So what if Obama was Muslim?

Something that's been bothering me over the course of this election is the way in which the religion card has been played. Essentially, candidates have tried to out-Christian others. There have been those who have accused Obama of being Muslim, and then there are those who still believe that Obama is Muslim.

This raises the question: so what if he was? Why have we become complacent with setting up an unConstitutional system saying that to run for public office, you must be Christian? A survey of the Constitution's Article VI clearly states otherwise.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. [emphasis mine]

I am reminded of a blog entry on The Lutheran Zephyr, one of many blogs I read. In an 11 October 2008 entry, the author raises two points. First, it is assumed that the United States is a Christian nation. (An op-ed in the 7 October 2007 edition of the New York Times argues that a nation of Christians is not a Christian nation.) Second, by corollary, we need Christian politicians to lead this nation. To what does this lead? The author states this:

It is a direct affront to Jews, Muslims, and other non-Christians in our country. The more our candidates perpetuate - rather than challenge, rather than change (to use Obama's word) - the faith-based myopia of national identity, the harder we make it for religious minorities - or for Christians who do not want to play the faith-based game of identity politics - to claim their rightful place in the American democracy. (from "'Barack Obama is a strong, Christian family man'", 11 October 2008)

This leads to the next point: on a recent edition of her namesake show, Campbell Brown offers commentary on this unconstitutional setup that has been created but not challenged.

if you cannot see the video, click here

When did it matter? Why does it matter? It shouldn't, but perhaps this is just being too idealist.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen

PS In the coming days, I'll post a blog entry offering my opinions on why some use the term "liberal" as if it's one of the Seven Words (homage to the late George Carlin).