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 redress of grievances. First Amendment, United States Constitution
Does this mean that a Muslim can be an American citizen and meet the qualifications to serve as a member of Congress, if elected?
Yes, it does.
Muslims were around when the Constitution was written and the founding fathers, particularly those who were key in authoring the Bill of Rights, were very much aware of the context of the term "religion" when they determined that the United States would not have an officially endorsed "state church" because the country was already too diverse to make it practical, including the presence of a large number of people not affiliated with any religious body or group. The intentions of the founders were quite clear in several interpretations, including Thomas Jefferson's noted letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut in which he used the term "wall of separation" between church and state.
What that means is that the government does not endorse or favor persons based on their religious beliefs, nor does it endorse or favor one religion over another. From a Christian perspective, that means churches are free to operate as they see fit, with no government connection, including paying taxes, so long as they do not cross over into "establishment" territory and attempt to influence government in their favor. Likewise, the government does not restrict religious activity or act in a manner that either shows partiality toward those of a particular religion or restricts religious activity of any particular religion.
So, Can a Muslim Serve in Congress?
Muslims who are either born American citizens or who become naturalized citizens can indeed serve in Congress if their constituents elect them to do so. There is no religious test for American citizenship and being a Muslim is not being anti-American. There are currently three Muslims in Congress, two women, including Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Andre Carson of Indiana. The first Muslim elected to Congress was Keith Ellison, of Minnesota, in 2006. There has been no indication whatsoever than any of them were anything but loyal American citizens with opinions about how government should operate.
Being either Christian or Protestant, while both of those labels have dominated the membership of Congress, is not a requirement to run, get elected or serve. About a fourth of the Congress in any given year is not affiliated with a Christian church or denomination, most belonging to another religious group including Muslims along with Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons and "unaffiliated." What's interesting is that those who claim the country is being "taken over" (by whom, we're not exactly sure, but for the sake of discussion, O.K.) don't acknowledge that white Protestant Christians are overwhelmingly over-represented in Congress compared to their numbers in the culture at large, and those who claim no religious affiliation at all, comprising about 25% of the American population, along with those who are members of other religious groups, another 15%, are way under-represented in proportion to their size in the population at large.
On to the Point, A Colorado Representative Needs a Lesson in Constitutionally Guaranteed Rights
The comments made recently by Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert, calling Congresswoman Ilhan Omar a member of the "Jihad squad" and making jokes about her religious beliefs were inexcusable for a member of Congress. There's no question that's an abuse of the privilege of free speech. And as a member of Congress, if indeed she has the right to make such an abhorrent statement, there's an expected level of professional conduct, and an expectation of having better judgment, in making a statement like that about a colleague no matter how much you might disagree with her politics. The religious and racial bigotry demonstrated in those remarks disqualify her as a member of the House of Representatives.
In exercising "free speech," a person with integrity who is a member of Congress should show respect for the other members, regardless of their religious beliefs, cultural background, race or ethnicity. Boebert's nasty comments may qualify as free speech, but it is also a demonstration of deplorable behavior, lacking the kind of restraint that a qualified member of Congress should have for other people, not just their colleagues. Representative Omar has demonstrated both integrity and restraint in making her political opinion known. Opposing actions and policies related to the nation of Israel is not "anti-semitic" by any definition of the term and Omar has not ridiculed or belittled Jewish people because of their race or religion.
There is, unfortunately, no test or assessment of the Constitutional knowledge of a candidate for office. It doesn't seem likely, especially these days, that voters would hold their representatives or senators accountable to it anyway. Most Americans are prejudiced against Muslims simply because of a very limited knowledge of the history of the Middle East. Regardless, people who have integrity and morals, and a measure of self-control, don't insult someone else's religion.
Options are Limited
I would hope that there are enough sensible voters in Boebert's redrawn district to simply send her home at the end of this term. Pehaps there are enough of them who have now seen her lack of integrity and her complete ignorance of the Constitution to vote her out. I see little to nothing that she has done politically to represent her constituents except to obstruct legislation from a partisan perspective that will benefit them by creating jobs and improving local infrastructure. I'm sure there are those within her district who are just as bigoted and prejudiced as she is who think that kind of behavior is just fine. But I would hope that there is a vast majority who are a little more educated, sensitive and kind, and who understand that someone's faith is a personal matter. Christians should certainly feel that way, and should see this deplorable behavior for what it is--disqualifying Boebert from service in Congress. Vote her out.
Boebert, in hurling insults at Representative Omar, has attacked an American core value. This country was built by immigrants and slaves and welcoming the oppressed from around the world is who we are and what we do. Representative Omar's family escaped anarchic Somalia and came to America to have the opportunity to build a better life, and they succeeded. Listening to her talk and reading some of what she's written and shared tells me that this is exactly the kind of person we need in government, someone who loves and appreciates America and who knows what it is like to live in an anarchic, chaotic country.
Boebert is just another of Trump's swamp creatures. Pull the plug and drain the swamp.
Author's Note: Critics of Representative Ilhan Omar generally focus on remarks she once made which included both Israel and the United States lumped together with Hamas, the Taliban and Afghanistan. Taken in their context, the comments are neither Anti-American nor Anti-Semitic by any common definition of either term. The comments were respectful, reflect her perspective and point to specific, verifiable incidents. Her behavior and the character and integrity she displays relative to the office she holds is exemplary, in contrast to the mouthy, brash, bigotry of Lauren Boebert.
Boebert has been implicated, or at least there are allegations supported by evidence, that she was pointing out the location of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the January 6 Trump insurrection. If that's the case, then in addition to her complete lack of moral character, and disrespect for the sanctity of human life, doesn't that make her a jihadist? Willingness to do physical harm to stop political opponents from representing their constituents is as immoral and despicable as it gets.
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