Texas Rep. Leo Berman Revives Fear Of Sharia With Bill That Would Ban 'Religious Or Cultural Law'

Texas state Rep. Leo Berman (R), a lawmaker best known for his anti-Obama rhetoric and legislative proposal, has turned his eyes on a new risk -- the creeping threat of "religious or cultural law," and perhaps most importantly, Sharia.

Berman's legislation would mandate that "A court of this state may not enforce, consider, or apply any religious or cultural law." Though it includes no direct mention of "Sharia," a subsequent interview would suggest that Berman, like other Republicans such as Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle, maintains some unwarranted fear that Islamic law is cropping up in America.

"A lot of federal courts are referring to international courts and laws of other countries. We want to make sure our courts are not doing this, especially in regards to cultural laws," Berman said, according to The American Independent. "If that includes Sharia law, then so be it."

A law targeted more expressly at Sharia in Oklahoma was struck down by a federal judge last year. U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange ruled that the measure, designed to prohibit any consideration of Sharia law in courts and voted upon by nearly 70 percent of Oklahomans in November, was an infringement on First Amendment rights.

Comments

[Jackyldo]

09:03 AM on 02/13/2011

Berman's legislation would mandate that "A court of this state may not enforce, consider, or apply any religious or cultural law."

Mr. Berman tear down those 10 commandments from the courtroom as well.. Okay?

[Jackyldo]

09:01 AM on 02/13/2011

Unless it's fundamentalist Christian it ain't no good,,,, or so they think in Tejas ??

Is it too late to cede them back to Mexico ?

[Mark Cappuccio]

04:41 PM on 01/31/2011

I think it's time for this guy to either to move on to real issues concerning, or just gve it up. Seems he's determined to become a laughingstock.

[rascalofearth]

09:47 PM on 01/26/2011

so these folks would oppose so called covenant marriages or does it only apply to minority cult laws? and does this mean states would be banned from closing stores and bars on sundays?

[keramos]

09:07 AM on 01/18/2011

He thought they were talking about Sahara law mandating more deserts in Texas.

[mrmikes]

08:03 AM on 01/18/2011

Berman the birther is leading the fight against imaginary cultural threats armed with imaginary fear. The Kenyan are coming, no the mooslims are coming.

[William Watson]

07:24 AM on 01/18/2011

Another person who got elected to public office despite, obviously, never really reading the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Otherwise he'd know we already have freedom from religious laws.

[Taylor123]

04:48 AM on 01/18/2011

I don't understand...is this a problem in Oklahoma? I can understand (in theory) the preemption of...lets say an "honor killing" defense in court which happens but is not even that common in the Middle East and no judge in the bar would tolerate.

Is this anything more then one hick playing "I hate Muslims more then thou" with the next?

[juanjo]

04:23 AM on 01/18/2011

Interesting concept. Such a law would ban many of the religious/cultural laws advocated by certain groups arguing against same sex marriage for example. If California had such a law in place when the Mormons and Catholics put Proposition 8 on the ballot then the courts would have been obliged to remove it from the ballot or invalidate its results since it was clearly based upon Christian cultural superstitions about same sex couples.

[drummer510]

02:31 AM on 01/18/2011

This guy needs to retire to the nursing home, ASAP! What are theses ridiculous notions that keep surfacing? does anybody believe that this " utter nonsense" is going to benefit America or Americans? I didn't think so, on the contrary, we are hated as it is, thanks to the Updated Version of the Geneva Convention, GW, Cheny.Rumsfeld. John Yoo and the rest of the criminals in the previous administration. Just pathetic

[KriTiKiT]

02:19 AM on 01/18/2011

HA... I love the fact that the texas GOP can't think anything through... pass it...  lets get rid of smoke laws, drinking bans, gambeling bans, OH BOY... LOL can't wait

[johnmorgan]

10:48 PM on 01/17/2011

What about the yahoos who want all laws based on the Bible? I bet Berman wouldn't be against that.

Berman is a birther. He was interviewed by Anderson Cooper about Obama's place of birth, and Cooper totally destroyed Berman's arguments. Berman had NO facts or logic whatsoever, and Cooper had all of the facts at his fingertips. Berman looked like a complete fool.

It's great to see that as our country falls apart, Berman is still finding straw men to attack.

[zaeem1701]

10:43 PM on 01/17/2011

As far as I'm aware all laws are cultural, that is assuming that culture remains the beliefs, traditions and values of a society, so it seems he's shot himself in the foot there.

As for the establishment of Religious laws, I had to go to the constitution for this one.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

In certain respects it's already illegal if it becomes the actual law of the land. The only way possible for it to become law if it's not called Sharia law (thus disassociating it with any religion). Otherwise it violates the 1st part of the first Amendment. My guess would be that the right to practice Sharia law is perfectly acceptable so long as the individual only imposes it on themselves.

[dragonladywaltham]

09:34 PM on 01/17/2011

Hope this includes the religious right.

[fresberg]

08:10 PM on 01/17/2011

Does this mean we have to give up holidays for Christmas and Easter?