E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSSouth Dakota legislators this week overwhelmingly approved a law aimed at preventing Islamic law from creeping into its judicial system – a measure that supporters drafted in an effort to ward off the constitutional challenges threatening similar legislation in other states.
The measure, which is expected to be signed into law in the next two weeks by Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard, attempts to avoid legal shoals by barring enforcement of "religious code" by U.S. courts, rather than focusing on foreign laws as other state laws have done.
Nonetheless, civil rights advocates are vowing to challenge the bill, saying it violates the First Amendment. Beyond that, critics say the South Dakota bill and similar legislation in other states unfairly stigmatize Muslims by signaling that their religious beliefs are dangerous to society and may gradually undermine American democracy.
Shariah law is a code of conduct that guides observant Muslims on many matters, including prayer, diet, marriage, business transactions and inheritance. Decisions derived from its codes are incorporated in contracts and wills, which can in turn wind up in American courts, as do contracts and wills based on other religious beliefs.
Supporters of legislation to ban consideration of Islamic law point to what they consider abhorrent and un-American practices — honor killings, limited child custody rights for women, tolerance of domestic abuse and cruel punishments, such as cutting off the hand of a thief — as examples of activities that could be sanctioned if U.S. courts were to consider Shariah law before rendering decisions.
Critics note that these practices are already illegal under U.S. law.
South Dakota is one of about 20 states to consider legislation that would prevent courts from applying Shariah law.
The highest court to rule on an anti-Shariah law, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, in January agreed with a lower court that an Oklahoma law barring state courts from considering or using Shariah law was likely an unconstitutional infringement of freedom of religion and upheld an injunction against its enforcement. The law was approved by more than 70 percent of Oklahoma voters via a November 2010 ballot initiative.
Civil rights organizations are growing concerned amidst reports of a surge in hate crimes toward Muslims. NBC's Ameera David reports.
The Oklahoma amendment stated that: "The courts shall not look to the legal precepts of other nations or cultures. Specifically, the courts shall not consider international law or Shariah law."
In the last few years, some states have adopted measures that originally aimed at Shariah but were passed without much notice. Some of these statutes say -- essentially -- that illegal actions are against the law, said Gadeir Abbas, staff attorney for the Council on American Islamic Relations, a nonprofit civil rights group. As a result, while the intent of those laws may have been anti-Islam, they ultimately did not merit legal challenge, he said, because they don't really "do anything.'
The debate in South Dakota was largely about which version of anti-Shariah legislation would be most apt to stand up to a court challenge, not whether such a law should be adopted. Lawmakers, in fact, were quite blunt that it was Shariah that concerned them.
HB 1253, which passed 29-4 in the state Senate on Tuesday, is about as brief as they come -- one line: "No court, administrative agency or other governmental agency may enforce any provisions of any religious code," it reads.
'Growing demographic concern'
Gov. Daugaard’s general counsel Jim Seward testified that the bill served to "answer the question of the Sharia law" without being unconstitutional or interfering with business interests.
This bill was motivated by a "growing demographic concern in Sioux Falls," Seward said, referring to the influx of immigrants from majority Muslim countries.
"I would be less than fully honest with you if I didn`t also say that part of the purpose of (HB)1253 is to deal with what I am going to say generally has been referred to as Shariah law," Republican Rep. Roger Hunt, who sponsored the bill, said in a judiciary committee hearing.
"I don’t know that there will be anybody who will seek to enjoin it," Hunt told msnbc.com. "It codifies a couple of Supreme Court decisions."
One of the Supreme Court cases that Hunt embraces to bolster his argument involves a recent ruling on a dispute among members of a Hutterite colony in South Dakota.
The Hutterites are a branch of Anabaptists like the Amish or Mennonites who live communally. A lower court had dissolved their corporation, but the high court ruled that the decision required excessive entanglement in religious arguments where courts should not have jurisdiction.
But opponents of the South Dakota bill say that asking courts to judge what is religious code and what is not -- in order to decide what it can and cannot enforce -- is in itself unconstitutional.
"If HB 1253 were signed into law today, it would be a blatant violation of the Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment, Abbas said in a letter to Daugaard on Wednesday. "It would also communicate to the world that South Dakota does not welcome religious minorities."
The South Dakota bill does exactly what that Oklahoma legislation did, "albeit in a slightly more general manner," said CAIR’s Abbas, who was involved in the successful challenge to the Oklahoma measure.
"This law is obviously unconstitutional and a court challenge may be in the offing, if it gets signed," he said.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
Leave a Comment:
This PERVERTED nation and her IGNORANT citizens have NOT learned ANYTHING from europe, asia or canada. These WICKED islamic people come in like grasshoppers, then SWARM LIKE LOSCUSTS until they have such a strong hold, they cant be dislodged. It is islams LONE GOAL to DOMINATE THE PLANET. And those who REFUSE to comply...well, you will LOSE YOUR HEADS...WAKE UP.!!!!
Wait, wait, wait.. I stopped reading the article after a few sentences, does "The Separation of Church and State" not include other forms of worship? Why are we wasting our time drafting redundant rules to rile everybody up?
The laws of the US supercede the laws of religious freedom, point blank.
This is nothing but a bunch of anti-Muslim hysteria. Much ado about nothing!
Substitute the word Irish for Muslim and this could have been written 120 years ago. It made no more sense then.
That's just ignorant. Being Irish is not religious, being muslim is.
Thanks for collapsing my top comment. This shows 2 things. 1) how IGNORANT you truly are to whats happening here (proving my point) and 2) That you want even more people to read what i wrote, which is what collapsing by ignorant "sheeple" does:) Thank you.!!!
Speak for yourself, Kee Nok. I'm a proud Irishman inducted into the Holy Church of Spirits and take regular communion of Guiness and Irish Whiskey. How dare you deny my faith!
Problem; International law is recognized by all U.S., courts, do to treaty obligations, (wto, Nafta, favored nation, world court, etc.)we have signed so many treaty's , that the courts even have to examine the world court rulings(Hague); if a conflict of law question arising; we are very fast losing our status as a sovereign nation.
Preventive medicine...
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT Americans, MUST ADAPT... Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.'
'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'
'Most Americans believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'
VERY well said, wyriz.
Wyriz - right on! Say it again please for those that still cannot comprehend what you are saying.
It's a simple answer to the question: "Why do this?"
Because as you're trying like hell to drive your own religion into our laws, you had better make sure the others can't follow.
Oh Really??? Why can’t we just tell the TRUTH for a change?
Islamic Sharia Law in Brief
This is a very good article written by a FORMER muslim.
http://www.islam-watch.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=625:islamic-sharia-law-in-brief&catid=79:mirza&Itemid=58
Some common laws of “Islamic Sharia” which are regularly practiced in the Islamically ruled (Sharia-based) nations with some minor variations:
1- Jihad defined as “to war against all non-Muslims to establish the religion” is the duty of every Muslim and Muslim head of state (Caliph). Muslim Caliphs who refuse jihad are in violation of Sharia and unfit to rule.
4- A percentage of Zakat (alms) must go towards jihad.
9- A Muslim will be forgiven for murder of : a) an apostasy b) an adulterer c) a highway robber. Making vigilante street justice and honor killing acceptable.
10- A Muslim will not get the death penalty if he kills a non-Muslim.
12- Sharia dictates death by stoning, beheading, for sins like killing, adultery, prostitutions; and other Quranic corporal punishments like: amputation of limbs (chopping hands and feet), floggings, beatings and other forms of cruel and unusual punishments even for the sins like: stealing, sexual promiscuity, robbery, burglary etc.
16- Banks must be Sharia compliant and interest is not allowed.
19- Homosexuality is punishable by death.
20- There is no age limit for marriage of girls under Sharia. The marriage contract can take place anytime after birth and consummated at age 8 or 9.
With all the crap about women’s right to free birth control today, one would THINK this would be a more pressing issue!
Wait, wait, wait, this country was NOT founded on Christian Principles, it is clearly documented that the founding fathers did not want religon to have anything to do with government. PLEASE STOP CALLING THIS A CHRISTIAN NATION, You are wrong, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson would be spinning in their grave. Please read history, read their quotes, they Kept Religon out of the government for a Good Damn Reason. This article is one of them!
If this was founded as a Christian Nation the Constitiution would clearly show this. IT SHOWS THE OPPOSITE! The only occurrences of Religon in the Constitution is on EXCLUSIONARY TERMS!
Wyriz, the Native Americans have been asking you to leave for a long time now. Why don't you take their advice? Fact is, we're all immigrants to this country. The first to immigrate to this country came to escape religious persecution, not perpetuate it. So leave your Christian bigotry at home or go back to whence your ancestors came (assuming you're not Native American, which, I'm sure is a safe bet)
Muslims ARE dangerous to society. And they DO undermine American democracy. Read the Koran: what part of "Kill the infidel" don't you understand?
CAIR is nothing but a terrorist front. So is the Muslim Brotherhood.
For a lesson on Sharia Law, look at Britain- they let it in, and it's taking over, over there.
I wonder what would happen if somebody founded "the Church of the Unholy Christian " ; make it tenent of the Church to kill Muslims everywhere, enslave them, rape their women, keep them out of schools....if you like that kind of thing.
But then again- why bother? Just become a Muslim!
You are a kook, Branxoz. The Feds should be investigating YOU.
Wyriz,
"...Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation..." What a complete and utter load of Bullcrap ! Most of our Early Founders (like the Pilgrims) were trying to escape the very Christianity you seem to be applauding. Our Founding Fathers were mostly Deists who, while they believed in the idea of God, completely denied the nonsense in the Bible, Koran, or Torah. Better check your "facts" again.
And please remember that the Christians, Muslims, and Jews ALL worship the same Deity, whatever name it may go by. God, Allah, and Yahweh are the selfsame Being.
grinandbearit, the Native Americans of this country emmigrated from Asia as well according to anthropological studies. There are no true Native Americans.
A majority may believe in God, but in a thousand different religious versions, there is no agreement on even the basic religious principles. That is why the founders of the country realized that the only way to make a harmonious union of all the different believers is to keep the Government strictly neutral on religious issues, neither promoting nor restricting religious beliefs. And yes, that includes the right to not believe in any god.
There is no mention of God anywhere in the Constitution and it's amendments, nor are there any scriptural references. The only mentions of religion enforce that neutrality:
1. No religious test shall be required for any offfice of trust in the United States, and
2. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
Display all the religious references and scriptures and religious symbols you want in your churches and your private property, and nobody will have any complaints. But don't expect the Government to support your religious beliefs or to post your scriptures on any public properties.
Christianity is strong in the US precisely because it isn't propped up by the Government, religions here must stand on their own merits or perish. The quickest way to make your religion fat, lazy and ineffective is to make it the official religion and prop it up with government support.
outhere-576368
Wait, wait, wait, this country was NOT founded on Christian Principles, it is clearly documented that the founding fathers did not want religon to have anything to do with government. PLEASE STOP CALLING THIS A CHRISTIAN NATION, You are wrong, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson would be spinning in their grave. Please read history, read their quotes, they Kept Religon out of the government for a Good Damn Reason. This article is one of them!
This nation WAS founded on Christian principals by Christians fleeing oppression of religion (note spelling). The puritans were fleeing the oppression of the Church of England; a church set up by a king (Henry the VIII) and run by British the government. The First Amendment to the Constitution was to prevent such a church from being formed in in this country, Not to remove Christianity from our country. The Declaration of Independence clearly states
“…be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with…”
Read the Jefferson letters and you will get a better idea of what the founding fathers were after when they formed this nation. So, yes Outthere, as your name suggests you are out there, Sadly you are obviously very young and a product of the education system of the last 15 to 20 years that demonizes everything this Nation represents.
You have to have laws against the Muslims, they want to take over the world! Who would have ever thought that someone wants the "Ten Commandments' taken out of our courts and schools, or One Nation Under God" would be illegal! Now you know why they don't want people to have the right to carry guns! These clowns need to be shot!!!
Time for you and branxoz to break out with the "sheets and pillow cases". Just make sure you poke two holes in the pillow case, so you can see. I don't want you two setting yourselves on fire.
Ron you have it all wrong. There is good reason to have the Ten Commandments removed. Why because in the first place it violates the 1st amendment. Secondly if we allow your religion to creep into schools and government building whats to stop the 50 other religions to have the same right.
What a complete waste of time and resources.
It's South Dakota. Apparently they have nothing but time, and no resources.
Correct me if i'm wrong here but doesn't the constitution specificially state that there shall be no law above the constitution? I. E. established American legal codes are all that CAN be legally enforced within the jurisdiction of the constitution i.e. America?
