John Ashcroft and Islam
March 3, 2002
by Christopher G. Adamo
So, John Ashcroft is in big trouble for making inflammatory comments
which contrasted Christianity against Islam. In regard to Christianity
he was quoted as saying it “is a faith in which God sends His Son
to die for you," a remark with which any Christian possessing even
a rudimentary understanding of Biblical doctrine would have to agree.
In regard to Islam, Ashcroft stated that "Islam is a religion in
which God requires your son to die for him." Therein lies the bone
of contention for Muslim organizations such as the Arab American Institute,
and the Muslim Public Affairs Council, who have loudly expressed their
extreme displeasure with Ashcroft whose words, they claim, misrepresent
Islam.
Admittedly, John Ashcroft is not, in all probability, an expert on Islam,
and certainly does not understand its intricacies to the degree that he
understands Christianity. Therefore, his perception of the true nature
of Islam would most likely result from what he has gleaned in observation
of it. Consider the facts. On September 11, nineteen professing Muslims
committed acts of terrorism unrivaled in human history. Since that time,
any condemnation of those horrific acts by prominent Muslims, in this
country and abroad, have been tepid and conditional. In most cases, introductory
declarations of reproach against the terrorists and their sponsors have
been immediately followed by modifying statements, ultimately placing
the blame on Israel, its relations to the United States, or some combination
thereof. And this is the response from those Muslims who maintain that
they oppose the actions of al-Qaeda and its minions. Others, throughout
the world and even in this country have publicly lauded what they apparently
regard as the heroic and righteous deeds of the terrorists. Furthermore,
it should never be forgotten that throngs of Palestinian Muslims openly
rejoiced in the streets of Gaza upon hearing news of the devastation wrought
by the attacks. Somewhat surprisingly, Muslim clerics have reacted to
such displays of approval among the Palestinians either by denying that
the celebrations ever took place, or through expressions of sympathy to
those who did the celebrating. In contrast, were any "Christian"
sect to express approval over the slaughter of even a single innocent
Muslim (let alone thousands of them), condemnation by major Church leaders
would be swift and thorough.
Other events which have lately transpired in that same part of the world
cannot be overlooked in their significance to the present discussion.
From among such people, many sons (and now even a daughter) have been
regularly sent out to "die for Allah" in recent months, embarking
on suicide “missions” resulting in scores of innocent Israeli
citizens being injured and killed. Somehow, these all too frequent atrocities
never seem to elicit the same tenor of outrage from Muslim advocacy groups
as that which has been directed at the Attorney General. Neither can it
be said that Ashcroft’s critics loudly decry the standard assertion
by the perpetrators of such violent acts that martyrdom in this manner
will garner for them the highest heavenly “blessings.”
In a manner that is disturbingly similar to those “recant or die”
stereotypes so often associated with Islam, James Zogby, the president
of the Arab American Institute, has demanded that President Bush fire
Attorney General Ashcroft unless he retracts his comments. Zogby is also
on record as making claims that Ashcroft’s comments alone (as opposed
to Zogby’s verbal assault against Ashcroft), directly fomented an
influx of “hate mail” to the Arab American Institute. Perhaps
Zogby, and the other Muslim advocacy groups, ought to be reminded that
it is the Christian principle on which this nation was founded that enables
them to rail publicly against the ideology of someone with whom they disagree.
No such freedom exists in countries where the tenets of Islam are incorporated
into the function of government.
So, given that the overall image projected by Muslims worldwide has been
such a far cry from the concept of "Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you." (Matthew 7:12), is it any wonder that Attorney
General Ashcroft might perceive the Muslim religion in such a light as
he has described it? Far from conceding to the accusations of Muslim leaders,
he should in no way be required to deny the precepts of his Christian
faith, which is precisely what would be demanded of him were he to seek
to placate his attackers. His convictions have not undermined, to any
degree, a commitment to insure that all citizens of this country need
not fear for the safety of their persons or property on account of religious
belief. Furthermore, if Muslim leaders believe so strongly that they are
being ill represented by his statements, it should be up to them, and
not him, to change that perception.
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