Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey Questions Whether Islam is a Religion

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Republicans

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey

(Credit: www.teamronramsey.com)

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, a Republican competing in the GOP gubernatorial primary, said on July 14th that he is unsure if Islam is really a religion, suggesting that it could be a "cult."

As TPM DC, which reported on the video after it was posted by the Nashville Scene, notes, Islam is the world's second-largest religion.

Asked about the "threat invading our country from Muslims," Ramsey first said that he is "all about freedom of religion," proclaiming fealty to the first amendment to the Constitution. But he went on to add that "you cross the line when they start bringing Sharia Law in the state of Tennessee, the United States."

"Now, you could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, a cult, whatever you want to call it," Ramsey said. "But certainly we do protect our religions, but at the same time, this is something we are going to have to face."

It is not clear what Ramsey's suggestion that Sharia Law is being introduced in the United States, though he seems to be tying it to a move to open a Muslim community center in Hamilton County. (He calls it a mosque.)

In an email to TPMDC, Ramsey wrote that "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."

You can see Ramsey's comments at left. His discussion of Islam starts shortly after the 3:00 mark.The video includes a cut, though his full response to the question appears intact and Ramsey's campaign did not take issue with the recording.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by Voland222 August 5, 2010 12:11 PM EDT: Any religion has a political root. Religion defends the right of elite to have more than others have on the basis that "in the paradise it will be ? fair distribution of pleasures". It is primitive, but it works.
Therefore, any religion is instrument of propaganda.; Reply to this comment


by WMInfidel July 29, 2010 5:26 PM EDT: ?"Among religions, Bolshevism is to be reckoned with Mohammedanism rather than with Christianity and Buddhism. Christianity and Buddhism are primarily personal religions, with mystical doctrines and a love of contemplation. Mohammedanism and Bolshevism are practical, social, unspiritual, concerned to win the empire of this world." - Bertrand Russell, Theory and Practice of Bolsevism, 1921.; Reply to this comment


by sixthromeo July 28, 2010 6:22 PM EDT: Nut case or not, Mohammed created Islam as a militant force to wrest area control from the uncle who mistreated the orphan boy Mohammed. When you look at sharia law attempts they are no different than what the Mormon cultists do, Islam has a "holy rock from when Mohammed flew to heaven on his winged horse," Mormons have a hill in New York State where "angels and leprechauns and elves fought for the control of the world." When any politician stands in front of any constituent and makes references to the following of their religion being best for the country, then we have many questions on whether politicians really believe in separation of church and state or whether those politicians want THEIR religion to be the law of the land.; Reply to this comment


by cleric60 July 28, 2010 6:09 PM EDT: Regretfully, this Ron Ramsey, should have asked some theologians about Islam. It is a faith tradition that attempts to bring back much of the ceremonial, hygiene, and civil laws of the Old Testament of the Jews. Much of the teaching of Islam come from Torah or the first five book of the Old Testament-books of Moses.
It is a religious sect-because it claims to be the ONLY saving religion.
It is not a cult--it is open to anyone, anywhere.; Reply to this comment


by r-u-effin-serious July 28, 2010 11:51 AM EDT: And, If you ask me, there is a slight difference between opening a community center and the institution of sharia law. I could be wrong; Reply to this comment


by r-u-effin-serious July 28, 2010 11:47 AM EDT: evangelical christianity is most certainly a cult; Reply to this comment


by Roarke88 July 27, 2010 9:17 PM EDT: I'm not big on organized religion but Islam is certainly a religion and the First Amendment guarantees that it can be practiced freely here in the US no matter what this boob says. I hope most people in Tennessee aren't as dumb as he appears to be.; Reply to this comment


by bna1962 July 27, 2010 3:55 PM EDT: Ron Ramsey is a joke. He claims to be a Tea Party leader yet is involved in some of the most obvious pay to play schemes controlling to legislative agenda. See this link on Ramsey selling out to Mountaintop Mining. The local CBS affiliate produced this and I found this on youtube someone had fun with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSMtCt6LPqw; Reply to this comment


by sawyer68 July 27, 2010 12:59 PM EDT: Just when you thought it was safe to declare Texas, Arizona and South Carolina as the states run by the most ignorant of troglodytes, Tennessee throws its hat in the ring.; Reply to this comment


by thebob-bob July 27, 2010 12:35 PM EDT: I didn't think you could make the state of Tennessee look any worse or Republicans any dumber or Evangelical Christians any dumber but there he is. Three for the price of one.

Next thing you know, he'll be suggesting that Pastafarians, who worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster, are just a cult?!!? Conservatives used to yell and scream about eating 'foreign' food like pasta and chow mein. Now they're as American as French Fries.

What a tool!
rAMEN!; Reply to this comment