Santorum's Sharia Law

Rick Santorum, the Christian Jihadist

I recently read an article on cnn.com about Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum (to see full article, click here). It goes in depth on how he wants to impose a Sharia law in America, like what many Middle Eastern governments, including the Taliban in Afghanistan and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran, have done. The only difference is that Santorum's Sharia law would be based on Judeo-Christian values, not Islamic. 

The author, Dean Obeidallah, makes many good points. He points out Santorum's track record of making controversial remarks. For instance, Santorum wants to outlaw porn and contraception. 100%, no exceptions. From a religious point of view, I agree with Santorum's beliefs on not watching porn and not using contraception. But when it comes to a political point of view, it is absolutely ludicrous to think that he has the right to ban people from doing something that doesn't harm anyone. Drugs are outlawed because they cause serious health issues. Fireworks and guns (without permits) are illegal because when in the wrong hands, they can be deadly. My mind simply cannot fathom how condoms and dirty movies could ever be placed in the same category as explosives, firearms and narcotics. (Again, I am in no way justifying the watching of porn or usage of contraception, I'm simply making a point). 

The fact of the matter is that the Office of the President should not be used as a tool for spiritual guidance. Unfortunately, a surprising amount of people just don't understand that. Two weeks ago, I talked to a 40-something-year-old woman from my church. She is an immigrant from Romania and has been living in this country for 17 years. I've known her for about three years now. During our discussion, I randomly asked her who she wants to win the candidacy for the Republican nomination. Respectably, her response was Rick Perry.

"Ok, that's not the best answer but better than some of the other candidates", I thought to myself. Then I asked her why she chose Perry. To my dismay, her reasoning was this: "I think it's about time America had a Christian president. I know a lot of people were upset by the 'Strong' commercial he released, but that wasn't bad at all". I was so shocked that I just told her that I had to leave. I said my good-byes and angrily walked to my car to go home. I was too frustrated to even try to explain a few obvious things that were wrong with her statement, like the fact that just about every President was a Christian of some denomination. The only bright side to this story is that she isn't a citizen and therefore cannot vote. 

With people who rationalize their beliefs like Santorum and this undisclosed woman having any sort of significant power in government, the nation is surely going to divide itself even more. I truly hope that young people will take the initiative to try and educate people like them who are just so blinded by ignorance. Since the people of their own generation couldn't educate them, maybe we should try to. For our own sake and for the sake of the nation.