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Subscribe to RSSEarlier today we wrote that ahead of next week's Tennessee gubernatorial primary, Rep. Zach Wamp, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and current Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey were thought to be essentially tied in the polls.
And then there's this video that has surfaced of Ramsey at a July 14th event, questioning whether Islam is, perhaps, a "cult."
"You could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion or is it a nationality, way of life or cult, whatever you want to call it," he said, responding to a question about Muslims that are "invading our country."
The New York Times' Lede blog framed it this way: "Mr. Ramsey, who hopes to win the Republican nomination for governor in a primary next month with support from Tea Party activists, was asked by a constituent this month to explain his position on the 'threat that’s invading our country from the Muslims.' As Jeff Woods of The Nashville Scene reported, a tape of the exchange posted online shows the lieutenant governor responding, 'I’m all about freedom of religion,' before casting doubt on Islam’s credentials as a religion...."
Here's a partial transcript with the questions and answers in the YouTube clip:
QUESTION: I had an opportunity as I mentioned to you earlier to talk with Richard Foy (sp?) the other day, a representative from this area. He made a point that is of national concern at least in my mind and in my heart that is more of a national threat than it is to (inaudible) the state of Tennessee, we've got a threat that is invading our country from Muslims. What's your stance on that?
RAMSEY: OK, well absolutely. Right now, I've been in Rutherford County where this all got started. This is so ironic. This, this is one of those questions that I ran for 17 months and nobody ever asked me about this until about a month ago, three weeks ago, in which, what happened is they're trying to put a mosque into Rutherford County. I don't know if y'all know this or not.
Now, I'm all about freedom of religion. I value the First Amendment as much as I value the Second Amendment as much as I value the Tenth Amendment and on and on and on. But you crossed the line when, when they start trying to bring Sharia law here to the state of Tenn, in the United States. We are a law- we live under our Constitution and they live under our Constitution. But it's scary if we get there. It's always arguable- and I've been studying this issue, but I'll be right up front with you, like I say until two weeks ago, three weeks ago, nobody ever asked me about this on a governor's race. And why do you ask about that? Til this mosque started coming in up there.
I've been trying to learn about Sharia law, I've been trying to learn about what going on-, it is not good if that's what's going on. Now, you could argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality way of life, or cult whatever you want to call it.But certainly, we do want to protect our religions, but at the same times, this is something that we are gonna to have to face.
Right now, though, the most ironic part of what's happening in Rutherford County is I'm in the real estate business, you want to get something re-zoned, if you want to get something put in-, that's a three-month process. They approved that in 17 days ["mmm" from audience] in Rutherford County. The least they can do is back up, and say, let's, let's see what we're doing over there, (inaudible) 53,000 square foot mosque in the middle of basically a neighborhood and they did it all almost overnight 5:16. So that has become an issue, and what an issue. I've tried to study up on it. But I've read enough about Sharia law to know that it's crazy.
QUESTION: 22 communities have been established under Sharia law, and it's expanding rapidly.
RAMSEY: I'd be willing to say, stay tuned that when I'm governor we'll pass some kind of resolution or law or whatever it takes to say that it doesn't-, I don't see how it applies anyway, cause we're about the Constitution. Just enforce our Constitution when they try to push that down our throats.
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They're both wing nuts. Zach Wamp thinks TN might have to discuss secession, and Ramsey thinks Islam is a cult. Bet they're both birthers.
I do find Ramsey's comment ignorant because if you look at radicals as being representative of an entire faith, well there's some pretty radical evangelical christians right here in this country, some commit domestic terrorist acts against innocent people.
This message, from the President is long, long, long overdue.
He should have attempted his genuine desire for bipartisanship for 6 months.
Then, when the petulant, developmentally-delayed toddlers of the GOBP, Party of No, refused to cooperate on anything, he should have come forward with guns 'ablazin'
Don't look at the radicals, but look at what they are all reading - the quran. It tells them that you are an infidel and if they get a foothold you will be their enemy unless you convert..Enslaved or killed unless you convert. The rules in that book state that if you are a woman you have no rights. If your foolish enough to think that won't happen, just look at every other country that practices this "faith." Of course the Kumbaya crowd will ignore it until it is too late.
Take a look at what is happening in Dearborn, Michigan. They already have control over that city.
The Bible has some pretty radical stuff in it, too, when as some christians believe it is taken literally.
Gee, then Jesus Christ says he is he only way to heaven, we shouldn't believe him?
