RE: Why Obama's Religion Does Matter

Submitted by Anonymous (Canada), Nov 2, 2008 at 15:41

Why is it that Islam is such a big issue when it comes to Barack Obama? Why do people continue to bring this subject up? Does it really matter if he was hypothetically a muslim?

Most responses regarding his affiliation to Islam (no matter how minimal it was in his childhood) are based on ignorance and to some extent, racism and discrimination. Branding Islam as a "terrorist religion" or so, is the most misguided perception of the 21st century so far. I happen to be a muslim, born in a Middle Eastern country, who have practiced my religion when I was younger. I am not a barbaric, sword branding individual, but rather a human being just like everyone else. Does the fact that someone is Muslim or is associated with Islam to a certain degree, automatically sentence him to labels, stereotypes, and false accusations? It is true, that there are some Muslims who practice hate, murder, and yes, terrorism.

But this is also true of many groups from different religions (and this is a fact). When people stop this racist, discriminatory labelling and judgemental opinions, maybe we as human beings can learn to understand each other, and put each others differences away. Until then, your hatred towards Islam and Muslims is only reflective of the poison that infiltrates your mind and soul. I can only wish that one day, you see how this poison is only hurting you, and no one else.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".