Republican Representative Andy Hopper recently defended banning Islam from Texas during a religious event, sparking outrage among residents. At an event hosted by For Liberty & Justice, a political arm of Fort Worth’s Mercy Culture Church, panelists debated the “threat of Islam” in Texas.
According to reports from the Fort Worth Report, Andy Hopper suggested that state lawmakers could classify Islam as a political system instead of a religion: “We could basically say, ‘In the state of Texas, we get to define what a religion is, and Islam is not a religion protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.’” If such a law were passed, it could potentially open the door to other legislation banning this religious practice in the state and even applying sanctions to local Muslims.
In the event, Representative Hopper was joined by other panelists, including self-described “ex-Muslim turned Christian” Shahriq Khan, former FBI agent John Guandolo, Republican politician Abteen Vaziri, and Benji Gershon, founder of American Jewish Conservatives.
Texans Are Not Happy With Plans to Ban Islam
News of the debate sparked outrage among Texas residents, as many argued that such a move would essentially violate the First Amendment and directly attack freedom of religion in the state: “Muslims have their constitutional rights. Haters can pound sand. They will lose in any court of law.” Some locals also criticized the position, saying, “There’s no hate like Christian love.”
One seemingly Islamic Texan was very angry about the proposition: “How are we a threat! We just mind our own business. These clowns need to watch the news and see who’s dropping bombs every day.” Some Christians also expressed solidarity with those being targeted: “White Christian here: I am way more afraid of Texas evangelicals than I am of any Muslim.”
Others challenged the notion that Islam would “take over” the state, pointing out that the religion has fewer than half a million followers in Texas, a state with over 31 million residents. One local described the whole discussion as “sad and shameful.”
That’s not to say that no Texans agree with Andy Hopper, though. On his Facebook page, for example, more supportive comments can be found: “You are our hero. Keep fighting to keep Texas safe.”