Ray W, you're using circular logic. We should believe that the Bible is the only word of God because the Bible says so? That's nonsense.
So? I think rightwing, fundamentalist Christianity is a cult. Non sum zero.
Then you would prefer that Christian not believe what Jesus tells us? Then tell me, if we can't believe what Jesus tells us. What should we believe? Who should we have faith in? Mind you we are betting our eternal welfare on it? If is amazing how people who have never read the Bible through cover to cover can tell us you can't believe it.
I am one of your few people who has read the bible from cover to cover. I find it ludicrous. I think you should believe in the brains and sense God gave you.
It sounds like you made your decision out of fear Ray??? Eternal Welfare??? Do you do everything out of fear? And for that matter, why should we do what Jesus says? Should I build a raft and float down the mississippi because Tom Sawyer did, or perhaps I should run into a Briar Patch because Brer Rabbit did?
And another question Ray..... How do you know that Anna didn't read the bible? Do you know what I'm doing right now Ray?
In fact, Ray, how do you know that this Jesus was even a real person?
Literal translation of scriptures, whether christian, jewish or muslim, are made by MEN - and to be more precise, men with agendas. IMHO, those people have bastardized the whole concept.
The sects or elements of Islam that poses a threat to the United States is a cult. Just as other factions of other religions have a cult following. The statement taken out of that context is probably wrong; however, in that context it is correct. Not only a cult but a very dangerous pathological element that must be dealt with appropriately. (Use your own definition for "appropriately")
Just out of morbid curiosity... what's YOUR definition of "appropriately"?
How sad, our country was founded by people running from religious persecution and we have devolved into this kind of intolerance! Why do we think the Purtians came here, not because it offered such a great climate or chance to make money!!! If this had been the thought back in colonial era 1/2 of Europe would have stayed home and most of these people would still be Catholics!
Diane from California
How sad, our country was founded by people running from religious persecution and we have devolved into this kind of intolerance! Why do we think the Purtians came here, not because it offered such a great climate or chance to make money!!! If this had been the thought back in colonial era 1/2 of Europe would have stayed home and most of these people would still be Catholics!
This is a great post Diane.
Muslims have a belief in sacred books. These include the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, and the Quran. Several days ago, I watch this documentary on women in Islam and was very enlightented. It prompted me to go their website. I would like to share this with all the xenophobic haters here. Here are two divergent views. I do NOT agree with lady from FOX NOISE.
Muslim immigrants often have faced civil rights violations after Sept. 11, says Dr. Aminah McCloud all U.S. Muslims should be concerned.
But after Sept. 11, she decided Muslims were in denial and "need to face the truth" about those Muslims who invoke religion to justify terrorism says Yasemin Saib a frequent FOX NOISE guest -- who grew up in Saudi Arabia but came to the U.S. in 1990
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/portraits/us.html
The Muslim population riddle Muslims represent such a small portion of the general population of the United States.
http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2001/10/31/american_muslims/index1.html
According to "The 2002 Civil Rights Report" released by the Council on American Islamic Relations, reports of anti-Muslim incidents in the United States have risen three-fold since 2001. Without taking into effect the post-Sept. 11 backlash, the remaining data shows a 43 percent increase in anti-Muslim incidents over the previous year. The report also notes that 60,000 American Muslims have been "negatively impacted by U.S. government policies" since the Sept. 11 attacks.
Why did General Electric bribe officials at the Iraqi ministries of health and oil, trade cash, computer equipment and medical supplies to win lucrative contracts, if Islam is so evil?
Muslim immigrants often have faced civil rights violations after Sept. 11, says Dr. Aminah McCloud all U.S. Muslims should be concerned.
But after Sept. 11, she decided Muslims were in denial and "need to face the truth" about those Muslims who invoke religion to justify terrorism says Yasemin Saib a frequent FOX NOISE guest -- who grew up in Saudi Arabia but came to the U.S. in 1990
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/portraits/us.html
The Muslim population riddle
Muslims represent such a small portion of the general population of the United States.
http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2001/10/31/american_muslims/index1.html
what is intolerance? Intolerance is not allowing someone to worship as he pleases as long as he is peaceful and stays within the law. Intolerance does not mean that you cannot say that you disagree with another religion or think it is wrong. Tolerance means to accept another right to worship but it doesn't mean you have to accept the validity of his religious beliefs. We must accept the right for people to peacefully disagree.
