Politics is downstream of culture; freedom is the necessary condition for any virtue. Some people are awfully fond of quoting John Adams when he says that the Constitution is formed for a moral and religious people and none other. We tend to forget that Adams meant these in a classical sense of both morality and religion and not an evangelical one.
Freedom is the prerequisite for America. For a religious test to be the delimiter for participation in public life is odious in the extreme.
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This is a dumb argument to be having at any level or at any time. Of course, Muslims can join the Republican Party of Virginia. Of course,they are welcome within the conservative movement. Of course, we should be welcoming everyone who understands and celebrates the role of free minds, free markets, and a free society. Of course, we should be welcoming everyone who loves America into our ranks. Of course, we should be running Muslims for public office if they are so inclined to do so — it’s a thankless task, but we could sure use the leadership.
Of course, they should bring falafel to the next unit committee meeting.