Rep. Peter King's second round of hearings on the dangers of Islamic "radicalization" in United States have not brought the same level of intense criticism as his first. Still, many religious liberty advocates remain firmly opposed to singling out Islam, even as the Congressman shifts the topic to focus on activity in prisons. Author and professor Stephen Prothero writes:
King has said that the threat of Islamic radicalization is a "real issue.” I agree.
But the “real issue” here is not the radicalization of Islam in U.S. prisons. It is the sacrifice of American values of liberty and tolerance on the altar of anti-Islamic prejudice. More specifically, it is the abuse of the coercive power of the federal government (something conservatives used to care about) to attack one religion and one religion only.
And in written testimony submitted to the committee, Baptist minister and Interfaith Alliance head Welton Gaddy warns:
[T]his hearing is not only the wrong answer to the wrong question, but there appears to be little factual basis to necessitate this line of inquiry and in the end, this series of hearings may only perpetuate the problems the Homeland Security Committee seeks to solve, as well as add to a disturbing climate of anti-Muslim sentiment extant in America today.
You can watch and read testimony from the hearing, which began yesterday and continues today, at this committee's web site here.
