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Indeed We are Distracted - a Response to RC Metcalf: A Muslim Says No to Shari'a Law in America by Mathew Hussar  Christian tradition is too rich and broad for the word " Christian " to do it justice. Christian churches range from American Protestant to the Syriac Churches of Iraq that still worship in Aramaic. The word " Christian " is simply not enough to contain all of Christianity. Islam and Sharia law similar. Sharia law represents fourteen centuries of legal thought and rulings by Muslims of many cultures, each with varying understandings about the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) and the Quran. It has laws governing all aspects of Muslim life. Even in Muslim nations, Sharia law tends to be used selectively. Though Sharia law has been applied to non - Muslims living in Muslim lands in the past, modern practice further limits its application to Muslim communities. By comparison, secular law is well suited to regulating our society. We are a diverse nation of immigrants. We need a neutral system to regulate disputes. I cannot imagine circumstances where Islamic jurisprudence could replace American legal precedent or the traditions of English Common Law in America. Our nation needs a legal tradition that its people can agree on. Therefore, as an American Muslim, I would not be in favor of an imposition of Sharia Law in America. A recent Newsweek article entitled " Islam in America " details other American Muslims' beliefs. To the degree that Muslim Immigrants succeed in our society, they seem to adopt our values as regard freedom of religion and our legal system. Muslim Immigrants also tend to be fairly successful. I can infer from these two statements that the Muslim Immigrant community in the United States supports American values. Native-born American Muslims are our fellow citizens. They understand their rights. When discriminated against, they seek redress in our courts of law. American Muslims both understand and utilize our legal system. Their pursuit of justice is quintessentially American, and I doubt they would forgo it. American Muslims represent a group that puts the lie to Dr. Metcalf's blanket statement about Muslim beliefs. Dr. Metcalf raised the Issue of Sharia law in America in the context of his argument against Atheism. His statements about Islam in this piece are as misinformed as his point about all Muslims wishing to impose Sharia law. He details France’s problem: tolerance of Muslims. He goes on to compare our ousting of Saddam Hussein to the liberation of Europe from Hitler. I demur. The story of European Muslims is one of exclusion from society. They have suffered from a lack of tolerance. Their frustration with mainstream society is the fertile soil in which the seed of extremism can be planted. The only homegrown Muslim terror cell in America, the Lakawana Six, hailed from a region of Pennsylvania where the Muslim community faced conditions similar to European Muslims. That makes a strong case for inclusion. Successful Muslims have more of a stake in the American Dream, so they are less likely to become terrorists. As I recall, we invaded Iraq to prevent the clear and present danger represented by Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. We were warned of mushroom clouds. These weapons never materialized. Ousting Saddam was good for the Iraqis, but wasn't Saddam was our man in Iraq during the Iran - Iraq war? We armed him with the poison gas he used on his own people. Only when he attacked Kuwait did we turn on him. Dr. Metcalf compares Saddam to Hitler. That opens a nasty door - for who but Fascists would support an Iraqi Hitler? Taken in total, the picture is disturbing. Dr. Metcalf alludes that Islam and tolerance of Muslims are the real problems we face. He generalizes Muslim views to the point of misunderstanding. Then he makes believe that we entered Iraq for the benefit of the Iraqis - the very Muslims he does not understand. This is not the kind of rhetoric someone interested in restoring Iraqi self - determination would use. It is the rhetoric of someone who wants to guide a ' lesser ' people. The Iraqis are the inheritors of one of the most ancient cultures on earth. They do not need forceful American guidance. As a 13th generation American I cannot abide the horrible mangling our brave soldiers are suffering. Our armed forces could have defeated any other army in pitched battle before being deployed to Iraq. The Iraqi problem required subtle turns of diplomacy. Instead we used our military like a hammer to pound in a screw. The men and women who would willingly lay down their lives to protect us deserve better than to be placed in a deadly and untenable situation. As a Muslim I cannot abide the chaos and death our actions have set in motion. I remember when Iraq's national museum was looted while the Oil Ministry was secured. President Bush's priorities have never been writ so plain. Our President cares nothing for the history of the Iraqi people. He is only concerned with the oil. Now his focus is on Iran. The current occupation is bad enough. Another war would be immoral, unjust, and radicalize even more Muslims - something that we Americans should desperately seek to avoid. I believe that Dr. Metcalf's thesis that Atheism is a diversion from an American struggle against Islam is severely flawed. Our focus should not be on Atheists or culture war. We can improve Christian - Muslim and Middle Eastern relations by addressing a very real national problem: Iraq. When we commit to a moral foreign policy that includes withdrawing our troops, America will reap benefits in terms of peace and prestige. We will be able to once again take moral leadership in the world. As a patriot and advocate of justice, this is what I would most like to see. Matthew Husar is a student of history and a recent convert to Islam. He hopes to become a history teacher. Copyright 2007 by Matthew Husar Past issues - Print edition - Media Kit - About Christian Faith and Reason ©2007 Christian Faith and Reason
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