Robert Stitt
Did Muslim students really just sue a Catholic University because the crosses were offensive?
John Banzhaf is a professor of law at George Washington University. He is also far-left liberal who has filed numerous lawsuits as part of his goal to “change society for the better”. Some of his successes include changing copyright laws to include computer programs and software, a study of voting blocs now known as the Banzhaf Index, forcing Vice-President Spiro Agnew to repay bribes he received while governor, and many lawsuits regarding smoking and obesity forcing changes in their prospective industries.
Despite some of the good, critics argue that Banzhaf has single-handedly removed personal responsibility from issues. They argue that while tobacco companies, junk food companies, and restaurants that use large amounts of trans fats, for example, have some responsibility, individuals should still be held responsible for their actions. What does this have to do with Sharia Law, Muslim students, and a Catholic University?
Professor Banzhaf filed a lawsuit with the Washington, D.C. Office of Human Rights complaining that The Catholic University of America was discriminating against Muslim beliefs by implementing same sex dorms. His lawsuit was signed by a number of Muslims at the university. Then, in 2011, Professor Banzhaf filed another lawsuit against the university claiming that Muslim students did not have adequate prayer space. He phrased the lawsuit in such a way that it seemed as if Muslim students were complaining. In fact, no Muslim students complained or signed the lawsuit.
According to The Federalist Papers, “GWU Law School Professor John Banzhaf takes the Catholic institution to task for acting “probably with malice” against Muslim students in a 60-page complaint that cites “offensive” Catholic imagery all over the Catholic school, which he says hinder Muslims from praying.” He notes that the university “does not provide space – as other universities do – for the many daily prayers Muslim students must make, forcing them instead to find temporarily empty classrooms where they are often surrounded by Catholic symbols which are incongruous to their religion…[and objects to] the cathedral that looms over the entire campus – the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.”
University officials have denied receiving a single complaint from a Muslim student about prayer space, crosses, or anything else stated in the lawsuit.
Top Right News recently ran the headline “Muslims Demand That ‘Offensive’ Crosses Be Removed…From CATHOLIC School”. They say, “It is only the latest in an endless series of demands for Sharia Law adherence by Muslims in America.”
Snopes notes that while a lawsuit was indeed filed, many years ago, it was not filed by Sharia law advocates, unhappy Muslims, or even religious extremists. The lawsuit was filed by a sue-happy professor from a rival university.
In a world where anybody can write anything about anyone and have it spread quickly through the nation, we must be extra vigilant. There are many battles worth fighting, but we all need to be careful that we do not let pot-stirrers pit us against one another while we are still living in peace.
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