They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
The mantra has begun: depending on the poll, 11-to-18 percent of Americans apparently think President Obama is a Muslim, proving that his opponents are racist, Islamophobic ignoramuses. Whoa, cowboy! Here are a few thoughts on those figures, assuming them to be accurate.
First, you can find significant numbers of people who believe almost anything, including that the U.S. planned the World Trade Center attacks. Second, why is it such a terrible thing to believe he’s a Muslim? Respondents might be misinformed or ill-read, but why do we assume they hate the guy? Maybe they just misidentified his religion. Maybe some of those who were polled actually were Muslims. Maybe they were Democrats. It’s safe to say at least 18% of Americans would make the wrong guess about any President’s religion.
Third, why is it so unfathomably moronic to believe he’s a Muslim? It’s not as if they’re saying he’s a Martian. Obama’s mixed heritage was touted as a great plus during the campaign. How surprised should we be that some people made a wrong assumption?
And finally, why are these poll findings being characterized as an attack on the President? Is it wrong to be a Muslim? Is it something to be ashamed of? Why is the Left so upset by this? Aren’t they protesting just a bit too much?
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Jul '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Americans are too racist to elect a black man as President..., wait, scratch that... Americans are too bigoted to elect a Muslim.
Jun '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
If you really wanted to insult him, you call him a politician,...oh wait....
Jun '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Makes you want to chuckle, doesn't it?
May '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
In addition, there must be some number among the 11 - 18 percent who base their belief that he's a Muslim on actual knowledge of Muslim familial law. Muslim religious status is patrilineal and his father was Muslim. Therefore, by Muslim law, he is considered Muslim. His father might have been considered apostate, as an apparent atheist; and Obama himself, whether Christian or non-believer (as many of us suspect), also an apostate. Nonetheless, there is certainly an educated argument that he is technically Muslim by birth, regardless of what else he embraces by choice.
An interesting side point: Judaism is matrilineal. There can be some interesting legal issues that result from marriage of a Jewish woman and Muslim man when they have children. It's actually something of a problem in Israel.
May '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Caryn, that's similar to a point I made to a friend the other day. What does it mean to be a Muslim? He may not practice the religion of Islam, but he descends from Muslim ancestors, spent his childhood in a Muslim country, attended a Muslim school, and emphasized his Muslim background as a positive. It's not categorically wrong to say he's a Muslim.
Aug '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Brilliant, Pat. Truly. And it's not as if our Scold-in-Chief has helped clarify the situation, either. During the election, calling him Barack Hussein earned one a firestorm of scorn and derision for being Islamophobic. Since the election, he and his supporters are proud of it and use the moniker all the time. Then he went on an apology tour to the Muslim world.
By bowing to theological potentates like Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and Japan's Divine Emperor Akihito, Obama declares his un-Christian belief system.
The truth is we don't recognize Obama's version of Christianity. He can call himself a Christian all day long, but actions speak louder than words. What we see is the Rev. Wright's version of Christianity, which preaches "collective salvation" (theological socialism), contrary to the individual salvation of authentic Christianity.
Jul '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Ayatullah Durrani, Pakistani Minister of State for Industries wants Obama to go to Ground Zero on 9/11 and declare himself caliph. If one of the 18% of American suggested this, the fashionable opinion makers would be appalled. But apparently Obama has the ayatullah convinced. Is the ayatullah a moron?
Edited on September 7, 2010 at 7:15pmMay '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Has anyone ever gotten a pollster's phone call for one of these social surveys? I wouldnt be surprised if 11-18% hit the wrong button on the phone response, just clicked the same number without listening to the question to get through the phone call, or just wanted to be jerks by answering the call incorrectly. I find it hilarious when polls give a small, few-percent margin of error when reporting results because it is incredibly difficult for anyone responding to take these things seriously (even if you are otherwise serious about politics).
May '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Mark, exactly. And if it is categorically correct, how can those who believe that he is Muslim using that logic be considered wrong? More to the point, if categorically correct, how is it "hateful" to believe such a thing? Finally, back to Pat's (may I call you Pat, Mr Sajak?) points out, what's the problem if he IS a Muslim? (Actually I have some problems with it, but that's not the point he's making, is it?)
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
I agree.
May '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Here's the question that wasn't asked, "How many Muslims believe he's a Muslim?" I may be mistaken, but if you have a Muslim father do not the Islamists insist that you, too, are Muslim? And Muslims can not leave the faith without being an apostate and being subject to the death penalty.
Any outstanding fatwas we need to know about?
Jul '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
5/12/ 2008 New York Times article by Edward Luttwak described Obama as a Muslim. Colonel Qadaffi routinely refers to him as his "Muslim brother." So why all the fuss when a portion of the America public agrees? Is it because he is such a disaster as a president that the left needs to direct its anger somewhere and the public is a convenient scapegoat?
May '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
The more believing Christians notice Obama's contempt for them and the values they cherish, together with his apparent sympathy for and obsequiousness toward "the Muslim world" (how about all those tax dollars for Mosques in the Middle East?); the more they learn about his long association with radicals and the Alinskyite practice of lying as a means of attaining power, the less credible they will find Obama's claim to be a Christian, and the more justified they will be in searching for a more plausible account of his real beliefs.
May '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
If that had been an option on the poll I'm sure it would have received votes. As would "Zoroastrian" or "Manichean" or even some made-up religion. What this means is that, just as you said Pat, "they made a wrong guess." In other words, they are guessing, because they cannot recognize what they see. Obama doesn't act much like a true Muslim, but then he doesn't "act like" much of anything. So people respond to a poll with a guess.
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
David, your speculations -- which I've deleted -- do run afoul of our Code of Conduct. To eliminate the entire thread, Mark, your comments have been removed as well; thanks for your understanding.
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
James, just to clarify: there is no dress code, is there?
May '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Only for those of you with active web cams. Dress is required.
Aug '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Pat Sajak
James, just to clarify: there is no dress code, is there? · Sep 7 at 1:23pm
Ideally, all the men should dress like Pat Sajak and all the women like Vanna White. But all good conservatives know how apt humanity is to fall short of ideals.
Jun '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Obama may or may not be a Muslim, be he appears to have more sympathy for Muslim sensitivities than he does for the concerns of the American people. He may not be a Martian either, but he is strangely alien. So who is he? His statement about being "blank slate" comes to mind. Judging by his many verbal gaffs, I think the "blank" part certainly fits.
Jul '10
Re: They Think He's a Muslim? So What's Your Point?
Imagine that. The MSM go out of their way to assure that the least-known, least-vetted, least-documented Presidential candidate in history is given a complete pass on scrutiny of his background - and now they're shocked that some people engage in speculation.
Perhaps the news media lacked the resources to inquire more deeply - they had their battalions of inquiring newshounds deployed to, um, Wasilla, Alaska.
Edited on September 7, 2010 at 11:38pm