The other day, I mentioned a resolution that passed the House which recognized the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and commended Muslims who practice their religion peacefully. Congressman Tim Walberg and 41 others couldn't bring themselves to vote yes on that symbolic piece of legislation, and instead voted "Present" in protest.

So why wouldn't Congressman Walberg vote for it? Was it for separation of church and state concerns, like some of you expressed in the comments? Of course not.

From a conservative source, we get this:

Among those who voted present on the resolution was Republican Tim Walberg of Michigan. "To offer respect for a major religion is one thing, but to offer respect for a major religion that has been behind the Islamic jihad, the radical jihad, that has sworn war upon the United States, its free allies and freedom in Iraq, is another thing," he stated.

(Emphasis added.)

Translation: All Muslims are terrorists.

That's exactly what he's saying. He can't support anything offering respect to Islam because he thinks all Muslims are terrorists-- or, at the very least, that they're encouraged by their religion to be terrorists.

Congressman Walberg, some time later this year, someone-- maybe even one of your fellow Republicans-- might want to pass a symbolic resolution recognizing Christianity as a "great religion" of the world, maybe some time around Christmas. Would you support that resolution?

Because aren't all Christians terrorists?

Aren't we all just like the KKK? They're certainly inspired by their faith, among other things, to carry out their violent and hateful acts.

Aren't we all like Eric Rudolph? It was his Christian faith that led him to bomb an abortion clinic, a gay and lesbian nightclub, and, of course, the Centennial Olympic Park.

For that matter, don't all Christians bomb abortion clinics? It seems like that's the thing they do.

Obviously, Christianity is a hateful, violent religion. To offer respect for a major religion is one thing, but to offer respect for a major religion that has been behind so much violence is another thing.

Congressman Walberg, I really, really try hard not to personally insult or attack you. But with this vote and your statement, I can only reach one conclusion: You're a bigot and an idiot. There are 1 billion Muslims in the world. Are you really going to refuse to show them respect because a tiny minority use violence?

Michigan's 7th District deserves better than this.

Labels: Faith and Politics, Issues, Tim Walberg