Does "religious freedom" include Islam?

[Sandy]

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/1 ... haria-law/

Seems that Alabama has a ballot initiative that would put a law into effect banning part of a religious practice of some forms of Islam, the noted and infamous, "Sharia Law." Some conservative Christians seem to be opposed to what they see as an unnecessary and silly law. But I think there's a question here that needs to be answered. In a society where there is religious freedom, is it unconstitutional to prohibit practices of a religion, other than those which are covered by civil law?

I don't believe the founding fathers meant that only the practice of Christian faith, and its different expressions, were all that was protected by the constitution. And the Sharia Law issue may be blown out of proportion, however, there are people in the world who are fanatically committed enough to their faith that they are willing to sacrifice and die for it. Aren't some Christians? Pastors and other Christian leaders were up in arms when the city of Houston passed an ordinance they didn't like, and when some sermons were subpoena'd. In American Democracy, shouldn't we be just as concerned about the rights of Islamic clerics?

[Tim Bonney]

Yes, Sandy we should be concerned about the rights of Imams, Rabbis, Priests, Pastors, and whatever other clergy designation you can think of in all religious faiths in this country. If Alabama can restrict religious freedom for people of the Islamic faith whose to say they can't do the same thing to Baptists or Methodists?

Back in Baptist history baptists were accused of child abuse for not baptizing their children in certain congregations. In England Methodists were subjected to harassment and attack for street preaching. If we don't project Muslims than who will protect us?

[Dave Roberts]

I think this is a very complex question because Sharia Law is not intended merely for religious practice but assumes the state will be friendly to support the provisions such as the amputation of the hand of a thief. There are conflicts between American constitutional government and the operation of this as a law code. Yet, the complexity is that some forms of Islam support this as a binding code and others do not. Part of the problem again is how different groups might want this applied. The state of Alabama should be better served by staying away from this altogether.

[KeithE]

[KeithE]

I noted that there were only Republican judges on the ballot in Alabama which indicative one of the purposes of Amendment One I mentioned above.

[KeithE]

Amendment 1 passed 72% to 28%.

[Stephen Fox]

http://religiondispatches.org/6-overloo ... textbooks/

[Haruo]

Assuming there are some serious Jews in Alabama, how does this affect the Kashruth laws? Is it illegal to import foods into the state with a Ⓤ or Ⓚ on it?