Religion, politics must be separated

By Bob Jack, North Las Vegas

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014 | 2:02 a.m.

The U.S. Constitution requires the separation of church and state. Religion and politics are therefore required to remain separate under the Constitution, which is the “supreme law of the land.”

So what should be done in the case of Islam, in which the doctrines of religion and politics are perceived to be joined? The two distinct doctrines must be restructured to separate them if fundamental Muslims are to adapt to American society. Otherwise there will be societal collisions, as have been witnessed in Europe and areas of America where fundamental Muslim populations have grown.

America’s legal interpretation of Islamic doctrines must be separated along political and religious lines. The political elements can be defined as those comprised of conquering of territories, subduing of foreign societies and governing of those societies. In other words, the Caliphate or Islamic State, violent and civilization jihads, and Sharia law all fall within the definition of “state activities” under the U.S. Constitution. Also included would be the use of the mosque for the preaching of violence, overthrow of the government or undermining the laws of the land. These would be separate from Islamic religious activities, which include the Koran; prayer; peaceful, nonpolitical uses of the mosque for prayer and teaching; and peaceful, nonpolitical social purposes. Any political activities directed at radical Islamic extremism, violence or inciting of violence, or the undermining or disruption of society or government would be a target of U.S. law enforcement or military action in accordance with prevailing U.S. law.