(Submitted 5/6/10 to Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN, not published.)
COUNTERPOINT:
I disagree with Stephen B. Young (“Islamic and Western philosophy aren’t so far apart”, April 28, 2010) where he argued that we Minnesotans have no reason to fear the emergence of Muslims in our state.
The reason we Minnesotans have to fear the emergence of Muslims in our State is because Muslims believe in Islam and Islam believes that Mosque (Church) and State must be integrated.
Minnesotans believe that Church (Mosque) and State must be separate.
The Constitution of the United States of America that is endorsed by the many individual States is testament to this strong belief system in all Americans including Minnesotans.
Minnesotans believe this so strongly that they will not compromise on it.
But.
Guess what.
Muslims believe their Mosque and State inseparability so strongly that they will not compromise on it either.
The many Islamic Theocracies in the Middle East are a testament to this strong belief system of Islam.
Hence, the source of our rational fear. As Islam’s Muslims grow and become stronger and stronger they could overpower Minnesotans and demand that Church and State be fused into a Theocracy. Then if the remaining Minnesotans refused to roll over and just do it there could be armed conflict in our streets and byways.
There could even be a civil war over it.
So until and unless the Muslims in Minnesota form a new faction for themselves apart from Main Stream Islam all Minnesotans logically should fear their emergence here in this State.
However, when the Minnesota Muslims do form their new faction and let the rest of us know about it this will be our signal that we can breathe a sigh of relief and let our guard down a bit. At least enough to give them a chance to form their new group into a full fledged Separation of Church and State American religion.
I absolutely do not mean to be flippant here but if the Minnesotan Muslims need a temporary name until a leader among them emerges to carry out such a reformation they can call themselves Luthlams after that great religious reformer Martin Luther for whom many Minnesotans here today named their religion after.
A religion let me hasten to add that believes absolutely in the separation of church and state in spite of the fact that its practitioners sometimes imply or subtly communicate that they don’t.
Minnesota Muslims should not be fooled by this sometimes wimpy manner of Minnesotans as it is an unfortunate byproduct of what has come to be known as Minnesota Nice.
Make no mistake about it, Minnesotans—in 100% agreement with all Americans--believe in the Separation of Church and State and will not tolerate anyone or any group trying to force them into its opposite.