Fears of Sharia Law in America Grow Among Conservatives

The rise of anti-Muslim sentiment in America has brought with it a wave of largely-unsubstantiated suggestions from conservative media commentators and politicians that America is at risk of falling under the sway of Sharia law.

First, a definition: Sharia law is strict Islamic law. It is designed to guide devout Muslims in their personal and professional dealings, and has been used by the Taliban and others to justify limits on women's rights and harsh punishments, including amputation and stoning. (It is open to interpretation, however; here's a helpful backgrounder from the Council on Foreign Relations.)

Last week, Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle invoked Sharia law when asked about "Muslims wanting to take over the United States."

"They are building mosques all over the place," the questioner told Angle. "They want to build one near [ground zero]. And they seem to be getting their way. On a TV program just last night I saw that they are taking over a city in Michigan."

After stating that the "militant terrorist situation" in question "isn't a widespread thing," Angle said this: "First of all, Dearborn, Michigan, and Frankford, Texas are on American soil, and under Constitutional law. Not Sharia law. And I don't know how that happened in the United States."

"It seems to me there is something fundamentally wrong with allowing a foreign system of law to even take hold in any municipality or government situation in our United States," she added.

The statement drew a rebuke from Dearborn Mayor Jack O' Reilly, who said Angle "doesn't know what she's talking about." (As for Frankford, it reportedly doesn't exist, but is a former town annexed into Dallas 35 years ago.) The Dearborn claim may have been grounded in the arrest of four Christian evangelists for disorderly conduct at an Arab cultural festival in June, which some conservatives took as evidence that Sharia law had come to Michigan.

The notion that Sharia law is coming to America has been percolating in the conservative media for a while. Fox News' Sean Hannity suggested the arrest of the Christian missionaries in Dearborn reflected the possibility that "Sharia law is taking over in Dearborn," as did Fox News' Brian Kilmeade, who interviewed one of the men who was arrested. 

At the Values Voters summit in September, Newt Gingrich said - to a standing ovation - that "[w]e should have a federal law that says Sharia law cannot be recognized by any court in the United States." He has also warned that jihadists are trying "to replace Western civilization with a radical imposition of Sharia."

To support his argument, Gingrich cites a 2009 judgment in New Jersey that a man had not sexually assaulted his wife because his behavior was "consistent with his practices." The decision was later overturned, and stands as "the one and only instance of stealth sharia that anyone has been able to find," according to the Washington Post's Eugene Robinson.

The outcry over Sharia law has been tied in large part to the controversy around the Islamic cultural center two blocks from the site of the Sept. 11 attacks, as well as other mosques around the country. In August, Dick Morris said on Fox News that the cultural center will be used to "train and recruit Sharia law advocates who become terrorists."

Meanwhile, a former county Republican Party chairman told the Washington Post that residents opposed to a proposed mosque in Tennessee are worried that "the Muslims coming in here will keep growing in numbers and override our system of law and impose Sharia law." 

Protesters, left, and counterprotesters shout at each other during a July 14 demonstration about a planned mosque and Islamic center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. A suspicious fire was started at the mosque's construction site and police suspect that the fire was arson.

/ AP Photo/Christopher Berkey

On the Internet, which is awash in warnings about Sharia law, Pamela Geller of the influential conservative blog Atlas Shrugged warns of "creeping Sharia" in the United States.

"It's a drip, drip, drip, drip, drip. The mosque-ing of the workplace where you're imposing prayer times on union contracts, non-Muslim workers have to lengthen their day: it's wrong," she told the New York Times. "And in places like Greeley and in Marshall, in Colorado, the media doesn't report on it, but they've come to fisticuffs, there's been rioting."

Geller's comments prompted the Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg to write that "a Martian takeover of New Jersey is more likely than the imposition of a caliphate, or of Muslim law, on America." He added: "Only a true paranoid could look at America as it is today and see the creeping takeover of Islamist caliphate ideology."

But Geller is far from alone in suggesting that Sharia law is making inroads. In the right-leaning tabloid the New York Post this week, columnist Andrea Peyser warned readers that "[c]oming soon to a TV in your child's bedroom is a posse of righteous, Sharia-compliant Muslim superheroes."

