Ron Ramsey, Tenn. Lt. Gov: Islam May Not Be A Religion (VIDEO)

At a campaign event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lieutenant Governor and gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey (R) said that freedom of speech, guaranteed by the First Amendment, may not apply to Islam because it could be considered "a cult."

During a question and answer session, an attendee said that he was concerned with an "invasion" from "the Muslims." Ramsey responded that the uproar over a "mosque" (in reality, the expansion of an existing Islamic community center) is justified because Sharia law is "scary":

... I've been trying to learn about Sharia law. I've been trying to learn what it is: not good, if that's what's going on. You can even argue whether being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, a way of life, or a cult -- whatever you want to call it -- and we do protect our religions. But at the same time, this is something that we are going to have to face.

Ramsey, who trails Rep. Zach Wamp in the Republican primary, said that he was "all about the freedom of religion," but "you cross the line when they start trying to bring Sharia law into the United States."

WATCH: Ron Ramsey explain why he is opposed to the Murfreesboro Islamic Center (question begins at the 3:08 mark):

In an e-mail to Talking Points Memo, Ramsey elaborated on his thoughts on one of the world's oldest religions:

"My concern is that far too much of Islam has come to resemble a violent political philosophy more than peace-loving religion," he said in an email. "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."

The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has become a target for conservatives after a 52,000 square foot expansion was approved. Lou Ann Zelenik, a Republican candidate running for Congress, called the center an "Islamic training center," the AP reported Saturday. Over 250 Muslim families live in the community.

Comments

[niradesigns]

06:38 AM on 08/30/2010

This man is an ignorant individual and he is showing how stupid he is everytime he opens his mouth.

[tselby]

09:39 PM on 08/29/2010

Sad that an elected official isn't intelligent enough to read and understand all of the First Amendment.

[RockyMissouri]

03:26 PM on 08/29/2010

Is this man a grade school graduate..? Frankly, I would be embarrassed to make such an ignorant statement.

[goodpyr]

02:22 PM on 08/29/2010

Considering this fool's statement,I could probably prove this guy is a BIGOT a lot faster than
he can prove that Islam is a cult.
It takes other bigots to elect a bigot to office.

[yavuz]

04:34 PM on 08/04/2010

muslims invading tennessee? come on!

[B Kleitz]

10:36 PM on 08/29/2010

Actually, I hope they don't take Tennessee. It's at least pretty there...I live in Alabama...they are welcome to invade it instead.
This place really sucks and the religious zealots who live down here would probably get along real well with the Taliban.

[minusjason]

11:49 PM on 08/03/2010

What is this line they've been peddling lately about Muslims trying to bring Sharia law into the United States? I predict we're going to hear a lot more about this, with Kagan saying it makes good sense to look to foreign laws for inspiration. I think that's going to be one of their new big lines. But I just don't know where it comes from.

[yavuz]

04:35 PM on 08/04/2010

yes, the line is everywhere. you can see it is organized and well directed, a well-oiled propaganda machine playing to the fears of americans: they are here to change your way of life!

[spatoola]

09:37 PM on 08/03/2010

Palin should endorse this special needs candidate.

[AbeMartin]

10:19 AM on 08/03/2010

And Mr. Ramsey came to this revelation, when? Has he read the Qu'ran? Has he engaged any Muslims in a discussion about how that religion differs but reflects his professed Methodism? And if Islam, is by his definition a "cult" (which is generally characterized by a body of "secret" knowledge and "secret rituals") How does he characterize some of the Primitive Baptist Church's in his state that encourage members to find ecstasy while handling poisonous serpents and speaking in tongues? How does he characterize the Church of Latter Day Saints? How does he characterize the Church of Scientology?

His rant against Islam and, by extension, all Muslims, is racial and hateful.

[egockel]

01:14 AM on 07/30/2010

make fun if you will. Sense the concern of the questioner.. the governor is representing his constituents. Need he educate them, perhaps, but so should the mainstream press.

[tselby]

09:37 PM on 08/29/2010

You should learn to read.

[Fatima Ali]

06:12 AM on 07/29/2010

Interesting I wasn't aware that 1.6 billion Muslims including myself were participating in a cult,good to know I guess. Last time, I checked freedom of religion is a guaranteed right provided in the religion clause of the First Amendment therefore, if a practicing Muslim wants to build a mosque or a community center for the purpose of studying Islam so be it, there's no harm being done.Btw, LMAO @ the attendee:"Invasion from the Muslims",as if we're Dark Vader's minions or something.

[derived]

09:54 AM on 07/29/2010

dun dun dun dun daaa dun dun daaa dun.

Maybe the domes on the mosques are our yet-unlaunched deathstars? :D

[Raigerzero]

11:18 AM on 07/29/2010

As bad as that sounds, that would be really awesome.

[Raigerzero]

11:18 AM on 07/29/2010

#1 Fan

[Hontas Farmer]

04:27 AM on 07/29/2010

Someone needs to tell these people that at least 25% of the "Muslim Invaders" are African American. Or maybe they know that and think of this as a proxy for hating blacks again.

[derived]

09:50 AM on 07/29/2010

Oh I'm sure they know that. Fear of Muslims is just a cover for Xenophobia. Everyone who approaches me hatefully about Islam assumes several things:

1) I don't speak English well
2) I'm an immigrant
3) I'm married and oppressed

I'm a freaking white woman wearing hijab! I still look like a white woman, I still talk like a white woman (unfortunately lol), and I still walk like a white woman. Ain't no one in the mosque coming up to me and saying "oh are you from Saudi?" They all know I'm white lol.

I'm not complaining, just pointing out the racism they approach me with. Which is funny yet foreign to me, since I never really encountered racism before first-hand.

[omobob]

10:03 PM on 07/28/2010

"At a campaign event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lieutenant Governor and gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey (R) said that freedom of speech, guaranteed by the First Amendment, may not apply to Islam because it could be considered "a cult." You dont think the candidate is pandering to his constituency do you? I suppose the next sermon will be on Christian mercy and forgiveness? I’m sure later he’ll get to some bread and butter issues. Oh wait, he’s a republican. never mind.

[RitaS]

08:48 PM on 07/28/2010

Just WHO the H does Lieutenant Governor and gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey (R) THINK he is in his determination that Islam is NOT a religion???? Is he stepping into his God's shoes & determining WHAT is right or WHAT is wrong when it comes religion outside of his own personal belief???

[Mary Crook]

05:57 PM on 07/28/2010

A little word substitution perhaps??

"My concern is that far too much of RELIGION has come to resemble a violent political philosophy more than peace-loving religion," "It's time for American RELIGIOUS NUTS who love this country to publicly renounce THEIR ARROGANT FAITH IN A SKY DADDY and to drum those who seek to do America harm out of their faith community."

[ForAmericaAndRoosevelt]

05:03 PM on 07/28/2010

And it's time for *Americans*, period, to publicly renounce people like you, right, Governor?

[bekhuff]

07:18 PM on 08/29/2010

Yep. And just like crazies elsewhere in the world, this guy has fans and followers.