything similar in return. With this attitude, how can orthodox followers of the US Constitution possibly co-exist with “give-him-a-chance” Trump populists?

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NOTE: I am not opposed to conservatism; I do lovingly challenge "CINOs" who compromise conservatism by appearing as Conservative In Name Only, and erode conservative principles in ways that provide instant fodder for liberals and conservatives to perpetuate polarization at the people’s expense. I see political polarization rising as one of our most critical moral problem since all other problems get put on hold in the name of our “political” differences. We don’t have political differences as much as we have different needs that politicians and hacks co-opt for their own purposes. POLARIZATION NO MORE.

Steph

I am neither for nor am I against Donald Trump for U.S. President. I am transpolitical, and therefore opposed to any political behavior that lacks transparency and accountability to actual need outcomes. In fact, I’m working on a book from this transpolitical perspective, called Politics Defused, Moving Beyond Political Polarization, along with a complementary eCourse. This offers a glimpse of that out-of-body-politic perspective.