Santorum: Not all of Islam protected by the First Amendment

by TheHill.com - 12/15/15 7:19 PM ET

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) argued Tuesday that not all of the Islamic faith falls under First Amendment protections for the free practice of religion.

{mosads}Speaking at the CNN’s Republican presidential debate, Santorum said some aspects of the Islamic faith, like Sharia law, constitute a separate “civil government” that is fundamentally at odds with the U.S. Constitution and therefore not protected under the First Amendment.

“Islam is not just a religion, it’s also a political governing structure. The fact of the matter is that Islam is a religion, but it is also Sharia law. It is a civil government, and it is also a form of government,” Santorum said.

“So the idea that that is protected under the First Amendment is wrong, and in fact, the political structure is what is the big problem. The imposition of Sharia law and adherence to fundamental Islam as practiced in the 7th century — there has to be a line drawn.”

Tags Rick Santorum