Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, lagging in polls in the Republican gubernatorial primary race, according to Talking Points Memo, says he's not sure if Constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion apply to Islam, since, he says, Islam may be a cult, not actually a religion: "Now, you could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, cult whatever you want to call it."
Ramsey did not dispute the video of his remarks posted at TPM and answered its request for comment with an email:
"My concern is that far too much of Islam has come to resemble a violent political philosophy more than peace-loving religion. It's time for American Muslims who love this country to publicly renounce violent jihadism and to drum those who seek to do America harm out of their faith community."
So, are the vast majority of U.S. pastors who would never dream of burning a Quran going to call out the Dove World Outreach Center?
That's the Florida church, which calls itself "a New Testament, Charismatic, Non-Denominational Church that believes in the whole Bible," which posted a roadside sign this month, "Islam is of the Devil" and has now stepped up its campaign against Islam.
According to Religion News Service, the church is planning "International Burn A Quran Day," on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks this year -- smack during Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic feast days at the conclusion of the Ramadan fast.
The Friendly Atheist blogger Hemant Mehta called up Jones to ask what's behind the burn. Jones tells him this is not about hate but about Christian truth -- and bringing Muslims to convert. Says Jones:
"We love the Moslems and hope that they would come to true salvation. What we are attacking is Islam, the religion, and Sharia law, the political system."
Brent Michael Dykes, blogging at Yahoo's The Upshot, observes Christians might be surprised to discover the Quran mentions Jesus 25 times and considers him a prophet, great spiritual leader and teacher. This also adds fuel to the anti-Islamic fires evident at mosque-building protests in New York this month. And Ramsey may have been playing to the crowd opposing a new Islamic center planned for Murfreesboro, Tenn., according to TPM.
Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY
