Is secularism dead? - Muslim Brotherhood and Christian right control the voting outcomes in today’s (January 3, 2012) elections in Egypt and Iowa respectively. Iowa could readily provide impetus for election of next US President. Egypt’s current voting will determine writing of new constitution. Rise of Religion as Political Delineation: Religious politics is not just limited to the US and Egypt. Hungary has just adopted new constitution/laws consolidating the ruling political party’s hold over media and central bank while also incorporating Christianity’s official position. India’s main opposition and one time ruling party is directly linked to Hinduism, despite India’s claim to be a secular state. The Islamic world is a plenty with avowed Islamic parties. South Sudan, one of globe's newest states, was defined and voted in referendum on independence with religious affiliation effectively delineating the new border from the Muslim majority Sudan. (Of course the recent funeral of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and installation of the new "Supreme Leader" Kim Jong-un evidenced how even atheist states assert divine political directive). This is not a value judgment regarding religious theology in political ideology, but more about how religious affiliations affects the whole methodology of elections. The two main Islamic parties apply discipline as much as appeal to get the voters out. (Similar to Iowa’s get out the vote). In fact the Muslim Brotherhood in fact is worried about the political emergence of the “Salafist” movement, and fears it ability to get the vote out and thus more as political rival than the secular parties. The significant Coptic Christian minority will seek its own political voice not through secular but its own religious affiliations. Co-opting & Misusing America's Founding Fathers along with God: The role of religion in American politics is becoming unprecedented. Many on the American political right claim to be returning to the roots of America’s Founding Fathers. However, that is a contradiction to history, at least it applies to America's origins and Founding Fathers. Most of the Founding Fathers were products of the age of Enlightenment, who sought to not only separate church and state but keep religious doctrine out of state affairs – they were secular before the word become a definition. George Mason was signatory of the Declaration of Independence, mentor to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The latter was foundation for the Declaration of Independence and ultimately for the US Constitution’s Bill of Rights, which George Mason refused to sign unless the Bill of Rights was incorporated as an amendment. The intent of this Founding Father and his influence on his contemporaries was very much a secular methodology. Wikipedia describes George Mason as “a strong anti-federalist who wanted a weak central government” but that he also “believed in the disestablishment of the church.” Ironically today’s religious right has embraced the banner and rhetoric of states rights, but as a way to undermine separation of church and state incorporated into the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. As many European counterparts, the US Christian right provokes the rhetoric of the US being founded upon “Christian” or “Judeo-Christian” values. This though has little to do with history or values, but rather as a methodology of excluding those who do not embrace their views or religion. (Historical record also evidences Muslim Americans, mostly African slaves who continued to cling to the religion of their fathers/mothers - earliest record is in pre-Revolution America in 1730's) Disciplining & Orchestrating Who is Viable as well as Acceptable: Iowa’s Christian right leaders as Bob Van Plaats, (Above Photo of the Pastor behind the Politics of Iowa from the “Iowa Republican”), have tried to orchestrate the winner in Iowa by not only supporting candidates that meet their narrow litmus test, but also pressing as what they see as also-rans to get out of the race so that only one hand-picked favorite can win – in this instance Rick Santorum. Several of the “also-rans” as Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich as well as Herman Cain have met the litmus test of presumably Christian family values as anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-multiculturalism and putting God and their religion back into school and government. (Not certain what anti Obama health care, anti-Palestinian and pro-militarism have to do with family values, but this is also part of the litmus test. Does it remind a bit of anti-Israel being a family value in some “Islamist” political circles?). Read: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-rick-santorum-by-ambassador-mo/43235 The Christian right knows they do not want a Mormon as US President, not on basis of views but personal identity. Thus John Huntsman and Mitt Romney are ruled out. Read: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-mitt-romney-by-ambassador-mo/36388. It is also about defeating the pure ideological libertarian, Ron Paul, even as many claim the mantle of American individualism. ---Ron Paul: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-ron-paul-by-ambassador-mo/42293. American Christians voting their values is part of the political process whether we like it or not. However, trying to not only orchestrate support but who is effectively forced to withdraw so that the religious vote can be concentrated into one candidate takes religion and church way into the realm of a political organization and orchestration. Is secularism dead? – Yes, if voters are herded into line by religious bosses, (pastors, imams etc) orchestrating candidates. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey



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 Read More: ---Rick Santorum: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-rick-santorum-by-ambassador-mo/43235 ---Rick Perry: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-rick-perry-by-ambassador-mo/43150 ---Ron Paul: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-ron-paul-by-ambassador-mo/42293 ---Newt Gingrich: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-newt-gingrich-by-ambassador-mo/42017 ---Michele Bachmann: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-wo-man-be-americas-next-president-by-ambassador-mo/37716 ---Mitt Romney: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-mitt-romney-by-ambassador-mo/36388 ---Herman Cain - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-by-ambassador-mo/36191 ---Governor Chris Christie - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-by-ambassador-mo/35821 ---Barak Obama- diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/will-this-man-be-americas-next-president-photo-tells-the-story-by-ambassador-mo/35210 ---"Protecting Brand America" - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/protecting-brand-america-by-ambassador-mo/41719 ---"The Un-warrior - Return of the Jedi Ron Paul" - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/the-un-warrior-return-of-the-jedi-ron-paul-by-ambassador-mo/43121 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey



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