FOR THE LOVE OF GOD (OR ALLAH AS I CALL HIM)
The Indianapolis Star this morning has a long-piece on 7th District Congressional candidate Andre Carson and the fact that he is a Muslim. There has been a lot of speculation about what kind of Muslim Carson actually is, especially since Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan spoke at the late Julia Carson’s funeral.
As much as some people would like to think, Carson is not a Nation of Islam guy. You will not see him selling bean pies and Final Call newspapers at 38th & Keystone in a wool suit and wearing a bow tie. (If you know what a bean pie is this line is even funnier.) Carson is at best more in the mold of Wallace D. Muhammad, which incorporates a more orthodox less political version of Islam.
I can speak to all this because I was born a Muslim. My parents converted in the 1960s before I was born and so I inherited it. I’m not the most practicing follower; I love Scotch, cigars and a good bacon cheeseburger. But I do understand the difference between the various sects and divisions.
To note vote for Carson because he is a Muslim is the same as not voting for Mitt Romney because he was a Mormon. The founding fathers were pretty sharp guys with not wanting a religious test for anyone to hold public office. To solely judge an individual based on their faith is a bad idea. Religion can gives us an idea about the candidate, but it is just a facet.
It is their position on issues and the leadership they can provide should be the true test of whether they are worthy of your vote.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Well Abdul, I’m with you on the idea that we should not be worrying about Andre’s religious background. Personally I was offended that the Star gave so much time to Mr. Carson at all. Those with enquiring minds want to know if the opposition in this race will be afforded the same free campaigning as was given to Andre. Somehow I doubt it.
The Star has consistently supported the Carson “dynasty” (if you will) since the paper was bought out by Gannett a few years back. I have to wonder if the Carson political machine doesn’t have pictures somewhere of Dennis Ryerson and a goat doing the unthinkable.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I think that Andre being a Muslim has endeared him to me even more. I am Jewish, born raised and currently practicing! For me, I feel I can trust a person more who is godly as opposed to someone who is not. Not to say that atheists are bad, I’m just saying that for me (and my vote,) it important for someone to prescribe to a faith and follow G-D (or what ever name she goes by.) Andre seems like a smart guy and I don’t think that he is too close to Louis Farrakhan, I mean come on – the guy is running for office. Anyone who runs for office and truly wants to win will not associate with a hater like Farrakhan. Farrakhan is too polarizing and for a predominantly white and Christian city like Indy. Andre would be smart to distance himself from people like that!!!