Republicans are as dumb as spit. Didn't they lie their way into power in 2010 talking about all of the jobs that they were going to create? How many jobs are created by this and other useless legislation that these clowns have sponsored?
Wonder what else you use your left hand for besides picking your teeth?
You mean, like banning contraception, gay marriage, or abortion?
You said it Severed, my thoughts exactly!
Bottom line: If you reside in the United States of America, you abide by the laws of the United States and NOT some religious or other countries rules and laws.
For those who wish to abide by Shariah law, then obtain a ticket somewhere to a Middle East country and live there.
PERIOD !!!
I see no problem with this law. The US courts should be upholding US law, and only US law. A court should not be applying some religious law in deciding any court case. The courts should be upholding the laws of the applicable state and of the United States, period!!! And contrary to what some of the liberals on here would have you believe, this does not prevent anyone from drawing up their will any way they want. You can write your will to leave your possessions to anyone you want. What this law does do is keep someone from challenging the validity of that will by claiming it violates the principles of their religious Shariah law. It also stops someone from coming into court and asking that the possessions of a person who died without a will be divided up based on religious law instead of what state and federal law says. It ensures that any legal decisions are based on our laws, not those of some other culture, country, or a religion.
The dumbo's are going to get hoist on their own petard once the religious right figures out that the law excludes them as well.
But they'll argue that it doesn't, "because this is a Christian nation."
Well you know there is an election coming up. So when you have no ideas or solutions to the problems of the day, scare the heck out of the sheep. Has worked before and will work again.
Oh yea, where in the heck are all those jobs the mid-term elections were to bring to us?
The sad thing about Republicans is that Rick Santorum is whipping his clan into a fervor over what amounts to promises to make a similar Christian Sharia Law the rule of the land.
Vote in 2012...only YOU can prevent STUPID
I see no problem with it either, except that it's already implemented and frequently ignored by (as Ray and Severed remind us) the "Christian Nation" crowd. The US and its component states and judges are already bound by and to USCONS and that alone. Also, honor killings are already murders or similar crimes anyway.
In short, it's just (as mark said) "a complete waste of time and resources", with a side of hypocrisy.
Has anyone noticed the vague wording of the bill? "...any religious code." could mean many things. If someone in South Dakota tries to ban gay marriage because it's against the Bible, couldn't someone use this very bill to defeat that measure? In fact, you could use this bill to deny any law that's based on Christian principles because you can't enact a law based on 'any religious code.' I say pass it and watch the fun begin.
Law, Government and religion should NEVER be mixed. Ban or enshrine any religious belief into law and you force that belief on someone else. If say orthodox Jews want the eating of clams, shrimp, lobster made illegal because their book says god said it's a sin, would we? If they along with the Muslims wan to make eating pork illegal, would we? How about keeping the sabbath holy.? No Christian can work on Sunday, No Jew on Saturday and no Muslim on Friday? Fundamental Latter Day Saints and Muslims believe that polygamy is god's will, is it ok? How about Jehovah's Witnesses, they believe that blood tranfusions are wrong. Should we outlaw them? They also do not allow interracial marriages should they be made illegal again? The Old Testament says eye for a eye tooth for a tooth should Jews be allowed to kill your son because you killed theirs? This stupidity has been part of American life ever since the beginning. Founding Father Patrick Henry wrote a bill in Virginia that said you could join any church you wanted but you by law had to belong to a church and pay taxes to support it. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Statute of Religious Freedom to oppose it.
Hey now - those 6 muslims that live there are clearly seditious. After all - they wear scarves in the winter - this makes them potential terrorists. And they have dark skin. (whites that wear scarves are not strange).
You never know - all six might meet and conspire to take over the state... They might even run for office (oh no - elected muslims -- mobilize the National Guard). And if elected - they might commit the sacrilege of bringing common sense to the legislature.
Note for the morons out there: this posting is intended to be 'tongue in cheek' and sarcastic toward the legislators.
Ol Yellow, you asked "where in the heck are all those jobs the mid-term elections were to bring to us?" I believe they're with all those jobs Obama promised us.
The 10 commandments are a religious code. One is thou shalt not kill, ergo the gov't may not enforce restrictions against killing......ok....cool. Good wording there.
I am all for the banning of Sharia law, because it is totally against women. Everybody should research each nation that has more than 20% of its population that are practicing Muslims and ask: "How are those countries --- Lebanon is a great example ---- faring with a 20% or more Muslim minority?" Oh, that's right! Violence and laws against women! A totalitarian government! Just great! I can tolerate all religions but, excuse me, I do draw the line when women are killed by their families for not following Sharia law or when marriages are arranged against a woman's will, or when someone tells one how to dress. Have you noticed that when you see a Muslim couple,the man is wearing short sleeves and light pants in the hot sun while the woman is covered from head to toe with heavy fabric so that she doesn't "entice" the man? REALLY???? PLEASE!!!! If they don't like our laws,then they should not live here, period. We have never assimilated any other group of people in this country that follows a religion so violent as that of Islam. Okay, then you will try to say that not all Muslims are that way. Granted, it's true. However, I don't see these moderate Muslims challenging the extreme element that appear to be immigrating to our country in leaps and bounds.
I guess we know who these "civil rights advocates" are. Good thing there's a Republican Governor there to stand up against this crap.
I'm afraid the founders of our nation underestimated the ignorance of the future generations of libs who would think we could welcome, with open arms, everyone in and all hold hands and sing Kumbaya.
Hey Tex - It's already illegal to burn your daughter alive or stone your wife. But how would you feel if you couldn't write your will the way your cultural tradition says you should because it was included in so-called Sharia Law. Laws like the one in SD aim at the wrong target and often have many unintended consequences.
Just because a subset of people bring their traditions and practices to the United States doesn't mean it will automatically override the laws we already have, which themselves are based on traditions of English Common Law, Judeo-Christian tradition and the Magna Carta. What's illegal will stay illegal, what's not should be tolerated in a pluralistic society.
BTW, that's why we have Civil Rights in the first place - so I can smile and nod at your crappy traditions but don't have to adopt them myself.
Fatibel - San Antonio
You can not bend civil rights to suit your religious needs. Our constitution forbids religious laws to be enacted. Sharia law is a religious code.
