“I don’t want anybody to persecute any religion including Islam, but we have a duty as Americans to understand that they intend to take us over and compel us to become Islamic,” Lee Douglas, anti-Shariah activist.

Is Tennessee about to fall under Shariah law? You would think so by some of the political rhetoric being used in the state. According to this report from NPR Republicans are having to explain to fellow Republicans why they hired a Muslim staff person, or why they do not distance themselves from Islam. We should all be grateful to the Republicans who hold their ground against extremists from the right. I have no doubt that the people of Tennessee will do the right thing. But I also know every fear campaign that happens leaves us with a less thoughtful electorate. And every time any group of human being is used as a scapegoat for political or religious purposes, the lives of the people in that group are put in danger.

http://www.npr.org/2012/09/03/159378918/fears-about-shariah-law-take-hold-in-tennessee?ps=view&ec=mostpopular