Had an engaging conversation today on my Facebook page over a letter floating around which I posted that warned that Obamacare was about to force closure of many faith-based (Catholic) organizations, or shift the financial burden to taxpayers to make up for the loss. It was also very insensitive to Islam. Insensitive in the respect that it drew comparisons between what the faith-based organizations do, compared to those that Islam do, or don’t do. And the comparisons were blatantly stark.

It also made references to President Obama’s statements that the U.S.A. is not a Christian nation. The exact quote was “not just a Christian nation.” There’s a difference in meaning between what the letter had and what Obama said. That said, it didn’t take away from the comparisons. It also posed this question: “Have you ever seen a Muslim do anything that contributes positively to the American way of life?” That’s when things got interesting.

I suppose that was a reference to Obama’s statement at the Ramadan dinner in The White House when he mentioned Muslim contributions in America.

In this year’s greeting, Mr. Obama said the rituals of Ramadan “remind us of the principles that we hold in common and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings. Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity and racial equality. And here in the United States, Ramadan is a reminder that Islam has always been part of America and that American Muslims have made extraordinary contributions to our country.”

That Islam has had a major role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings may come as a surprise to Muslim women. Young Afghan girls who are having acid thrown in their faces on the way to school might want to offer their perspectives. That Islam is “known” for diversity and racial equality is also a bit of a reach. This certainly does not refer to religious diversity, which is nonexistent in many Muslim-majority states. This is a plaudit better reserved for a speech at the opening of a synagogue in Mecca. 

Most puzzling is the president’s claim that “Islam has always been part of America.” Islam had no influence on the origins and development of the United States. It contributed nothing to early American political culture, art, literature, music or any other aspect of the early nation.

Maybe the President was thinking of convenience store and gas station operators, but I was thinking in terms of the founding of our country and its development. I mean, when he goes out of his way to diminish the role of Christianity in the founding of the country to a Muslim audience, the question begs an answer.

I know of only ONE thing that Muslim’s are responsible for that contributed to “the American way of life.” The founding of the Marines in November 1775 during the times of the Second Continental Congress. Before George Washington became our first President. Their contribution was their pirating merchant ships, stealing the cargo and killing the crews in the Mediterranean Sea. As the Marine anthem goes “From the Halls of Montezuma To the Shores of Tripoli…” They were formed to protect shipping from pirates at first. Then grew into a force that can protect our country. That’s what I see as their contribution to America and our way of life. Your mileage may vary. If so, please use the comment section to add your two cents.

I welcome any local Imam to respond on what he (I don’t think they have female Imams) sees as their contribution. Not Fethullah Gulen, exiled in the Poconos, who runs schools to indoctrinate Muslim Brotherhood acolytes. They have nothing to do with the American way of life. Well, other than using the freedom of religion here to avoid jail in Turkey.

Example of Islam tolerance, “remind us of the principles that we hold in common and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings; Catholic Pakistani Mother Jailed for Blasphemy Thanks Pope for His Prayers, Says Only God Can Free Her . And from President Obama? Crickets.

Link: Barbary Pirates Demanded Tribute, Thomas Jefferson Chose to Fight