Americans Criticize Muslim Sect

Scrutiny of faith creates hypocrites\nJacob Stewart\nIt is not proper for someone raised in a conservative Christian society like myself to even attempt to explain the inner-workings of a faith I know little about. Nor can I say whether Salafism or Wahhabism breed terrorism.\nHowever, I am fully aware of the U.S. Constitution and the rights of American citizens. If it is the prerogative of the members of this faith to practice Islam as they see fit and to cut themselves off from a sexually laden social society, then it is our duty as Americans to recognize that choice as legitimate. To criticize these Muslims on the basis that their practices might create a terrorist mindset is to ignore that a Christian dogma might perpetuate many arguably harmful ideas, such as American exceptionalism. While Americans need to understand where our threats come from, it is the duty of the people to uphold the rights of fellow citizens -- or the greatest threat will develop from within.\nTolerance goes both ways\nBrian J. McFillen\nIndependent cultural communities have long been a part of American society, from the Pilgrims to the Amish to the Mormons and the various ethnic "towns" of our cities. That a group should be able to practice its beliefs without molestation and pass them on to its children, is an ideal we've held -- if not abided by -- ever since the creation of the U.S. Constitution. \nThat said, we do have guidelines by which everyone must live. This is a nation of secular laws -- and individual freedoms trump the concerns of the cultural group. Among other things, this means individuals have the right to publicly criticize Islam and that women have the same rights as men (whether they choose to exercise them is their own affair). The norm of multicultural tolerance that protects Salafi communities in America goes both ways. As long as these rules are followed, there's no reason we can't be good neighbors.