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God Squad Blasts Congressman Royce

Posted by Matt Coker in A Clockwork Orange, Gimme That OC Religion, Politics

August 7, 2008 4:57 PM

Permalink | Comments (4)

EdwardRoyce.jpgNo one ever criticizes Congressman Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) for the things he says because no one has ever heard him speak. But he apparently sends out emails that have caught the attention of a cross-denominational group of clergy folk who today sent Royce a letter asking him to stop using the phrase "Islamist terrorism."

"As a diverse group of Southern California interfaith leaders, intellectuals and activists, we are deeply concerned by your continued use of inflammatory rhetoric linking Islam to terrorism," begins the letter that is posted on the website of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' California office in Anaheim.

The group cites as an example Royce's June and July newsletters, where he states, “Given the threat from Islamist terrorism facing our country, we need to be acting urgently to protect the United States everyday.” But a copy of the summer newsletter Royce mailed to the homes of constituents includes no such phrase. However, the phrase does appear in "e-newsletters" from Royce titled "Victory for U.S. Intelligence" (dated July 15) and "How to Close the Terrorist Loophole" (June 24). People must sign up to receive the e-newsletters.

"Congressman Royce, using this type of language may not only offend and alienate the overwhelming majority of Muslims, who abhor violence, but it may also unintentionally legitimize terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and other anti-American forces," states the letter.

It is signed by Tustin Presbyterian Church elder Pamela Reed Allison, representing Progressive Christians Uniting, Orange County; Eric Altman, the executive director of Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development; Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak, the co-founder of Jews on First; Amin David, president of Los Amigos of Orange County; the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, convener of the Christian-Muslim Consultative Group; the Rev. Sarah Halverson, senior pastor at Fairview Community Church in Costa Mesa; Zeke Hernandez, president of Santa Ana's chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens; Rabbi Steven Jacobs, the founder of the Progressive Faith Foundation; and Richard Katsuda, co-chairman of Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress.

Also, the Rev. Peter Laarman, executive director of Progressive Christians Uniting in Los Angeles; Ed Linberg, associate pastor at First Christian Church in Fullerton; Kathy Masaoka, co-chairwoman of Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress; Kay Ochi, co-chairwoman of Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress; the Rev. R. Winston Presnall of First Presbyterian Church in Orange; the Rev. Alexia Salvatierra; Elizabeth Sholes, Public Policy director of the California Council of Churches/California Church IMPACT; Aquilina Soriano-Versoza, executive director of Pilipino Workers Center; Shakeel Syed, executive director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California; and Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Their letter notes that as the ranking member on the Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Royce is "no doubt aware that in January 2008, the Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and in March 2008, the National Counterterrorism Center produced publications that recommended using terminology that is more effective at isolating extremists and removing the false claim of religiosity they seek to justify their barbaric actions.

"According to the Homeland Security recommendations, by using phrases like 'Islamic terrorism,' U.S. officials and representatives may be 'unintentionally portraying terrorists, who lack moral and religious legitimacy, as brave fighters, legitimate soldiers or spokesman for ordinary Muslims.' The report also urges 'caution in using terms such as "jihadist," "Islamist" and "holy warrior" as grandiose descriptions,' to avoid associating acts of violence or terrorism with religious concepts."

The spiritual dream team says it is awaiting Royce's response on the matter. So are we. His Fullerton office advised us to call the congressman's media rep tomorrow.

 

Comments (4)

  1. Ed Ramirez says:
    August 9, 2008 06:50

    Lets get this straight the attacker of 9/11 were Muslins of an extreme part of the Islamic Religion. The same goes for attacks in Spain, Bali, England, Egypt, Iraq, and Sadie Arabia. The many planned attacks on this country over the past seven years have been the workings of the same kind of Muslims. I am sorry that it offends peace loving Muslims, but I got news for you all, It offends me to the core as it does the majority of Americans. Not all Muslims are terrorist, but all the terrorist of the currant war we are engages in are Muslims.

  2. PRCS says:
    August 10, 2008 09:06

    A little info,

    There is no 'extreme part of the Islamic Religion'.

    Islam is what it is and it teaches what it teaches. The Qur'an President Bush claims to have read and Usama bin Laden's copy read the same.

    There is no 'lite' version of the Qur'an or of Islam, and despite what so many of our clueless politicians have been fooled into believing, Islam has not been hijacked by 'a tiny minority of extremists'.

    Individual Muslims either believe every word of the Qur'an--hook, line and sinker--or they don't.

    So-called 'moderate' Muslims are like Catholics who use artificial birth control methods. Each is engaged in selective compliance with the tenets and teachings of their respective belief systems.

    As a theocracy, Islam, like all theocracies, is antithetical to the United States Constitution and is incompatible with it. Period.

    While Individual Americans are entitled to their particlular religious beliefs, they have no right to act out those aspects of such beliefs that violate American law.

    Polygamy and punitive amputations are examples.

    Where are all the 'moderate' Muslims? They're everywhere; spreading the deceitful myth that Islam is 'a religion of peace'.

  3. burgman says:
    August 10, 2008 11:47

    Violent Wahabi Islamic thinking is the problem. It is based on the complete lack of any tolerance of any other beliefs and a desire to conquer any unbelievers by force. This thinking is totally incompatible with a modern democratic state, yet we are underwriting its expansion through our oil dollars to people who hate us for our freedom.

    Ed Royce is absolutely right to call these people by name and not censor the truth. CAIR is not helping its own cause by calling for an end to squarely placing blame on violent islamists. It is time for CAIR and its allies to face the truth and diligently work to stop violent Islamism.

  4. Bob Squalonero says:
    August 11, 2008 05:37

    Of course, there are absolutely no extremists in Xtianity whatsoever--only in Islam (Note: If you believe this, I'd like to sell you some oceanfront property in Oklahoma, as well as both the Brooklyn & Golden Gate bridges, and the Eiffel tower).

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