Dear Mr. Simon:

Thank you for expressing your views on Islam in America.

Our nation is at war with terrorism, not with any religious faith. There are approximately 1 billion muslims in the world, the vast majority of whom are decent, hard-working individuals. Millions of proud, law-abiding Americans -- including members of our Armed Services -- also follow Islam.

I am proud to represent a diverse population, and I strongly believe that our nation is stronger for its diversity, its tolerance, and its commitment to protecting the rights of its people without discrimination or prejudice.

While we must be wary of those who exploit our freedoms to propagate any extreme agenda, we also must be vigilant that we do not sacrifice our first amendment rights and civil liberties. Some of America’s most effective weapons against extremism are its basic strengths of integration and understanding. I will continue to push to fully fund law enforcement and investigatory officials while ensuring our Constitution -- including the separation of church and state -- is protected.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator
-------------------------------------------------
Dear Senator Brown:

Thank you for your response to my query about the blog:
http://freedomamendment.blogspot.com/


I respectfully differ with you on several key points. You say:

Our nation is at war with terrorism, not with any religious faith.
>>That is true, but ignores the fact that the terrorism we are at war with all comes from only one religion, Islam.

There are approximately 1 billion muslims in the world, the vast majority of whom are decent, hard-working individuals.
>>True, I have great respect for Muslims. Anyone who bows to the ground five times a day in worship is definitely praiseworthy. In the blog, I clearly say that Muslims should be loved, not hated. The complaint is with Islam, not Muslims. No rational non-Muslim ever studied Islam and said, “Aha! That’s the religion for me.” Islam spread exclusively by the sword since its very beginning until today. Modern Muslims are all descendants of people coerced upon threat of death. That does not justify being impressed by their numbers.

Millions of proud, law-abiding Americans -- including members of our Armed Services -- also follow Islam.
Including Major Hasan who followed Islam right into Fort Hood to murder 14 innocent Americans in cold blood while praising Allah!

I am proud to represent a diverse population, and I strongly believe that our nation is stronger for its diversity, its tolerance, and its commitment to protecting the rights of its people without discrimination or prejudice.
>>Bravo! Motherhood and apple pie too, no doubt. These are all important virtues. However, tolerance has its limits. Tolerating your sworn enemy is suicide. How about protecting our right to live?

While we must be wary of those who exploit our freedoms to propagate any extreme agenda, we also must be vigilant that we do not sacrifice our first amendment rights and civil liberties.
>>True! The first amendment guarantees us freedom of religion, one of our most important freedoms. I do not think that Islam qualifies as a religion that should be protected. As it says in the blog,
the teachings of Islam are antithetical and abhorrent and incompatible with what America stands for and therefore should be disallowed in this country. Although Islam has many positive aspects, it is overwhelmed by negative teachings that are extremely abhorrent to the modern American mind. We must disqualify Islam from our constitutional guarantees of Freedom of Religion on the grounds that Islam fundamentally advocates the violent overthrow of the United States government and the destruction of Western Civilization. No Moslem who accepts the basic tenets of Islam can honestly pledge allegiance to the United States.

Some of America’s most effective weapons against extremism are its basic strengths of integration and understanding.
>>It is critical to understand the true nature of Islam, which is world domination to the complete exclusion of all other religions. Islam has absolutely no tolerance for non-muslims and demands the death penalty for anyone who converts out.


I will continue to push to fully fund law enforcement and investigatory officials while ensuring our Constitution -- including the separation of church and state -- is protected.
>>True! The constitution must be protected. However, it allows for amending when necessary to protect Western Civilization. This is not to be taken lightly, but must be approached with honesty and integrity.

Thank you again for contacting me.
>>You are welcome. Thank you for responding.

Sincerely,
Joseph Simon
United States Citizen