Trump Wants to Ban Muslims
/Donald Trump is taking a bold stand against terrorism-or his version of it. In a press release, Trump proposes preventing any Muslims from entering the United States.
DECEMBER 07, 2015 -
DONALD J. TRUMP STATEMENT ON PREVENTING MUSLIM IMMIGRATION
(New York, NY) December 7th, 2015, -- Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on. According to Pew Research, among others, there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population. Most recently, a poll from the Center for Security Policy released data showing "25% of those polled agreed that violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad" and 51% of those polled, "agreed that Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to Shariah." Shariah authorizes such atrocities as murder against non-believers who won't convert, beheadings and more unthinkable acts that pose great harm to Americans, especially women.
Mr. Trump stated, "Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension. Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life. If I win the election for President, we are going to Make America Great Again." - Donald J. Trump
A Fox News article quotes Trump: "Look at what FDR did many years ago, and he's one of the most respected presidents," Trump said. "We have people in this country that want to blow up our country - you know it and so do I. They're looking at the jihad. They want a jihad." This seems like a logical flaw: how will preventing Muslims affect people already in this country?
Reactions to Trump's proposal have been mostly negative. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found that most people oppose his plan.
Another lens on this issue is the perspective from Muslims on college campuses. An article in The Chronicle describes the experience of Muslim leaders: "It's like holding your breath."
Discussion Starters:
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of Trump's plan?
- Does the data about American's views they justify his proposal? Is the data from credible sources?
- Will the proposal reduce terrorism in the United States? Explain your position.