Peyser quoted a column suggesting the show was designed to indoctrinate children and said it "has the seal of approval of a Sharia board."

On November 2nd, voters in Oklahoma - a state not exactly awash in Islamic activity - are expected to vote in favor of a "Save Our State" constitutional amendment forbidding the state's courts to consider Sharia or international law in making rulings.

Backers of the law say they don't want the United States to go the way of the United Kingdom, where the archbishop of Canterbury generated an uproar more than two years ago by suggesting that British law make room for Sharia. British newspapers reported later that year that "the government has quietly sanctioned the powers for Sharia judges to rule on cases ranging from divorce and financial disputes to those involving domestic violence." (Tribunals grounded in Sharia law are only binding if both parties agreed to give the judges power to make rulings.)

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As it turns out, U.S. courts "already recognize and enforce Sharia in everything from commercial contracts to divorce settlements, to wills and estates," as NPR reports.

The system in the U.S. is similar to Britain: Courts are open to honoring agreements made under Islamic (or Christian, or Jewish) law and worked out by religious tribunals - within reason. As Marc Stern of the American Jewish Committee told NPR, U.S. law supersedes religious agreements when those agreements are seen as grossly unfair. For example, when a Muslim husband in Maryland argued that he should be allowed to give his wife nothing when they divorced, citing Islamic law, the courts ruled that he did not have the right to do so. 

All this isn't to say that there isn't the possibility that a greater Muslim presence in the United States won't have some impact on the law; Christian-backed blue laws, which limit the sale of alcohol on Sundays in order to foster religious observance, are a good example of such religious influence.

But considering that there are perhaps two million Muslims in the United States, a country with a population of more than 310 million, fears of an outbreak of Sharia law seem overblown at best. Even if there is somehow a serious push for the imposition of Sharia law - or any other religious law - it would quickly run up against the first amendment to the Constitution.

"Were not going to see hand chopping off, were not going to see retaliatory violence, we're not going to see underage marriages, were not going to see polygamous marriages," Clark Lombardi of the University of Washington Law School told NPR. "The U.S. courts simply wouldn't do it."

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Brian Montopoli is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of his posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

[Sooperdon4]

The following is a forwarded reprint:

SHARIA IN AMERICA
By Ayesha Ahmed

Omar M. Ahmad founder of CAIR said:'Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant' he said. 'The Koran, the Muslim book of scripture, should be the highest authority in America , and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth,' he said. (UNQUOTE)

Now I need to find out what CAIR is and what it stands for. However, if Obama doesn't address this crap and openly declare his commitment to our first amendment, I will do everything in my power to expose him as a closet Islamic traitor. Sharia law doesn't belong in America and it must not challenge any amendments of our precious Constitution.

[ElementalDave]

It saddens me how frequently get caught up in a "mob mentality"response to issues like this. There is zero chance that there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. anytime in the near future to force Sharia law upon the population as a whole. There are a lot of Muslims that do not choose to follow Sharia law, just as there are Jews that do not follow strict orthodoxy and Christians that do not obey every law in the bible. The are sound and important reasons that we have a separation of church and state in this nation and I suspect the possibility of a single minority group could force that to be overturned is, essentially, non-existent. I'm really tired of the fear-mongering; it damages us as a nation.

[datrebor]

You may think this is just "mob mentality" but this is how it starts. It only takes a small trickle of water to damage a stone wall eventually. If you bing it you can find cases where a judges in the US went by Sharia Law. Besides it was just one woman that started the movement that bought about the 18th amendment.

[roshea1956]

original intent of christians fleeing the former country was to escape from being forced to a specific church by the king or else. The idea of the law was to be assured under the American gov. that gov could not force you to worship a specific way, freedom of worship.
Never have christians forced the gov to work a specific way. The constitution and the bill of rights was written by christians. Pls do not insult me and tell me they did not, they DID! They wrote the constitution for all not just a few. Today's American likes to twist words to mean whatever they want and that does not make it right. NO we do not need Sharia Law. If you need it go to their country that practice it, and by the way, don't come crying for the USA to rescue you once you spout your american mouth over there b/c they will behead you! Have fun in Sharia land

