What's your beef with Muhammed, America?

A couple of weeks ago, one of Justin's friends stopped by our apartment to say hello and to catch-up with my husband. For a few minutes they talked about the Army and about general military stuff (deployments, training, etc.), but then their conversation drifted into the realm of politics. Justin's friend was a bit put off to hear how my husband plans to vote for Barack Obama in November.

"Aren't you concerned about his Muslim background?" he asked.

My mouth almost dropped open. Seriously? Seriously?

First of all, Obama is not a Muslim and has never practiced Islam.

Second of all, why should it matter even if Obama was a Muslim? The prejudice exhibited by some Americans simply astounds me. It seems as if some of my countrymen believe:

Muslim = Terrorist
Muslim = Evil



Nearly one-fifth of human beings on this Earth are members of the Islamic faith. Are these people all terrorists? Are these people all evil and distrustful? Sure, a small portion of Islamic extremists hate America and would like nothing more than to see us bombed out and depleted, but these terrorists are in a tiny minority compared to the general populace of peaceful Muslims.

Personally, I don't care if my president is a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, pagan, or an atheist. I don't care if he or she worships the Great Oak Tree of Liberty. That is his business. Not mine. All I ask of a president is to keep his religion to himself and to perform to the best of his abilities.

So please, America, stop haranguing Obama over his supposed "Muslim background." It just makes us look like a bunch of close-minded bigots.