Actually Ray....courtesy of Apple Dictionary
Intolerance: not tolerant of others' views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one's
Tolerance: the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree
lərənt|
adjective
not tolerant of others' views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one'slərənt|
adjective
not tolerant of others' views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one's
I'm sorry Beverly in Chicago, that was the most chopped up, convoluted post I think I've ever seen. I appreciate your attempt to educate us on what you learned, but I made absolutely no sense of that. It was a sentence here, a link there...none of it made a bit of sense....sorry.
Seems to be a lot of "they's" and "thems" in his statement, which should play well with his audience - after all, there's nothing scarier than "them" coming to town, right? I give it till the end of the week before this story is making the rounds on the Forwarded E-mails for Idiots circuit, only by then "they" will have a direct link to President Obama and the mosque will be being built with tax money stolen from real hard-working Americans. Write your congressman now! Wait, load your guns first, THEN write your congressman!
By the way, you'd think a Lieutenant Governor would maybe know the difference between a law, a resolution and a "whatever it takes".
I think the part about "we do want to protect our religions" pretty much says it all. It's good to know he's all about religious freedom - as long as they're OUR religions.....
Have y'all noticed all this confederate talk about secession, as a student of history let me remind the riechwing of some interesting things they may have forgotten, first of all the north won and at the time most of the rebs had no shoes, we rebuilt the south and took nothing other than what the carpet baggers took(lol), the south started it etc. However if it was to start again heaven forbid they will pay an unforgiving heavy price this time, confiscate all oil fields and refineries, all commerce, all the resorts and beaches and retake all the shoes, thank god for the 2nd amendment which the left wing totally supports.
For God's sake man, learn some grammar and spelling.
"WE" rebuilt . . .??? Really? You contributed? Well as a reb, I am most grateful. Now, please come join the rest of us in the 21st century.
Every organised religion is a cult. simple and Christ told us to beware of them all. Book of Matthew 16:11-12.
How many of you posting think Sharia law (Muslim law) should override our constitution. Beatings, honor killing of family members etc.
No more than the Bible should. Seems to me there were a few of those things in the Bible, too.
Anna, please show me anything in the New Testament that supports anything remotely close to Sharia law. It is obvious that you, like many others, haven't bothered to read it.
A good point. Christians used to routinely burn non-believers and heretics at the stake. The Muslim murders are merciful by comparison.
People were still stoning, cutting off hands and King Herald was a really nice guy.
I think you would prefer stoning and cutting off hands to being roasted over a slow fire.
Christians did not burn people at the stake for non belief. Catholics did it. Don't paint all christians for what the Catholics did. To be accurate, it was the Protestants the Catholics were burning. The only others were a few Puritans who burned some of their own for being witches. That was wrong and even though it was only a couple, it was too many. Christians have never killed anywhere near what Muslims have and still do. Christians also purged themselves of the sin of slavery in a very bloody way (ie Civil War). We are not perfect and usually get ourselves in trouble when we stop following the Bible and start following some personality which turns into a cult. The Bible in the New Testament dispensation is a very peaceful and loving book. Yes, it tells us what sin is and to avoid it. But it is a message of love and forgiveness of that sin.
Ray W.
Hey dummy, Catholics ARE Christians. At the time of stake burning there were no Protestants. Also remember a group called Puritans? These were Christians and not Catholics but they dunked "witches" and some people even lost their lives because of it. Christians persecuted the Mormons who they said weren't Christians even tho the official name of their church is Church of JESUS CRIST of Latter Day Saints.
It isn't only people who are part of a 50 person congregation of the First Methodist Baptist Episcopal Nazerine Church of 17 Avenue who are Christians and the only people on the planet that will go to heaven.
Study the encomienda system by the Christian Spaniards in the New World as they forced natives to either convert or die. Learn a little about the history of Africa and the colonization of that continent. People were forced to convert to Christianity or die. Those were Lutherans and Presbyterians and Anglicans doing that to the natives.
Many wars and atrocities have taken place in the name of religion. Whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim or another religion humans have fought over religion since man first invented religion to explain things he didn't understand. As the Hindus believe....There are many paths to God. Which one someone takes is their own personal choice.
Ray,
Catholics don't appreciate being called non-Christians. My father's a Catholic deacon in a small southern town. He works against this prejudice constantly.