If you want the law to reflect your beliefs then you need to go to a country that coincides with those beliefs. I myself am against abortion, but there's no way I could get that law changed just because I'm against it.
If you are against abortion then don't have one. OK?
Don't put YOUR religious beliefs off on everyone else, Ms. US Taliban (Janine)
Tex I hope you're not from my state. Your comments make you sound ignorant.
Why was my comment collapsed? Was it offensive?
Oh, I see...I didn't baaaah the correct opinion.
Greg, I'm more a Texan than you'll ever be.
You also happen to be a BIGGER MOUTH than Greg will ever be along with being more ignorant & uneducated
I was always taught that TEXANS were living proof of a relationship between Coyotes &....
never mind you wouldn't understand anyway, by the way your mother howled !
Funny that everyone whining about religious tolerance doesnt hold England and France and their HUGE populations of Muslims packed in ghettos as a strict example.
Its not that Muslims will change the entire country, just their part of the country like England and France where they practice Sharia among their communities, discriminate against women, hold large rallies condemning the very country they live in as well as the west while federal police forces are afraid to go in because they are welcomed with Molotov cocktails and rocks.
Please at least learn that the very people that want to embrace Muslims with open arms are the same people true Muslims want to eradicate first if they had a choice.
Wow, Mister Fids! Did I offend you somehow? I don't believe we know each other. It's clear from your comment that you don't know me, so it must be you who is the jackass here.
God bless you.
LOL. You go girl.
BTW I've never been collapsed. You can't say the same. Ha haha.
Greg...
This was my first time to be collapesd. If you are a real Texan, it won't be long before you speak your mind and are collapsed too.
Now, i'm not coaching baseball at the moment, so I really don't have anything in common that I can talk about with elevn year olds like you and Mister Fids.
Run along...
Yes I speak my mind. Sports coach..... That sounds about right.
Tired of it <<<<<>>>>> I am tired of U and your ilk. Would you say, "If you don't believe in wife or child abuse, then don't abuse your wife or child, but don't tell me I can't slap my wife around whenever I want or knock my kids across the room whenever I'm drunk or otherwise want to???"
It's ironic that South Dakota is working so hard to make sure no ideas from other religions are considered when writing laws, yet Daugaard and his Republican ilk want to make tenants of their own Christian faith into laws that everyone, regardless of their faith, has to follow.
A good idea is a good idea regardless of where it came from, and a bad idea is still a bad idea regardless of where it came from.
Well Einstein, what do you think Sharia is?
Well Einstein, what do you think Sharia is?
LOL, did you just say that? Too funny...
Cameron -- Which part of Shariah law do you consider a good idea that should be honored in the U.S. court system? The law that says that jihad is the duty of every Muslim? (That would allow them to shoot any American they wish from the comfort of their homes. "Nope, can't prosecute; he's just practicing Islam.")
How about the one that says it's perfectly acceptable to kill gay people? How about the one that allows you to marry and 8-year-old and consummate said marriage?
These people HATE us; it's their stated goal to make the whole world Islam. Are you aware that in London, which has a huge Muslim population, they posted signs saying that "Shariah law is in effect in this community." The British police took those signs down because they believe in the British system of law. The Muslim leader in London is intent on his followers having as many children as possible so they'll outnumber the British; he also has the reputation of being a very violent man.
Muslims won't have a tough time taking over the U.S., because liberals will throw the rest of us under the bus, whining that their Shariah law is part of their religion, so they should be allowed to live under it. Fine with me, until their practicing their religion results in breaking U.S. law.
"How about the one that allows you to marry an 8-year-old and consummate said marriage?"
Which is done by force. So rape is legal in Shariah law. There was a court case in the US where the judge up held a man's repeated forcible rape of his wife becasue it was Shariah law. Violating another person is not ok even with what ever higher power you beleive in.
There are many instances where a religion was not allowed to practice laws of their religion because it was in conflict wih the laws of the land. So no it's doesn't violate Muslims religious freedom if it doesn't violate other religious freedoms of other faiths. If you give into Muslims Shariah law you have to give into all other religions laws that conflict with the laws of the land.
"Muslims won't have a tough time taking over the U.S., because liberals will throw the rest of us under the bus, whining that their Shariah law is part of their religion, so they should be allowed to live under it."
Regardless of the fact that many Muslims left the Middle East to get away from Shariah enforcement (there are several Muslim cultures), liberals don't even want Christian laws placed on our shoulders, why the hell would we want the laws of another, more strict religion enforced? No, what they do amoung themselves, I don't care if it doesn't violate human right laws or force non-Muslims to follow them. If they do an honor killing, it's murder. If they marry an 8 year old girl to an adult, it's pedophilia. If they hold a wedding for someone who already has another wife, it's polygamy. They beat their wife or daughter because they dress immodestly, it's domestic violence. We have Constitutional law that keeps all religious laws from being enforced by the city, state or nation, so this is nothing but xenophobic mass hysteria and a waste of time.
This is not a discussion about Islam. It is a discussion about separation of Church and State. We do not allow polygamy, or human sacrifice. There are boundaries that all religious organizations must adhere to if they want to exist in the United States. In our country, women and children are supposed to be protected under the law. Religious dictates must be put aside. The laws of the USA must be practiced no matter what the religious affiliation.
I think I agree with this the most. It includes all religions, not just the unpopular ones.
There you are again with that damn screaming cat picture.
Alauda......
Well said. Maybe the Left can read and understand your post....but I doubt it.
@Greg: Just leaving my mark. c:
If the US decided to adhere to Muslim law, what about Hindu Law, or Jewish law? What if a Hindu and a Muslim go to court, whose law prevails? I want to have the laws of the United States followed, laws that were processed through United States legislatures and the will of the American people. Even in Muslim countries there is no consensus on which version of the law is the right one. maybe Lin Laden's version? Accepting Muslim law as the law of the land only opens a Pandora's box where honor killings are excusable, maiming thieves is the norm, and public beheadings for slandering a book are cheered.
i would agree with you, but in this country already Sharia law was used over US law. it happened in florida and one other place i cant remember, NJ i think.
it is real, dont push it by the way side, it has and will happen if it doesnt get stopped NOW!!
Citation?
please show us the reports from Florida and New Jersey in which sharia law took precedence over U.S law. I tried to find them but could not.
