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<H1>Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey Questions Whether Islam is a Religion</H1>
<DIV class=byline>Posted by <A
href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8300-503544_162-503544.html?contributor=10361558">Brian
Montopoli</A> <SPAN class=commentTease><A class="linkIcon comments"
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comments</A> </SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV style="WIDTH: 370px"
class="cnet-image-div image-CBSNEWS_XBL float-left"><IMG class=cnet-image
alt="" src="http://www.cbsnews.com/i/tim//2010/07/26/Ron_Ramsey_370x278.jpg"
width=370 height=278>
<P class=image-caption>Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey</P><SPAN
class=image-credit>(Credit: www.teamronramsey.com)</SPAN> </DIV>
<P>Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, a Republican competing in the GOP
gubernatorial primary, said on July 14th that he is unsure if Islam is really
a religion, suggesting that it could be a "cult." </P>
<P></P>
<P>As TPM DC, which <A
href="http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/07/tennessee-lt-gov-religious-freedom-doesnt-count-if-youre-muslim-video.php">reported
on the video </A>after it was <A
href="http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2010/07/16/ramsey-argues-freedom-of-religion-doesnt-apply-to-muslims">posted
by the Nashville Scene</A>, notes, Islam is the world's second-largest
religion. </P>
<P></P>
<P>Asked about the "threat invading our country from Muslims," Ramsey first
said that he is "all about freedom of religion," proclaiming fealty to the
first amendment to the Constitution. But he went on to add that "you cross the
line when they start bringing Sharia Law in the state of Tennessee, the United
States." </P>
<P></P>
<P>"Now, you could even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion,
or is it a nationality, way of life, a cult, whatever you want to call it,"
Ramsey said. "But certainly we do protect our religions, but at the same time,
this is something we are going to have to face."</P><!--pagebreak-->
<P></P>
<P></P>
<DIV style="MARGIN: 0pt 14px 15px 0pt; FLOAT: left">
<OBJECT width=384 height=231><PARAM NAME="movie" VALUE="http://www.youtube.com/v/2BkdofiIm0g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><PARAM NAME="allowFullScreen" VALUE="true"><PARAM NAME="allowScriptAccess" VALUE="always">
<embed
src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2BkdofiIm0g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"
allowscriptaccess="always" height="231" width="384"></OBJECT></DIV>It is not
clear what Ramsey's suggestion that Sharia Law is being introduced in the
United States, though he seems to be tying it to a move to open a Muslim
community center in Hamilton County. (He calls it a mosque.)
<P></P>
<P></P>
<P>In an email to TPMDC, Ramsey wrote that "my concern is that far too much of
Islam has come to resemble a violent political philosophy more than
peace-loving religion. It's time for American Muslims who love this country to
publicly renounce violent jihadism and to drum those who seek to do America
harm out of their faith community."</P>
<P></P>
<P>You can see Ramsey's comments at left. His discussion of Islam starts
shortly after the 3:00 mark.The video includes a cut, though his full response
to the question appears intact and Ramsey's campaign did not take issue with
the recording. </P></DIV></FONT></LI></UL></DIV>
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