The Republican led State Senate just passed a law that people are calling the “Anti Sharia Law Bill”. Even though the bill makes no mention of Sharia Law everyone knows its intent.  The bill guarantees that no laws for ‘foreign courts’ will be adopted by Texas civil court judges.  The sponsor of the bill, State Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), said, “It’s just to provide some belt and suspenders to make sure that, with judicial discretion, we don’t trump Texas law, American law, with a foreign law regarding family law”.

Again the state is giving in to fear mongers and trying to legislate something that isn’t even an issue.  Word got out that an Islamic tribunal was using Sharia Law in Texas.  That last sentence has two very scary words in it for white Americans, Islamic and Sharia.  Now while some Americans could probably identify someone that is Islamic, most of them probably couldn’t tell the difference between someone from Iraq and someone from India.  As far as Sharia goes I’m almost certain that not too many at all actually know what that means.  They just know it’s bad.  Fox News has done a great job of beating the fear into everyone about the evil Islamist coming to behead them.  Fear is something we do really well in this country.  And the people swallow it hook, line, and sinker.  Want to control a group of people just keep them scared.

Back to the evil Islamic group.  So, it turns out, that they are simply a mediation and arbitration group.  In fact below I will layout the scope of the tribunal:

Conflicting problems within American Muslim society may range from personal and family matters such as marriage and divorce, as well as disputes among community members and those in positions of leadership.  The courts of the United States of America are costly and consist of ineffective lawyers.  Discontent with the legal system leads many Muslims in America to postpone justice in this world and opt for an audience on the Day of Judgment.

It is with this issue that Muslims here in America are obligated to find a way to solve conflicts and disputes according to the principles of Islamic Law and its legal heritage of fairness and justice in a manner that is reasonable and cost effective.  These proceedings must be conducted in accordance with the law of the land; local, state and federal with the United States.  Through effective mediation and arbitration, decisions can be made that are stipulated in the Sharia’ah and adhering to the binding, ethical and legal code that exists within this country with the final approval of the relevant courts and judges.

The Islamic Tribunal seeks support and guidance from consultants and counselors to its attorneys to ensure that local, state and federal law are strictly conformed to and decisions that originate from the Tribunal are in accordance with said laws.

Now doesn’t that just sound scary? And look at how they are trying to make their own laws and…..oh wait, now this looks like any other mediation and arbitration group.  Maybe Texas is just upset because they are a faith based group doing this?  But that can’t be it because groups like Peacemaker Ministries do the exact same thing.  Below is a little bit about Peacemaker Ministries:

A non-profit, non-denominational ministry whose mission is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically.   We provide conflict coaching, mediation and arbitration service to help resolve lawsuits, family conflicts, business disputes, and church divisions.

So, why is this type of faith based mediation and arbitration acceptable?  Oh, that’s right, it’s Christian based.  Texas is only concerned about keeping foreign law out of America and Christianity is 100% American right?  Now this may come as a surprise to a lot of people but the Christian Bible is actually foreign law.  That’s right people, Jesus wasn’t American.  I know that seems hard to believe since every picture depicts him as a very handsome bearded American.  The Bible was actually the law of the land in a place we call the Middle East.  The Middle East is also the home of the Islamic – Sharia Law that we as Americans have been taught to fear.

So, way to cave in to the fear mongers Texas.  It’s a shame you have no faith in the constitution to uphold our laws.  But then again you aren’t that fond of our constitution are you?  Using the Bible to defend anti-gay marriage.  That good old selective use of foreign law.

Those Pesky Facts.