Keith Ellison represents the 55418 in Congress. He’s the first Muslim to serve there. Ellison made some headlines recently for crying—really, he shed tears on camera—in a Congressional hearing over the perceived demonization of Muslims in the United States. He feels that Islam is mis-characterized and Muslims can be American heroes just like anyone else.
Ellison is outspoken about the rights of not only Muslims, but of women and many minority categories. Including homosexuals. He believes that gays deserve the whole raft of privileges granted to non-gay people. Like the right to marry.
Mr Ellison is a proud Progressive. But the Prog agenda is at odds with the Holy Koran. Under Islam, not even “radical” Islam, homosexuality is a crime against G-d. Gayness is punishable by death. So the matter of their right to marry is moot.
It is not possible to serve two masters. Is Ellison a Muslim? Or is he a Progressive?
It’s not just a matter of overlooking some aspects of politics in favor of a greater good. There is no compromise with death. And Ellison actively, aggressively (and tearfully) advocates for the rights of both factions.
The 55418 is lucky to have such a morally and philosophically flexible Representative.
Comments
Re: Ellison’s on Their Side
Let me be up front that I am no scholar on Islam. that being said, I find it odd that Mr. Ellison has such a "western" name if he is, in fact, a devout Muslim. Doesn't that religion require a name change upon conversion a la Cat Stevens, Cassius Clay, etc?
Ellison’s Faith
Ellison made the Hajj a couple of years back. He qualified as sufficiently devout to enter Mecca, one of the worlds most closed cities.
Being no scholar of Islam myself, I wonder how they deny the homosexuality that is inevitable when tens of thousands of men gather.
Also of note from the Wikipedia entry:
The Reiigion of Peace does not immunize the faithful against the madness of crowds.