The Constitution & Sharia law

Jan 16, 2015 2 min read

To the editor:

Egypt’s president has called on the Muslim world to undergo a religious reformation. The question is, do organizations like CAIR and ISNA agree? This question has been posed in the media. This is a fair and responsible request. However, it must be acted upon by fair and responsible Muslim leaders wherever they are, and the sooner the better. That the overwhelming majority of Muslims in this country are honorable and law-abiding is not in dispute but it is time that they took action.

This would not be the first time that religions have undergone a reassessment of the beliefs and practices of a religion.

Religious history, especially the Catholic/Christian ones have held many synods or councils to better codify their dogma.

With the exponential growth of the Islamic terrorists perhaps such a council should be formed by the responsible leaders of the Islamic population.

Of further note to the United States, is it time that the laws of religion be addressed so they cannot oppose and take precedence over the U.S. Constitution.

This is not unusual, to wit: The entry of Utah into state hood was delayed because of the practices allowed under Mormon law: polygamy being the most noted.

That we recognize the belief of many religions does not automatically translate into giving that religion lawful sway over a portion of our population. France has given certain areas to Sharia law. These are areas outside the control of police and the government, and are designated as no-go zones. Other countries are facing similar questions of sovereignty. One can readily see how that places the government in an untenable position. Perhaps Congress should now reinforce what is and what is not allowed in respect to religious practices.

We are blessed in this country with one overarching legal system, which is supported, in the main, by the state systems. Any additional legal/religious system would create a mosaic of laws that would have as its only outcome, chaos.

Joseph L. Kibitlewski, PhD.

Cape Coral