Mike Brewer

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The simple fact of the matter is, all groups and even all individuals try on a regular and consistent basis to advance their own agendas. You do it, I do it, we all do it. Any time you ask for the things that are important to you, any time you cast a vote, and any time you donate to a cause or charity, you're taking steps to advance the ideas you believe are important. American Muslims aren't parading around on the Capitol to try and turn the Supreme Court into a Sharia Court. The people I've been talking to here haven't been rampaging around or even writing letters to Congress when they are insulted. That was the point of my last entry about the class. These folks appear to me to be very tolerant, open-minded people who are grateful to live in a country in which they can practice their faith so freely and still have the luxuries in life that places like Saudi, Iran, and others simply don't afford them. The idea that there's a vast Muslim conspiracy trying to "stealth" its way into the American system of justice is something you ought ot look at from the other side. If someone, for example, tried to insinuate that America was trying to spread Americanism and take over the justice systems, economies, etc. of Iraq and Afghanistan, you'd likely argue that they were being ridiculous. I certainly would. Likewise, if you argued that liberals wanted to advance government rule over everything and institute a brand of communism-by-stealth, I'd disagree. If you argued that Conservatives were trying to institute a mandatory Christian faith in this country and outlaw scientific ideas like evolution, I'd say you were mistaken. Likewise, I think you are mistaken when you argue that "Muslims" are trying to supplant American ideals and institutions just because they try to advance the ideas and agendas that are important to them.

Advancing our own agendas is one of the things guaranteed us by the Constitution. It's what "petition[ing] the government for a redress of grievances" is all about. We have the right to approach our government and suggest the things that are important to us, no matter how small a group of "us" there might be. We have the right to assemble and try to sway popular opinion in our direction, too. It's not divisive, and it isn't wrong. It is a God-given right - inalienable, one might say - that makes up one of the most critical elements of our country's foundation.

I am not going to argue that there aren't any Muslims out there trying to remake America in an Islamic image. I'm sure there are. But I would strongly caution you to look at your own agendas and your own motives and see if it's fair to apply your criticisms of others to yourself from time to time. Are you nefariously trying to "advance your own agendas by stealth" when you vote? You are surely voting for things others don't like. Since almost nothing in this country passes the popular vote unanymously, that means that to some others, you are surely trying to supplant their best interests and replace them with your own, doesn't it?

I think one of the first steps in this whole process of understanding is taking a good hard look at the overall picture from above. Chances are, "they" see us in much the same way as we see "them." No matter who "they are." It's the willingness to dismiss others as deceitful, dishonest, or even just inferior somehow that makes mutual respect and understanding so tough to come by.