New Jersey Judge Rules Islamic
Sharia Law Trumps U.S. Law
creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/new-jersey-judge-rules-islamic-sharia-law-trumps-u-s-law
Judge orders use of Islamic law in Tampa lawsuit over mosque leadership
www.tampabay.com/news/courts/civil/article1158818.ece
The only part I agree with the Muslim's laws is cutting off the hand of a thief. He/she won't be a repeat offender. Other than that, our Country was founded and based on the law.
I'll loan you something and then call the cops and say you stole it. Since I'm good pals with the police chief, you can simply say goodbye to your hands!
Of course, I wouldn't do this to you...but someone else could. So you shouldn't agree with that part of the law either.
SallyAnn... I was about to say the very same thing. I am all for the hand chopping thing if the guy is found to be a thief. the other stuff... no, US law is all that gets enforced.
People are found to be not guilty of crimes down the road... you can't reattach their hands once they are chopped off.
It is interesting that the GOP forces in South Dakota and elsewhere rail against "Shariah" law but sure do love to quote Leviticus or Corinthians when wanting to deny gay and lesbian Americans their civil rights. What's the difference? They are both religious codes... but I guess to a RWNJ its OK to impose THEIR religious codes... just not allow others to impose something else.
For the record, I believe that American law on all levels should have no influence from religious codes of any ilk.
EXACTLY
In muslim countres being gay is a criminal offense subject to hanging. You think muslims care about civil rights ? Everyone should rail against Sharia law. If these people want Sharia law, they should stay in their own countries.
love you Kee Nok-its amazing that these people are trying to bring everything from there country to ours, and when it goes against them, then its against our consitution-go home
Well, the Bible says that homosexuals should be stoned to death. Would you like that incorporated into US law?
American Christianity has been under attack by Civil Liberties geeks(started in 1931 by a communist Marxist person) and and especially athiest where 1 person who does not believe can foist his or her belief on an entire community...The ten Commandments have been removed and banned....The Nativity has been banned in America. I read some time ago that foot basins were installed in public restrooms to accomodate the muslims. Why? If the do not like American rules...go back home...Americans would be killed if they went into Muslim areas and insisted on preaching the gospel or inflicting their ways upon the muslims. In fact, I believe there is a systematic purge of Christians in progress in Egypt and other countries taken over by the extreme muslim sects...We have allowed the Mexican invasion the past 50 years allowing millions to pour over our borders and giving preference to illegals over the citizens who have worked and been loyal to America....What the heck is going on in our old obsolete Congressf allowing these threats to America??????
@ severed head in a jar: For F sakes get with the program. I was commenting on EMDF9As' post. I never said anything about incorporating the bible into U.S. law. I really wish people with poor reading comprehension and/or attention deficit disorder would refrain from posting untill they are able to overcome their disabilities.
The Christian religions don't tell their followers that they should murder anyone who is not Christian -- not even homosexuals. What is wrong with you people who think that any group should be allowed to inflict the laws of their homelands on the free people of the United States? If you don't like this country, move! Move to a country where the law is Shariah ... they'll actually HAVE to kill you, but you'll be understanding, I'm sure, since they're only practicing their religion.
"American Christianity has been under attack by Civil Liberties geeks(started in 1931 by a communist Marxist person) and and especially athiest where 1 person who does not believe can foist his or her belief on an entire community...The ten Commandments have been removed and banned....The Nativity has been banned in America. I read some time ago that foot basins were installed in public restrooms to accomodate the muslims. Why? If the do not like American rules...go back home...Americans would be killed if they went into Muslim areas and insisted on preaching the gospel or inflicting their ways upon the muslims. In fact, I believe there is a systematic purge of Christians in progress in Egypt and other countries taken over by the extreme muslim sects...We have allowed the Mexican invasion the past 50 years allowing millions to pour over our borders and giving preference to illegals over the citizens who have worked and been loyal to America....What the heck is going on in our old obsolete Congressf allowing these threats to America??????"
Oh, really? When is enforcing the First Amendment an attack on Christianity? The "Civil Liberty geeks" is the very reason people have any rights, the very thing the Christian sepremists are trying to restrict. This is the very reason that the HUAC started targeting anyone who they thought was a Communist, even so they weren't affiliated with any known Communist government or organization. There is no ban on the 10 Comandments or the Nativity. If they are on private property or in a church, there is no law against them and no one really cares. If it's on goverment property, it's a violation of Church and State. If you bastards had your way, you'd be killing us for violating your beliefs, but you have no real power. The Muslim purge of Christians is no different than the Christian purge against everyone else they hate and if you @!$%#ers had your way, you'd be shooting the rest of us in the back of the head systematically, so don't give me that bull@!$%# that you're better than the Muslims.
This is America. We have American laws. We have a constitution. Are we going to let anyone change this to suit thier own puposes. If we do than we fail as a society and a country.
It has already happened in Minnesota. By law, Muslims get loans at no interest because their religion does not allow for payment of interest.
Source?
Research is your friend, Severed. As a hint, just look at the New Markets Mortgate program that was designed because Muslim/Shariah law does not allow for payment of interest.
Exactly Danno, it's obvious severed head has never had any experience with muslims or muslim countries. Learning how to Google would do him a world of good.
"It has already happened in Minnesota. By law, Muslims get loans at no interest because their religion does not allow for payment of interest."
How is this any different than the religious right organizations being able to rip off their foolish followers without having to pay a government tax on their profits?
"honor killings, limited child custody rights for women, tolerance of domestic abuse and cruel punishments,". All of the above are NOT mentioned in the Koran. However, the 'cutting off of the hand of a thief" is mentioned in the Koran. Interesting concept... A thief loses his hand.... Might not be able to steal again....
I'll have to think about this a bit more...
The Bible says its OK to take "and eye for an eye", so we should outlaw any "Christian laws" as well. RIGHT?
The Bible and the Koran follow along on the same lines in most situations. After all Jews and Muslims came from the same founder. It's just one son is trying to kill off the other to get all of the inheritance and they're using their nonthinking minions in the US Congress and state legislators to do their dirty work for them.
The eye for an eye thing isn't Christian law. Eye for an Eye is based off Israelite law. If you're going to comment on the bible please at least understand the bible...
Amen....Chris someone who gets it.....
Chris Gilliard
The Quran follows an entirely different path than the Bible although some of the same Old Testament characters emerge such as Jesus, who is seen as simply a prophet and Abraham, albeit pre-Sodom and Gomorrah.
