COMMENTARY: American values, patriotism and radical Muslims?

With the recent murders of 49 people in Orlando, it’s time to out the radicals. During the GOP presidential primary campaign, a question was asked of then-presidential candidate Ben Carson if he would advocate for a Muslim as president of the United States. He said, “If Muslims can’t accept the United States of America way of life and what it stands for, then, Americans are not ready for a Muslim president. Subsequent to his response, some in the agenda-driven media launched a blitz to discredit Dr. Carson. Several demanded he withdraw from the race and issue a “concession speech.” He stood his ground, and rightly so.

While our Constitution says religion plays no role in an election for president, Dr. Carson has it correct. When Americans better comprehend Muslim religious tenets and when they can more readily differentiate between assimilated American Muslims versus “radical” Muslims, then, views may change.

In the 1960s, this Catholic view changed with Americans as demonstrated by the election of former President John F. Kennedy. America has successfully proven, for over 200 years, they can assimilate many aspects of religious differences and live side by side – peacefully – for the most part.

While the U.S. is a country with a mosaic of religions, keep in mind, our nation was predominantly former on Christianity and Bible teachings. What also is important is for us and others throughout the world to realize how Christianity and Bible teachings and our sense of patriotism reflect our American values.

First, let’s talk about America and patriotism: Do you remember real American patriotism? I remember when “socialism” was a dirty word. When you left your bike on the sidewalk and your front doors were unlocked.

When our flag was a sacred symbol, when the clergy actually talked about religion, when songs had a tune and words made sense, when our government stood up for Americans, anywhere in the world, when people knew what the Fourth of July and Christmas stood for, when you bragged about your hometown and home state, and when people expected less and valued what they had more, and when the poor were too proud to take charity. I remember when you were proud to say America is the best country in the world.

Patriotism was and is more than just that. It reflects our true country’s deep sense of values and self-respect instilled in us by family, the Bible, and their teachings. You knew that the law would be enforced and that your safety would be protected; law meant justice and you felt a shiver of awe and respect at the sight of a policeman who, like our volunteer firemen and women, put their lives on the line each and every time they respond to the call to service. We recognized out lands were filled with brave, proud, confident, and hard-working people.

I remember when politicians proclaimed their patriotism and meant it. So, with that in mind, now, comprehend this: The radical Muslim-led religious war is bigger than we know or understand and that radical Muslims are intent on destroying us and our country.

NON-radical Muslims around the world, many of them living in our country, believe in America and what she stands for. But they are not acting nor speaking up loudly enough about the extremists of their religion. Let’s look back at radical (extremist) Muslims who have made life dangerous and miserable for Americans and the rest of the world. Who are these radicals?

The shoe bomber was a Muslim, the Beltway snipers were Muslims, the Boston Marathon bombers were Muslims, the USS Cole bombers were Muslims, the first World Trade Center bombers were Muslims, the Sept. 11, 2001, airline hijackers were Muslims, the Pan Am Flight 93 bombers were Muslims, the London subway bombers were Muslims, the Libyan U.S. Embassy attack was by Muslims, the Iranian Embassy takeover were Muslims, and the Madrid train bombers were Muslims.

The Buenos Aires suicide bombers were Muslims, the Israeli Olympic Team attackers were Muslims, the Beirut U.S. Embassy bombers were Muslims. And this June, Omar Mateen, a radical Muslim, murdered 49 people in Orlando. My point: Radical Muslims are not interested in assimilating into our culture nor values. So, can radical Muslims be good Americans? I think not!

Religiously? No. Why? Because no other religion is accepted by his Allah. Politically? No, because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan. Theologically? No. Why? Their allegiance is to Allah, the moon god of Arabia, and no other religion is accepted by Allah. Socially? No, because their allegiance forbids them (him) to make friends with Christians or Jews. Domestically? No, because a Muslim man is instructed to marry four women and beat and scourge his wife if she disobeys him (Quran 4:34).

Intellectually? No, because he cannot accept the American Constitution based on biblical principles, and [a] Muslim man believes the Bible to be corrupt. Philosophically, no, because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran do not allow freedom of religion and expression. Spiritually? No. When you and I declare “one nation under God,” the Christian God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly Father, nor is he ever called “love” in the Quran’s 99 names.

Thus, democracy and Islam cannot coexist. Remember, every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic. None is democratic.

The Muslim extremists have repeatedly said “Death to America” and “they will destroy us from within.” So, as some of our political leaders understand, freedom is NOT free! We need to be more vigilant and our U.S. armed forces (and policemen and firemen) need us, and we need them, more than ever. As such, Muslims in America should not be surprised that we are suspicious of them, as well.

Remember what true patriotism stands for. If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. When you stand to salute our flag or celebrate our veterans or our Memorial Day and July 4th holidays, stand tall and let the world know – the silent majority is awake. It’s time for America and the world to wake up. The religious war is bigger than you know or understand.

EDITOR’S NOTE: John C. Still, a resident of Rehoboth Beach, was a 20-year member of the Delaware Senate and served as Senate Minority Leader from 2002 to 2006. In a footnote to this essay, he noted “Some info gleaned from the internet.”