The Riley Syndrome

"My head's made up. You can't confuse me with the facts." -- Chester A. Riley

   Belief without thought endangers freedom remains the guiding principle for brief essays in the Editor's Revenge commentaries. Unfortunately, too many people are so convinced in  the righteousness of their beliefs that no amount of factual information will sway them. Political candidates play on these prejudged opinions to gain votes, and in the process help to spread bigotry, suspicion and other pernicious feelings that endanger the rights and freedoms of everyone.
   This came up again during a political rally in New Hampshire when a questioner insisted that the current President of the United States "is a Muslim, and not even an American." Unfortunately, the candidate who fielded the question insisted he did not hear the comment, even though everyone else in the country with access to a TV set did hear it. The candidate's non-response response was something to the effect that "we'll be looking into that and other things as well."
   This from the same candidate who was a leader in the so-called birther movement that claimed Barack Obama was not born in America and therefore was not eligible to be President. Did he not have the courage to endorse a position he previously held, or did he not have the courage to say the questioner was wrong?

   Fact: The Constitution specifies that a president must be a "natural born citizen." This is different from "native born."
   Fact: "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust" in the United States. So says the Constitution. And just as the First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, the main body of the Constitution guarantees freedom from religion. There is no requirement that a candidate for President be a Christian, or any other faith.
   Fact: There are more Muslims in America than there are Jews, or Buddhists, or any of many other religious organizations. 
   Fact: If one parent is an American citizen, the child inherits American citizenship, no matter where the child is born.
   Fact: Barack Obama's mother was from Kansas, so he is a U.S. citizen.
   Fact: His citizenship was documented by a birth certificate issued in Hawaii, which was used to register to vote in Chicago at age 21. A claim that it was a forgery should have been lodged 40 years ago.
   Fact: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was born in Canada to an American mother. If the birthers are correct, Sen. Cruz should drop his candidacy on the ground of ineligibility.

   Just as voters are free to make their choices based on their own religious preferences, the government may not mandate that a candidate subscribe to one particular spiritual path. 
   Many readers may disagree with the comments put forth in these brief essays. But the purpose is to prompt thinking, and if a believer considers alternatives and remains faithful to an earlier belief, that's good, because the thinker has reinforced and strengthened the foundations. But to remain committed to an opinion even when confronted with strong evidence of an equally valid position and refusing to modify or even accept another view only proves obdurate bigotry.