Vetting without explicit reference to Islam

Submitted by Chaim Yankel (United States), Feb 9, 2017 at 15:25

All of the controversy could be avoided if we simply asked everyone the same questions regarding their possibly problematic beliefs and behaviors. Most Hindus, Jews, Christians, Confucians, et al would consider the questions somewhat ridiculous, but it's worth the effort. Here are a few examples:

1) A friend tells you that he has heard his neighbor uttering blasphemous and derogatory statements about G-d. He asks for your advice. What would you tell him?
2) What would you tell him if the problem were his wife or daughter dressing immodestly?
3) What if his first born son had converted to another religion?
4) Under what circumstances should a husband strike his wife? Is there a rule limiting how he may strike her, for example, can he strike her with an object?
5) Are there things that your children might do that would be considered a dishonor to the family and to yourself? What should a person do if this occurs?
6) What should a man do if his employer does not give him sufficient time and a suitable place for prayers?
7) What would you do if a coworker politely suggested that you and he might engage in homosexual behavior?
8) What would you do if you caught your adult son drinking alcohol?
9) Should a judge give equal weight to the testimony of a man versus that of a woman?
10) Should a judge give equal weight to the testimony of a religious person versus that of an atheist?
11) Under what circumstances is it moral to strike another man? Is there a time when it is a duty?
12) When is it moral to kill another person?
13) Is it a wife's duty to have sex with her husband every time he asks? If not, then how often? What should he do if she refuses him?

I imagine the average Icelander would answer similarly to the average Argentine, with some leeway for cultural norms. Problem people of all faiths would reveal themselves with these basic questions and a few follow-ups regarding their moral reasoning. There's no need to discriminate against Muslims, but we're fools if we don't vet people for their likely problem behaviors.

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".