Written by Don Byrd
On Sunday’s Meet the Press, presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson expressed the outrageous view that Islam is “not consistent with the Constitution,” and therefore a Muslim-American should not be “in charge of this nation.” In an attempt to clarify, his campaign spokesman Doug Watts made things worse, claiming there is “strong evidence” that the practice of Islam is, essentially, un-American. (Scroll down for complete quotes)
How can we be having this conversation in 2015?
The statements of Dr. Carson and his campaign are disturbing on many levels. But I want to respond with three thoughts/concerns.
First, what does he even mean? How can an entire faith, practiced peacefully by millions of Americans all across the country, be “inconsistent” with our Constitution?
Our Constitution protects religious exercise. Practicing one’s religion freely and without fear is an expression of our deepest American values, not a violation of them. If particular religious conduct (whether Muslim, Christian, Jewish, atheist, or any other religious belief) conflicts with a particular law, the judicial system can and does have neutral processes to handle it.
Second, as many others have pointed out, Article VI of the U.S. Constitution explicitly bars any religious test for office. What they usually do not bother to articulate is why.
Religious tests for office were commonplace in Colonial America and early American states. Forbidding adherents of some faiths from public office perpetuated institutional means of religious discrimination and ensured the practical continuation of an established state church. Early Baptists fought vigorously against this method of oppression, even if they themselves were allowed to hold public office, because they found it coercive and corrupting of faith.
Forcing a religious oath on someone who merely seeks full civic participation undermines our soul liberty, and it cheapens our confessions of faith. I want to be Baptist as a matter of choice, not because it confers any civic advantages. A religious test isn’t just harmful to those you exclude; it demeans the sanctity of the privileged faith as well.
Lastly, just because a president adheres to certain religious principles does not mean those personal religious commitments will be imposed on the country. With the election of John Kennedy in 1960, Americans (should have) put this issue to rest. Critics complained that his Catholic faith may direct his presidency rather than his loyalty to the Constitution. Kennedy explained that his Catholic devotion need not conflict with his oath of office. He was right.
We should judge candidates’ qualification for office based upon their policy ideas and their record of service, not the faith they claim. If a candidate supports objectionable policies, their candidacy should be opposed on those grounds.
Muslim-Americans are fully American. No faith renders an American any less so. That is the promise of our Constitution. It should be the aspiration of our candidates for office as well.
From the Meet the Press transcript:
CHUCK TODD: . . . Should a President’s faith matter? Should your faith matter to voters?
DR. BEN CARSON: Well, I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it’s inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the constitution, no problem.
CHUCK TODD: So do you believe that Islam is consistent with the constitution?
DR. BEN CARSON: No, I don’t, I do not.
CHUCK TODD: So you–
DR. BEN CARSON: I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.
NBC News report of the statement from Campaign spokesman Doug Watts:
“He has great respect for the Muslim community, but there is a huge gulf between the faith and practice of the Muslim faith, and our Constitution and American values,” Watts said. “That can be disputed,” Watts continued. “That can be debated. But there’s pretty strong evidence to that effect.”
Also see Brent Walker’s 2012 column “Signs we’re taking ‘no religious test’ seriously” and this short video on the Baptist heritage of religious liberty.
