Owing Each Other a Terrible Loyalty
“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all‑wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form
by Rabbi Nancy Kasten
If the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) expects public school curricula to promote the priorities of the Texas Republican party, they’ll have to leave President George Washington’s “Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport” off the mandated reading list. In his letter, Washington asserts that “… the Government of the United States … gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance ….” He also prays, “May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.” [1] While Washington’s letter is addressed to a Jewish congregation, we know that Abraham had two children, and one of them was the father of Islam.
In this year’s Texas Republican primary, 94.81% of voters supported Proposition 10, calling for the prohibition of “Sharia law.” “Sharia” is the Arabic word for a trail leading to water. Islamic law is called “Sharia” because it offers a path to a faithful life for Muslims. Jewish law is called “Halachah,” a Hebrew word for path. Other religions have similar internal legal and ethical systems intended to promote justice, morality, and religious identity. They are specific to adherents of a particular faith or denomination. In United States jurisprudence, religious legal frameworks can be considered, but are subordinated to the Constitution.
The proposition on the primary ballot did not explain any of this. Instead, it fueled a wildfire of mis- and dis-information, encouraging Republican candidates to defame, denigrate, and discriminate against Muslims and Muslim entities in order to win. One candidate for the Texas House launched her campaign with a video of herself burning a Quran and declaring that “your daughters will be raped and your sons beheaded, unless we stop Islam once and for all.” At the end of a pre-primary podcast episode titled “Exposed: The Secret Plan to Bring Islamic Law to Texas,” Texas influencer Sara Gonzales expressed hatred and condescension for Muslims and anyone who argues for their equal protection under the law, ending with this challenge to her listeners:
“Who do you trust to battle this? Who do you trust to fight this off? Who do you trust to make this state the most unfriendly to Islam in the entire country? That is something you need to think about. This is the biggest threat facing our country. Texas needs to lead the way on this.” [2]
For those who argue that Washington did not intend to include Muslims in his promise and prayer, historical documents strongly support the claim that Muslims, along with people of all religions, were accepted and welcomed by the Founding Fathers [3]. By ignoring this fact and creating the false impression that Sharia law is part of a Muslim plot to turn the U.S. into an Islamic State, Republicans are using rhetoric of hatred and fear to further their political agenda. That agenda includes requiring Texas public schools to teach that life begins at fertilization (Prop 4), ending public services for “undocumented immigrants” (Prop 8), and barring Democrats from leadership positions in the legislature (Prop 9) [4]. Supporters call this agenda “Christian,” and if they succeed, their persecution of those who oppose it will prevail. Anyone who feels this agenda contradicts their faith values will be a target, no matter how they identify their faith tradition. Christians who don’t comply will not be spared. If Americans allow our state and federal government to create legislation based on lies about Muslims, that legislation will be replicated in additional bills that can strip any of us of our rights, our freedom, and our security.
If you are inspired and comforted by Washington’s letter, now is the time to make your voice heard. Ask the candidates from both parties in your local, state, and national elections what they are doing to protect Muslims from religious discrimination. Tell them you are afraid of elected officials who promote bigoted ideas and punitive laws designed to drive out those who disagree with them, and that you are not afraid of Islam. Point out that every religion has its extremists, and we want to be protected from all of them, without exception. And be savvy when you get to the voting booth. Unless the Republican party platform changes, any Republican who is elected will vote for that agenda, an agenda that distorts our nation’s vision of religious freedom.
[1] Founders Archives
[2] Texas Scorecard
[3] Juan Cole
[4] The Texan
Sign this letter calling on elected leaders to stop the targeting of Muslim communities and reaffirm the constitutional promise of religious liberty for all.
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