Tennessee bill would make it a crime to practice Sharia law
Men pray on the street before the start of the American Muslim Day Parade last year in New York.
March 6th, 2011
01:59 PM ET

Tennessee bill would make it a crime to practice Sharia law

Editor's Note: CNN’s Soledad O’Brien chronicles the dramatic fight over the construction of a mosque in the heart of the Bible belt. “Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door," airs March 27 at 8 p.m. ET.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been the epicenter of a months-long battle over the construction of a new mosque in the Nashville suburb. It's one example of many concerning Muslims in America, and how cities and communities are responding to efforts to build Islamic places of worship.

That battle got fiercer when two state lawmakers, one representing Murfreesboro, introduced legislation that would make it a felony to practice Sharia law, which includes lessons found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, and which can inform how Muslims live their everyday lives, including prayer rituals. Many Muslims consider Sharia law to outline basic tenets of living a moral life. What is Sharia law?

State Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, and state Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma, who are backing the same bill in the Senate and House, describe Sharia law as dangerous to U.S. national security, according to the Tennessean newspaper. The bill grants Tennessee's attorney general the power to investigate complaints about anyone who might be practicing Sharia law.

The possible punishment for practicing Sharia law is 15 years behind bars.

Last year, construction equipment on the site of a planned mosque in Murfreesboro was torched, and police suspect arson. Signs on the mosque property were vandalized with spray paint reading, "Not welcome." Two other proposed Islamic centers in Tennessee stoked much controversy last year.  A Crusaders' cross was spray-painted on the side of a Nashville mosque, next to the words, "Muslims go home." In Williamson County, not far from Murfreesboro, plans to build a mosque were quashed after residents complained a turn lane into the building would be too costly. The debate over a mosque near ground zero in New York is still raging. The U.S. Justice Department supports the Murfreesboro mosque.

Tennessee isn't the first state to consider anti-Sharia law legislation. Oklahoma passed a similar bill last year. This month Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley said he would support a bill that "maintains that U.S. law shall take precedence in U.S. courts," according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Tilley referenced a case, frequently cited in the debate concerning the Oklahoma law, in which a New Jersey judge relied on Islamic law to rule in a case involving domestic violence.

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Filed under: Missouri • Oklahoma • Politics • St. Louis • Tennessee • U.S.
soundoff (972 Responses)
  1. Ronald Regan

    I would like to remind America that we have separation of Religion and State. Therefore Sharia law takes it place umoung the rest of the religious practices that have been deemed detrimental to society such as Polygamy and all that it intails. The futal fight to take over our American ways of life and subject us to a foregin rule will fail as long as we take pride in being American and we uphold the law.

    America for Americans.

    March 30, 2011 at 1:34 pm | Report abuse |
  2. John

    History is repeating itself in the 4th Reich! Propaganda, lies, demonizing, killings, occupation, stealing, the corporation known as USA run by luciferians at full regime. Check "War on Democracy" on youtube and you'll understand the issue.

    April 4, 2011 at 9:11 pm | Report abuse |
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    Hi check out this interesting blog on Tennessee bill would make it a crime to practice Sharia law – This Just In – CNN.com Blogs home security systems nashville tn

    August 26, 2011 at 9:35 am | Report abuse |
  4. iamakaafir

    Everyone has a right to freedom of religion but when they are trying to make their sharia law as the law for America then they have no freedom of religion. Islam is an ideology and a dangerous one. Look at the other countries that have islam's sharia law, they have no freedom at all. Muslims play the pity card and want people to feel sorry for them but once they get a foothold then they take over. They set themselves up as a peaceful religion but they are not...Get your heads out of the sand people..Peace to all non-muslims.

    September 4, 2011 at 8:40 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Judy75201

    I am glad for this law. Calling me intolerant because I have a problem with sharia law is of no consequence to me. Sharia is an ugly system that people who care about justice should shun. Sharia has NO place in America.

    May 13, 2012 at 4:30 pm | Report abuse |
    • nikm

      Neither does the Ten Commandments but I'm not trying to make it punishable by 15 years in prison. You people are so unbelievably stupid and paranoid that it makes me feel physically ill.

      July 21, 2012 at 4:45 pm | Report abuse |
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    That is such an amazing sight! Is that a sheet or blanket on the ground for their knees? Thanks for sharing, this was awesome!
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