A Second Muslim Is Elected To Congress

The grandson of the late Rep. Julia Carson has been elected to succeed her as the member of Congress for Indiana's seventh congressional district. He is Andre Carson. 33 years old. A Muslim -- in his words, an "orthodox, secular, universal Muslim." For the most part, the campaign was respectful.

He faces stiff competition in a May primary and then in a general election in November.

Comments

As long as the Constitution's provisions regarding separation of Church and State were scrupulously adhered to, is this any more dangerous than having them Catholics, Mormons, Buddhists, etc. in Congress?

Let's have a debate when a Scientologist or a Fan Lun Gongite gets elected.

Posted by D | March 12, 2008 8:49 AM

I have zero problem with Carson's Muslim background, but I find this curious:

orthodox, secular, universal Muslim

Is this even possible? Orthodox AND secular? AND Univeral?

Posted by dry_fish | March 12, 2008 10:23 AM

I think whathe means is that as a sunni Muslim he belong to the more universally accepted Islamic division of Muslims and that he practices the belief, which is a a personal choice. Similar to the many Chrisitian and Jews that are in Congress , who go to church and the synagogue but are secular in their actions.

Posted by holly archer | March 14, 2008 12:40 PM