Ben Carson debate: Should we advocate for a muslim President?

As anyone keeping up with the news would know, Ben Carson is under heat for saying he would not advocate for a Muslim President of the United States. Should a President’s faith matter? If you are not familiar with the headline, read ‘Ben Carson campaign responds after outrage over comments on Islam‘.

As someone who took up Middle East studies and policies, Ben Carson has valid points why it would not be the best idea to advocate for a Muslim President. Why? Islamic Law and public policy in the United States clash too much and following core ideas of a set religious practice, not just Islam, is hard to break away from. Even with Ben Carson, who mentions his Christian faith at times, does not really complement the progressive policies we hope for America in the long-run. He doesn’t support gay rights and Carson is pretty reserved when it comes to women’s rights and other major issues.

His argument is not about someone being Muslim. The argument is about the mentality behind the ideology. There are so many layers to Islamic Law and in the Middle East there is no such thing as separation of church and state.

With that said, a modern Muslim has every right to run for the presidency, but if the said person cannot separate church from state when it comes to decision-making, we are going to have problems strengthening progressive policies in the United States. This goes for any religious person. People are too sensitive, especially when it comes to religious beliefs.

For those unfamiliar with Islamic law or United States public policy, here is an article to read and shade a little light on the matter: Muslims, Islamic Law and Public Policy in the United States. This not about political correctness. It’s about being direct and sticking to the facts.

And no Ben Carson is not our top choice for President. We don’t agree with half of the things coming out of his mouth, but there is reasoning behind his statement on this specific topic. In a progressive society, Islamic traditions are old ways of thinking and don’t live up to modern efforts and initiatives of equality, including women rights and gay rights.

For example, traditional Muslim men would never allow women to make critical decisions in any leadership role, especially not in politics. It’s a very reserved, highly sensitive community and religion cannot be compared to race. It’s a whole different ball game. Race is just a distinguish of complexion; religion is a mentality, an ideology.

Take a look at Islamic states and you will see failed social systems as well as political systems. Even when people vote for Christian Presidents in the United States, they seek someone respectful of all walks of life and not someone who will impede communication when policy doesn’t harmonize with their religious perspectives. They seek a leader who is not passive aggressive. In all honesty, Islamic law promotes passive aggressive tactics, gender inequality and condemns capitalism. America is about capitalist principles, wants to advance gender equality and western culture is about directness. These truth statements are not to offend Muslims around the world. We have peers and friends who are Muslim and even been in intimate interactions with Muslims,but Islamic ideology does not pan out well with U.S. Public Policy if church and state do not go separate. The United States needs a president who can stand for modern reforms and initiatives which advance true Democracy. We don’t see this happening with a true Muslim President but someday perhaps the ideology will harmonize with the policies we hope to stand for in a progressive American society.

*** Note this blog has supported the Arab Spring and other initiatives in Middle East human rights and social progression. The opinion is not to offend those of Islamic faith. ***

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