Mohammad wrestles with an angel that performs more like a demon and scratches and claws him nearly to death while it reveals his so-called enlightenment. This "enlightenment" takes a nasty turn in the Haddith where he begins to reveal that it is ultimately necessary to "kill" or "convert" infidels as they will more or less hold a true Muslim back from his path.
Jesus, on the other hand, wants us to essentially love everyone which few Christians do and make a choice out of freewill whether or not we follow Him.
And these are alike how?
AND, most Christians ... unless they are fundamentalists who believe that every word in the Bible is true ... are taught that the Bible contains a lot of stories meant to teach lessons to rather uneducated people. Most of us don't believe every single word, and I can assure you that none of the Christians I know would sit through a service at which the minister or priest was telling us to go out and kill anyone who is gay ... or anyone who isn't a Christian. The "eye for an eye" thing is a little extreme, and it's also illegal under U.S. law; perhaps they were trying to teach that God will judge people based on that. (We also wouldn't sit through a service where we were told that white people are better than black people ... but that's what Obama did for 20 years.)
"(We also wouldn't sit through a service where we were told that white people are better than black people ... but that's what Obama did for 20 years.)"
Ok, why would Obama go to a church with a preacher telling his parishiners that white people are better than black people when Obama is a black/white man? Assuming you're talking about Rev. Wright, he may have some things over the last 8 years that Obama didn't agree with, but it wasn't until he really started to rant anti-semitic or racist comments that Obama and his family distanced themselves from his church and Wright himself completely. Regardless, I'm sure there are some white Presidents or those running for office have gone to churches where their preachers have said some very disparaging remarks about other types of people without controversy. Even if it went public, none of their conservative supporters will be holding them guilty by association.
The Dakota's have been on my Radar for some time. As in MOVING there. They have no issue with telling it like it is.
Too bad SD and ND are not running this Country.
THANK YOU! I'm a South Dakotan and proud of it! We are one of the last frontiers that think you should do for yourself and not expect (or WANT!) the gov't to feed, clothe, house, etc you from cradle to grave.
We would welcome you to our state. We need more residents. Housing costs are fairly low, unemployment just dropped to 4.2.
On to the topic of this article. One question. Is Sharia law different from the Koran? My understanding is that the Koran is the text of the religion. If Sharia law states that women are no more important than cattle and treated thusly and must obey men, I am so totally against it! As an agnostic (neither totally believing or totally don't believe in religious doctrines) I believe that ALL people have a right to work at their choice of job, a right to basic education and a right to believe as they wish as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights to do the same. And it doesn't matter whether they are black, white, brown or yellow, male or female, young or old, a natural born citizen or a legal citizen.
The Sharia law is a sepereat entity from the Koran. What most people don't like about countries who use Sharia law is that it is frequently entangled with the old tribal customs that Mohammed was trying to be rid of when he began preaching. It's the old tribal customs that get all the news: killing raped virgins, treating women like dirt, killing people for religion, etc. Sharia law is mostly about how to conduct yourslf in your daily life. It's a few thousand pages long, but only about 9 of them have to do with heinous crimes and punishment. In Sharia law, it's NOT okay to condemn a girl if she gets raped. The Koran can be taken many different ways, which is why there are so many different flavors of Islam. The Koran tells that a woman does "belong" to her man in a sense, and that she must honor him, but that he must also respect her wishes and take very good care of her and her needs. Most regular muslims just take this to mean that there is a give and take in the marriage (just like the rest of us. ;p) and that both partners should work hard to please the other.
In short, if that paragraph was too long: depends on the Muslim, just like with any religious group. There are small groups of really hardcore Christians who believe that their wives are subbordinate and can only be wives (barefoot and pregnant). There are a lot of Muslim immigrants where I live, and I have yet to meet a single crazy one. Some of the women don't even bother with the hijaab in America.
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT Americans, MUST ADAPT... Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.
.'
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.'
'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'
'Most Americans believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. we didn't invite you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'
I don't recall anyone in this thread having a problem with America, wyriz. :\
"The Dakota's have been on my Radar for some time. As in MOVING there. They have no issue with telling it like it is.
Too bad SD and ND are not running this Country."
--------------
Yeah, great point. I've been living in Wisconsin for the last few years, and it seems every week the shariah law just keeps getting worse and worse. If I have to deal with an imam coming to my door one more time and checking to see if my prayer rug is pointing towards Mecca, I just don't know what I'm going to do. Not as bad as Pennsylvania, where I used to live. You can hardly walk down the street without morality squads flogging you for eating pork. Honestly, I'll tell you what--- this country used to be just fine before all this shariah law was imposed on us.
Are you people insane? Have you ever even met a Muslim? If yes, has that person tried to force shariah law on you? Didn't think so.
Not only that, Lev, but in my part of Pennsylvania those darn Amish are taking over. Forcing us to use horse and buggy, plain clothes, and they are destroying our electric generating capability so we can't use our modern conveniences. Hopefully soon our legislators will write legislation stopping this Amish Law.
On a serious note, in college in the late 70's I had the pleasure of becoming good friends with a Muslim student here from Iran. He was the kindest, gentlest person I have ever known. We never understood his religion, and he would explain only if we asked. He now resides here in the states, and continues to make a positive impact on the people whose lives he touches.
I suspect people are people no matter the religion or culture, good and bad in all cases. It sure seems we have a lot of paranoid, uncharitable Christians in the news these days. They want to limit the rights of women and Muslims, in the name of their religion. Perhaps South Dakota (and our federal government) should write a law banning Biblical influence in interpreting our laws.
LOL, and they are immigrating to the mid west now, Illinois, Kentucky and Kansas
So Daugaard is doing nothing but wasting more of the state's money to declare illegal things which already are illegal anyway, just so he can single out and discriminate against a religion different from his own in the process. What an ass.
With the way this governor and his predecessor manage money, is it any wonder the state of SD is broke and has to shut down schools, roads, and law enforcement across the state just to balance the budget?
First of all, South Dakota is NOT broke. There is a law against deficit spending by the state government, not a bad thing in my eyes. There is not a state income tax so state income is limited, you want to add that tax now? The schools that have been closed are generally in aging unsafe buildings that were not maintained by the small community where they are located. Rather than spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to rebuild or repair those buildings, why not just close the school and send the 30 to 50 students in grades K to 12 to another school? The answer to everything is not always throwing more good money after bad, sometimes the smart thing to do is try something different.