[roshea1956]

in any country that stands w/its constitution etc. it would be trying to overturn the countries principles, called traitor. it is rational in a rational thought to see a group within a country trying to overrun and "takeover" as traitors. Sounds like we need to make a law/policy in unholding the U.S. Constitution and no other. No other foreign law acceptable or else deemed unconstitutional. Freedom is for those who uphold our way of life not against it trying to abolish it. ie; civil war. our country needs to stop immigration as muslims obviously are a threat to our way of life, and unacceptable, as not willingly to assimilate into our lifestyle. Do not tell me that America is so mambie pambie as that, unless we have poor leadership who can't see the difference. It's our way or the highway b/c the Muslims see it as their way and trying to use our laws against us. We need to let them know we know their game and they lose. American style. Ship them out and let them grow in their death religion in their own country

[jackgotney]

I am speaking as a person, an individual, neither as a conservative nor liberal but as a citizen. From the point of view of American Citizenship I think we can agree upon some simple fundamentals. It already is a crime to follow the Sharia way or yet worse, the Hoodud law (the allowable local tribal interpretation of Sharia) as it is commonly practiced in Pakistan for example. The second and 3rd time a 9 year old girl is caught stealing a hand and foot are cut off, the fourth time, she faces execution. A 14 year old boy would go free on all counts for doing the same. A husband can murder his wife if she is caught in an adulterous position with another man. But the opposite is not true. A female is considered an adult woman at the age of 9 which is why muhammed did not have sex with his 6 year old wife until they were married 3 years (he waited until she was 9). Homosexuality is a capital crime it goes on and on. Enforcing their laws would violate one's constitutional rights. Recently, a group of Clerics in Pakistan punished a young teenage boy for having an adulterous affair with an older woman. They decided to punish him by gang raping is younger sister. Now she must live in the darkest shame. In our current legal system you don't need a new bill to make this illegal. It already is illegal.

[sheshocksalot]

These people whose religion follows Sharia law, are being seriously protected by our Religious Freedom rights, when their religion promotes an ideology completely incompatible with our culture, way of life, and against OUR LAWS. They have a monstrous population in many non muslim countries all over the world, Europe is saturated. And their radical groups, which are not just a small group, I'm sorry, but a "small" group doesn't accomplish so much death destruction and invasions all over the world, and continues to threaten and wreak panic and havoc all over.
They are not happy here, and are bent on changing US, instead of assimilating with us. Our tolerance for them is not returned, and punished, if anything... So their intentions that are speculated are only proven as the truth, and none of it is promising for a bright future with all our freedoms and our right to not being blown up for being Americans minding our own business on our own soil to be intact... So yah, common sense would cause some concern for this out of control group of heathens who have no intention of making peace or co-existing with us in a tolerant manner. They are here to dominate and aggressively impose THEIR ideology upon us. It will never progress to the extent they want it to, so appeasing them and allowing to further their initiative to take over will only frustrate them to violent attacks because they're not happy with something, or everything, whatever fits their agenda at that specific time. Bottom line their intentions are ominous and something that requires us to be vigilant to protect our country from being over run.. I will NEVER apologize or appease anyone trying to impose and force their beliefs and exotic eccentric ritualistic belief system upon me or my country, I don't care who they are!

[010sonny]

Their relegion as well as all relegions are protected here. Your point? Intentions are no different then our christians, that have swamped our country, with their superstions and incantantations. Yet our constitution has survied and threw them out of our government. Well almost still a few areas need to be adressed. They are aggressively seek our demise? You are sipping too much of Beck's propaganda tea. Observe just who has invadeded their countries and are still there killing them. DUH try thinking for yourslelf. Now that FOX has outsourced your favorite cartoon to South Korea, you may have to come to accept your Homer mentality as from Asian ideologies. Never forgive those that impose their superstions and incantantions on others? Does that mean when republicans start a war with Iran or north Korea you are not going to serve your proud and glorious nation? You will not seek to advance your Christ onto the world? Shame on you...