It was NOT just the Catholics that burned, stoned, and tortured people at various times. The Puritans drowned or torched over 100 women believed to be witches. Hitler was also a Christian, who saved the pure Aryan Christians from Jews, some priests, Jehovah's Witnesses, homosexuals... At the rate the far right Christians are going, we'll be back to that point in no time. Christians currently persecute Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and homosexuals - only less overtly.
Republicans all said they will help people out when they were booting everyone off of welfare. What a big lie. And now as a whole intentionally, Republicans are not creating jobs. They are like an abusive man that intentionally witholding from his family so he can continue to batter -- beats his wife and family . . . They are banking away 100 BILLION DOLLARS at this time and refusing to put America back to work. Families are suff
Dude, you're off topic. Pour out the vodka and go to bed.
For something that is over a thousand years old almost two thousand pretty old for a cult. Since it is a Abraham religion then all would be a cult Judaism and Christianity. It is like His-Story, who gets to write it and tell it.
I'm curious how, when the last two statewide polls have all had Bill Haslam with a double digit leads over his primary opponents, you can say that the three Republicans are essentially tied.
Billy that kind of stuff is in the Old Testament. That is why their were places for people to go to when they had killed someone(revenge Killing or Honor killing) Cities of refuge. The Old Testament is violent.
Islam is a peaceful, tolerant, and merciful religion........NOT!
What about the USA ? It's filled with religious cults ? I think all the cults should be abolished !
Yes, I believe Islam is a cult. Calling me a bigot does not faze me. I am discriminate against the things the Bible tells me to discriminate against. But in this country, I will defend the right of every peaceful Muslim to worship as they see fit. Not approving or agreeing with a religion does not negate their right to worship. Even the most staunch fundamentalist American christian would defend religious liberty. And please don't throw Fred Phelps out at me. I don't know one fundamentalist group or gathering he is welcome at. He in fact says he is not a fundamentalist. His church is made up of his family and he is not a very balanced person.
Ray,
I worked for three years for a very conservative Muslim man. He is one of the kindest men I have ever met. His wife wore a headscarf, but believe me she was her own person! They are an awesome family and I am honored to know them.
Ray, you said a mouthful. I also will defend anyone's right to worship as they see fit as long as they are peaceful. Without freedom for every American, none of us can really be secure in our own.
I am somewhat chuckling over the idea of my Muslim neighbors being violent. They have a large family and all of their gatherings are about food and passing around the grandchildren. They are perhaps some of the best neighbors I have ever had. When I am sick, they bring me soup. If my garage gets left open, they close it for me. The grandfather chases kids out of my flower beds. Frankly, I know a number of Southern Baptists who are way more violent and are always talking about "second amendment solutions." I think they are the crazy ones.
Fred Phelps is definitely a fruitcake.
One of the three major monotheistic religions of the Western world a cult? Is this guy for real?
I may not believe in Islam or all of it's teachings but it is definately not a cult.
If one wants to carry the cult thing far enough one could say that the only Christian religion is Catholic since it was the original Christian religion but even Christianity could be a cult overall when one considers that Judaism is even older and that the Old Testiment is the one book shared by all three of these religions one can presume that unless they are part of that original they must be a cult. Is that how it is figured?
Down the street where I live is a Muslim center where they meet, worship etc. They don't bother us and we don't bother them. Some are honest businessmen in our community. They are watch repairmen, restauranteurs, realtors, teachers, owners of gas stations, and many other professions. Most are here because of what is going on over there. Most have become US citizens or were born here. How anyone can believe these people are members of a cult is absurd. Jims Jones (Supposedly a Christian had a cult) Marshal Applewhite (supposedly a Christian) had a cult. But these were small groups of people led by some charismatic con man not a major religion. The stupidity of some is astounding.
All religions are cults, they all want to control you, they all are for the weak minded.
With all the violence and murder Islam seems to promote, I would call them a criminal enterprise subject to RICO Act. Have you noticed that all the areas around the world where there is trouble, there is a Muslim behind the cause of that trouble?
Congo? 75% Christian. Northern Ireland, heating up again? Christian vs Christian.
The GOP thinks decency and concern for one's fellow man is a 'cult'.
So lets analyze a few things here.
1. In the Muslim religion there is only one guarenteed way to get into their version of "heaven" and that is through jihad. Jihad is killing other people in the name of Allah. Other than that you are judged on their "scale" if your bad things outweigh your good then your just out of luck. But if your good outweighs your bad your still not guarenteed entrance into their version of heaven. If Allah is in a bad mood then sorry bud.