Thank you Marty! We certainly aren't broke. We have to have a balanced budget ~ hear that DC and other states! Cuts are made to make that happen. Yes, schools have closed. But the school districts have consolidated because of the dwindling population in the more rural areas. I guess people just don't want to live and work where there is virtually no crime, pre-existing houses can be bought for just 10-20 thousand - or less! - where kids can walk to school safely and where there are opportunities for new businesses.
The same S.Dakota with five of the ten poorest counties in the Nation. Who suffers?
@ 5guide
Yes there are poor counties in South Dakota, and Louisiana, and California, and every other state in the country. The counties you're referring to are on Lakota Sioux Tribal lands which are governed by Tribal officals, not officals of the state. State officals don't legislate what goes on there, the tribes themselves do that.
Don't make me laugh. SD has a balanced budget thanks to Obama's stimulus (which Daugaard and Thune not only accepted, but also wrote to the President asking for more, despite publicly denouncing the President and the stimulus that same week.) For every tax dollar that SD pays in, the state receives a dollar and a half from the federal government. SD's budget is being balanced by other states carrying its dead weight.
That, and Daugaard closing down schools, roads, and law enforcement like I mentioned earlier. You always know the minute you enter North Dakota or Minnesota, because the roads almost instantly go from damaged and neglected undrivable paths, to smooth, modern, upkept roads. SD is ranked dead last in the nation for teacher pay. School funding is always the first place this governor looks to make cuts, year after year. SD's educational system is among the worst in the nation.
I can balance a budget too, if I cut important and necessary public services, keep the citizens leaving near or below poverty, and have the rest of the expenses paid for by other states and the president. This is nothing to brag about.
Cameron is exaggerating. Yes there are roads that need improvement. Yes teacher pay is low, but its a lot more than many people make and most people aren't off work all summer so they can supplement their pay if they choose to. It would be ridiculous to have the highest teacher pay in a state that is one of the lowest in cost of living. You're whining about cuts that have been made already, and then whining some more about more cuts that should be made. You seem to forget that the first cut Daugaard made was to cut his own salary by 20% or doesn't that count? This state that you claim is slicing education to the bone somehow managed to get each and every student a laptop to use. Yes the stimulus package helped a lot, otherwise there would have been larger cuts made. I don't know if you are living in SD or just enjoy bashing it because it isn't perfect. The fact of the matter is that a balanced budget is a law here, not just a suggestion. You say Minnesota has better roads than South Dakota, the same Minnesota that had their entire state government shut down for over a week because of their deficit spending had gotten so out of control.
Nonetheless, civil rights advocates are vowing to challenge the bill, saying it violates the First Amendment. Beyond that, critics say the South Dakota bill and similar legislation in other states unfairly stigmatize Muslims by signaling that their religious beliefs are dangerous to society and may gradually undermine American democracy.
Well "DUH"!!
"Civil Rights" advocates?
If you want those archaic and barbaric laws, move to a country that accepts them.
WE live in the US and WE have our own laws.
Keep yours.
Just out of curiosity, are there really any Muslims living in South Dakota?
Probably not. Not many other people living there either just men and sheep.
Chris, have you ever been to South Dakota? Obviously not. Not many sheep here either, lots of cattle ranches and buffalo ranches are found west of the Missouri River. East of the river there are lots of family farms. Not everyone wants to live in a big city or a congested smoggy metropolitan area. Some people like open natural areas with clean water, clean air, a very low crime rate, and low unemployement.
Yes, there is a Muslim population in Sx. Falls and some held an extremely hateful anti-semetic protest. Horrible things were said.
Yes, there are Muslims living in South Dakota mostly near cities with Universities, Colleges, etc. We have Muslim teachers (mostly in Universities) and Doctors in the larger hospitals. I am talking about the Western part of the state rather than the Sioux Falls area as JanDoe mentioned. Several Universities/Colleges in the Rapid City area along with the large hospital there and also at BHSU to the West of Rapid near the Wyo. border.
Ah, the gift of diversity. It just keeps on giving.
Ah Greg - well put. Diversity is a gift. And myself, I believe that the founding fathers welcomed diversity. Remember that at that time women did not vote, didn't own land, were, in a sense second class citizens, but thankfully we've moved on
What these clowns in the GOP apparently can't wrap their heads around is the FACT that our CONSTITUTION already prohibits making laws that respects an establishement of religion. Therefore it is ALREADY UNCONSTITIONAL to allow any "shariah law" to be adopted. Thus, making ANOTHER law acomplishes NOTHING execpt to grandstand and make excuses to bash muslims.
Could this be the start of a slippery slope to REPEAL the 1st Amendment and open the door of adopting a particular set of religious laws??
1) Prohibit muslim laws (not necessary until you......)
2) Repeal the 1st Amendment (which opens the door to......)
3) Establish laws of religion XYZ (goodby democracy, hello theocracy)
South Dakotans must STAND UP AGAINST this threat to our democracy. Either STOP this legislation, or ammend it to also prohibit ANY OTHER RELIGIOUS LAWS from being adopted.
John, before calling someone a clown, maybe you should step back and understand that Shariah Law is not a religion but a set of laws based on beliefs of a segment of the religion. Therefore, this particular law is not banning the establishment of a religion.
John
This is not about the US government setting up a religion, This is about a set of laws that a certain group of people want to have enforced by our courts that are not part of the Constitution.
The constitution says not to support a religion. We are a body of laws that are derived from our christian beliefs that has allowed others to be here ,but that does not give any one religion the right to say what will happen to the majority.
That's correct, Tom. Some of these guys scream 'separation of church and state' but the fact is, the majority of our laws are based on Christian beliefs.
Actually we have secular laws and a secular judicial system BigTex. Our nation was not founded on the beliefs either as a lot of the founding fathers were deists, not christians. In Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli 1796-97 it even states:
"Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion, etc..etc.."
And a good many of these beliefs existed before Chrisitanity. Of course if you include the Old Testament...
"Thou shalt have no other God before me," right? Does that men we can just ban other religions?
Nora...
1891 – The U.S. Supreme Court restates that America is a “Christian Nation.”
“Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian … this is a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation … we find everywhere a clear definition of the same truth … this is a Christian nation.” (Church of the Holy Trinity vs. United States, 143 US 457, 36 L ed 226, Justice Brewer)
I can offer you dozens more, from Columbus to present day.