[010sonny]

A state may try to change a priniciple of the constitution. It is legal in as so much that they folloe proper channels.When they cross the line, they need to be held responsible for breech of conduct.Note Arizona once again crossing the line and promoting biasis to the populace. Agree we are heading into a further decline and destruction. Example Arizona is being called before the Supreme Court for their dispersal of vouchers for education has been for religious education. 1998 85% went to religious education. Presently 70% now advocates religious education. Taliban is not dead here in America. I wonder which religion one must be of if they attach Medicare to vouchers? Beck?s Mormon Christians no doubt.
I wonder who is constantly bringing shame to Arizona. Populace or a minority in their government?

[phineasjalyper]

I think there's a misappropriation of blame being dealt for people that are accused of changing constitutional principles. The <a href="http://pembertonmn.govoffice2.com/">banquet rooms</a> of the presidency are reserved for people that have worked hard to get there. Educated people that serve America's needs.

[zeeter3]

It's funny how some people keep calling out the "Religious Right" as fear mongering and sticking up for the Muslims. First, just because you are a Christian and happen to be Republican doesn't make you a part of the religious right. There are plenty of Democrats who are Christian. Are they the Religious Left? The Religious Right are the people who look to make our laws Christian and the left constantly condemns them.

Yet when the Muslims want to start using their own belief system as part of the judicial process instead of condemning them as they do to the Religious Right they mock the Religious Right.

This is more a case about personal freedoms. We've worked for 200 years to separate the Bible from the Constitution and now a state is attempting to prevent what happened in England from happening here.

Yes - both sides need to consent to Sharia Law in England. But how many devout Muslims are going to allow their children or potential wives from swaying from Sharia Law? This is an extreme example, but in Iran the families of those people who are sentenced to stoning are forced to watch their loved one being stoned. That is how it works, and it works the same way in England. The larger the Muslim population, the more pressure there is to submit to Sharia Law.

[datrebor]

Who has worked for 200 years? There is no separation of the Bible and the constitution. Just because the word Bible is not in there does not mean its not a part of it.

I don't want sharia law here no swine or intoxicants (alcohol or cannabis) that would be bad.

[LoveMyCountry333]

On Feb 29, 2010, Hal Lindsey did a segment on his weekly program titled History Doesn't Lie. It was based on a book by Dr. Peter Hammond, titled Slavery, Terrorism and Islam. The report detailed the escalating tactics used by Muslims to gradually take over countries they immigrate to as their populations increase in those countries. Here's a summary. 2% or less they are not normally seen as a threat to the rest of the population. At around 2% to 5% of the population, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often much of their success derives from major recruiting in jails and prisons, and among street gangs. Once Muslims comprise at least 5% of the nation's total population, they exercise an influence disproportionate to their actual numbers. This attempt to get sharia law considered is an example. When the Muslim minority approaches 10% of the population, they begin to utilize violent demonstrations as a means of securing their demands. After Muslims reach a 20% share, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killing and burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues. At 40%, nations may expect wide-spread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and ongoing militia warfare. From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecutions of infidels or non-believers of all other religions, including non-conforming Muslims, and sporadic ethnic-cleansing or genocide with the use of sharia law as a weapon, and jizya, which is the tax forced on infidels. Then with the Muslim population with at least 80%, a nation's citizen can expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some state-run ethnic-cleansing, and even genocide, as these nations drive out the infidels, and move toward the goal of being 100% Muslim. Watch this program at the link below to see what the goal is when the 100% mark is reached. This report is about half way through the program. Then ask yourself why the mainstream media isn't reporting these facts? www . hallindsey.com/videos/?vid=115

[deedeean1]

I really think that the american people need to wake up. Yes, we all have the right to worship any religion we want, but when a muslims or any other person moves to the United States than they are to follow the court laws and rules of the United State not their country they came from. Isn't that why they wanted to come to America is to get away from their laws or was it to take over America. I know people say we are just wrong and that they are just people like us but they are not they follow the Sharia Law which is really out dated and very harsh punishment for any one.

[ge556]

Yes, American people like you, who are worried about Sharia Law, need to wake up. Muslims in the US do not get to choose who they get for a judge, or what laws they get prosecuted under. This is a hyped-up non-issue. US and state laws apply in the US, not Sharia law. TruthTeller

[datrebor]

That is not what I've been reading. There are some that are not being tried by Our laws but Sharia laws one case a man was exonerated for raping his wife because its ok by Sharia law although it was over turned later. That was years ago so it sounds like an issue.