2. To us Christians there is only one way into Heaven and that is acceptance of the Savior Jesus Christ into your heart and having a personal relationship with Him. That ALONE wipes your slate clean and guarentees you entrance into Heaven no matter what you have done. His blood paid for your sins.
3. In the Muslim religion in their "end day" an "infidels" choice is either accepting Allah as "god" or death by the sword.
4. God is so loving that in the end days those that have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior will be spared going through the seven years of the Anti-Christ's reign. But God being nothing but pure love offers non-believers one last chance and if during the years of the Anti Christ if a non believer accepts Christ they to shall enter Heaven.
5. The Quran teaches that after the second time of a husband correcting his wife he is then allowed to physically beat her into compliance (if you dont believe me look in the Quran).
6. God tells husbands to love their wives like Christ loves the Church. What did Christ do for us? He DIED for us. This is what God wants husbands to be for thier wives....give up everything for them.
Those are just a few contrasts between Islam and Christianity. I could go on and on. But the TN Governor candidate is correct in my view.
Larry, please stay in the bunker that you built for 2012. There is enough ignorance on the internet as is. I think you can take a break and go back to making sure you've got enough green beans to last through the apocalypse. If you get bored I imagine Ray would be happy to count while you write down the numbers.
Larry, where did you get your information about the Muslim religion? I did a little searching and found that Jihad is not "killing other people in the name of Allah", but refers to all forms of struggling or surviving.
http://www.whyislam.org/FAQ/tabid/165/Default.aspx#Q9
Only one way to heaven Larry? Are you absolutely sure of that?
Absolutely Frank.... I base my eternal future on it....
So if I believe in God but don't buy into the New Testament thing, I don't get in?
Larry, when did you ever read the Quoran? By your rantings you have NEVER read it. You have no idea what Islam is about. You only go by what some biggoted talking head tells you. No research nothing!
I lived in a Muslim country for awhile and I found the people generous, loving, kind and very much like the rest of us. They just wanted things better for their children than what they had. They wanted to live in peace and to let others live in peace. They are as disturbed by, maybe even more than we are, those Muslim extremists as anyone could be. Those extremists give them a bad name just like our Christian extremist, fundamentalists give Christianity a bad name.
Larry, I suppose billions of people all over the world will perish in the "last days" but a hand full of "true believers" will make it through unskathed as they huddle in the basement of their tiny chuch in Podunkvill. Someone will be thumping their Bible while others sing and say an occasional "amen" waiting for their Messiah to rescue them from their horrible mundane lives. I, a Christian, believe that our way isn't the only way. The Hindus remind us that there are many paths to God and that each of us follows the path that is right for US. You are taught your beliefs because of where you live and who your family is. My guess is that you follow the traditional family religion. The same applies elsewhere in the world. Does this mean that a Billion Chinese people, millions of Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, a majority of the population of this planet will perish on judgement day but a hand full of "true believers" will make it to the throne of God?
Religion, Larry, is a very personal thing and when one perceives his religion being disrespected he feels disrespected himself. There are many Muslim sacred places in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. When some in the Muslim world see "infidels" on that sacred land they get a bit nervous as anyone would. I am sure Calvinists, Lutherans, and others would be upset if the head offices of their sects were occupied by "non-believers" with guns. How do you think the world would react if Muslims attacked the Vatacan? The shoe would be on the other foot wouldn't it and Christians would be defending their beliefs much as those Muslims are theirs.
Frank....that would be correct. Jesus tells us that HE is the TRUTH the LIFE and the WAY. He is the ONLY way into Heaven.
Larry, I suppose billions of people all over the world will perish in the "last days" but a hand full of "true believers" will make it through unskathed as they huddle in the basement of their tiny chuch in Podunkvill. Someone will be thumping their Bible while others sing and say an occasional "amen" waiting for their Messiah to rescue them from their horrible mundane lives. I, a Christian, believe that our way isn't the only way. The Hindus remind us that there are many paths to God and that each of us follows the path that is right for US. You are taught your beliefs because of where you live and who your family is. My guess is that you follow the traditional family religion. The same applies elsewhere in the world. Does this mean that a Billion Chinese people, millions of Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, a majority of the population of this planet will perish on judgement day but a hand full of "true believers" will make it to the throne of God?
____________________________
Unfortunately for them the answer is yes. God is quite clear on this. The ONLY UNFORGIVABLE sin is not believing in Jesus Christ