I can offer you dozens more, from Columbus to present day.
From Columbus on, huh. Well Cortez and de Soto sure made a lasting impression on the original inhabitants. And Salem must have been a hoot.
It's no coincidence the Christians were the ones given the power to take it and keep it. It's also no coincidence that we're losing it due to the turning away from God.
Beyond that, critics say the South Dakota bill and similar legislation in other states unfairly stigmatize Muslims by signaling that their religious beliefs are dangerous to society and may gradually undermine American democracy.
REALLY!!!!! I guess it's alright to cut off a hand now and then and beat your women. Are we so politically correct we can't judge right from wrong anymore????? I don't care if you are religious or an atheist, but cutting of body parts is just plain wrong.
As someone above mentioned, the Bible also mentions "an eye for an eye." And beating women. So logically we should ban any Christianity-inspired laws, too.
a ...rand, yes, cutting off body parts maybe wrong, but guess what, cutting the hand off a thief would most likely stop that person from being a repeat offender, and less expense to the taxpayers.
What men is American society don't beat women, lynch other people just because of skin color, deny people their civil rights because of the same and their gender, bear false witness against their neighbors for any given reason?
Chris, did you mean what men "in" American society? If you did, I know many, many men who do not do what you seem to think all men do.
Danno, Chris is a bitter individual who doesn't like this country and would be MUCH happier if it were to become primarily Muslim or Hispanic ... he's not really picky, as long as any white people of European descent are wiped out.
Oh for F sakes. Sharia law should not be allowed tp creep into American society, PERIOD. These are muslim religious laws. Wake the F up America. These muslims kill non muslims and burn down churches in their own countries. Muslim countries have no tolerance for non muslims. If you are going to ban nativity scenes, mention of God in our pledge of allegiance, ban the ten command commandments, etc. in any govt. facility under the guise of seperation of church and state, then why would you allow the constitution to be trampled by insisting Sharia law be incorporated into the American legal system ? If these people can't or wont adapt to American law and culture, they can go back to where they came from. We should not have to adapt to their laws and culture. Go to a muslim country and try converting them to Christianity. You will either be jailed for a very long time or put to death. In fact, Sharia law says it's ok for a muslim to kill a muslim who has converted to another religion. Sharia law says it's ok for a husband and brothers to kill a wife or sister who has " dishonered " them.This is what you want for America ? This is just PC run amok. I'm all for legal immigration because that is what America is built on. In the past, legal immigrants adapted to the American way of life and culture. These new immigrants come here trying to force their culture and way of life on us. Bull - - it. You are in America now. Obey our laws and respect our culture just the same as you would expect us to do in your country.
Are none of you people paying any attention to what's taking place in Syria and Afghanistgan?? What level of brain power are you using to allow this camel to sneak into the tent? You need look no further than the UK and Canada to see what has happened to legal systems which are based on the same precepts as ours. Try using the internet to examine also what has happened to the Scandinavian countries where Sharia has become entrenched.
Kee Nok has laid out some very valid points which deserve more than a cursory reading.
Wow. Today Hitler may just have had a much easier time taking over countries.
exactly how hard is is to become a u.s. citizen. according to the qualifications requirements quiz i took on the u.s. immigration website, she would be able to start her application immediately. has she or her mother never applied for citizenship? in 14 years they never tried to become citizens? what exactly are the requirements??
wrong artical sis
Sister Morphine...Wow...really cool handle! I'm pretty sure I don't get it...but it's just so damn lyrical.
My guess is that this is just another reincarnation of the variously-named troll who calls himeslf/herself morphine_carnival, and other variations on the theme. I've five or six of those accounts set to ignore; looks like this will become another one.
His posts are primarily incoherent ravings which make no sense. The post here, for example, has nothing to do with the topic.
Muslims have historically been a violent an uncivilized bunch.
Can't we just say that sharia law applies only to muslims and they can cut off each others heads and hands and kill each other if they want?
Spoken like a true idiot. Are the Muslim citizens of this country out trying to deny the Christian citizens their civil rights, are Muslims desecrating Christian places of worship, are Muslims enacting completely useless and assinine laws to protect against a problem that doesn't exist, are Muslims on the airwaves calling for Christians to be killed or to be mistreated? All of these false Christians are making a laughing stock out of our country.
chris then why are trying to get the sharian law enacted?
Tell that to the families of murdered soldiers down in Texas. Tell it to the families of over 3000 people murdered in NYC, DC, and Pennsylvania. Tell that to the Christians being murdered in Iraq and Syria.
Your first sentence is very telling about your character. This is not about you though. It is not about Christians versus muslims. It's about a minority trying to get their religious law accepted in America. This is not just happening in South Dakota. The muslims are trying to get Sharia law accepted nationwide. Our constitution forbids religious laws to be enacted.
Don't know much about history, do you?
Yeah, everyone knows that those huge domed mosques just make themselves. And Arabic numerals (that would be "1,2,3, 4" as opposed to Roman numerals I, II, III, IV, for the mouth-breathing crowd here)? I mean I could have come up with that!
Uncivilized, by some standards maybe, maybe not, Violent well, they did invade Europe from the east from turkey through Bulgaria, Romania and all the way to what is now Vienna in Austria. And from the south over the strait of Gibraltar they invaded Spain, Portugal and a good deal of France before the crusaders pushed them back.
Like these and other knuckle headed legislators don't have enough real problems to address in their states.
Upholding and defending the Constitution as the law of the land is the first priority of any government official. Lord knows it has taken a battering over the last 236 years
If a government, posing as a religion, is making and enforcing law in America, we are no longer living in America.
With the Islamic Shariah being the rules for Muslims, the Catholic Church can claim that they handled the molesting of children internally, like Shariah, and it is all said and done. They need to be given-back the money and property that they lost to American courts who were out of bounds for bringing charges against the priests, and the Church, in the first place.
So we at least have a starting point of agreement.
Don't take part of the article out of context. " Critics say the South Dakota bill and similiar legislation in other states unfairly stigmatize muslims by signaling their RELIGIOUS beliefs are dangerous to society and may gradually undermine American democracy."
Sharia law is religious law. Religious law is forbidden in our constitution. Allowing Sharia law into our legal system is what's going to undermine American democracy. If they feel stigmatized, tough s--t. They are in America now. Respect and adapt to our laws and culture.