Jody Hice, a radio show host and GOP congressional candidate from Georgia, made anti-Islamic statements in his 2012 book, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"Although Islam has a religious component, it is much more than a simple religious ideology," Hice wrote in his book titled "It's Now Or Never: A Call To Reclaim America." "It is a complete geo-political structure and, as such, does not deserve First Amendment protection."
Hice is a Baptist minister who is challenging businessman Mike Collins in a July 22 GOP primary runoff for Rep. Paul Broun's (R-Ga.) seat. This isn't the first time he has made offensive comments about Islam.
According to The Citizen, at a July 12, 2011 event sponsored by the Coweta County Tea Party Patriots, Hice argued that Islam isn't even a religion.
"Most people think Islam is a religion, it’s not. It’s a totalitarian way of life with a religious component," he said. "But it’s much larger. It’s a geo-political system that has governmental, financial, military, legal and religious components. And it’s a totalitarian system that encompasses every aspect of life and it should not be protected [under U.S. law]."
Hice didn't stop there.
"This is not a tolerant, peaceful religion even though some Muslims are peaceful. Radical Muslims believe that Sharia is required by God and must be imposed worldwide," he said. "It’s a movement to take over the world by force. A global caliphate is the objective. That’s why Islam would not qualify for First Amendment protection since it’s a geopolitical system ... This is a huge thing to realize and I hope you do. This will impact our lives if we don’t get a handle on it."
He also doubted the compatibility of Islam and the Constitution.
"These things are in no way compatible with the U.S. Constitution ... Islam and the Constitution are oceans apart," Hice said. "It’s about controlling your behavior, when and where you can worship and legal issues. The number one threat is to our worldview and whether we chunk it for secularism or Islam."
The winner of the runoff will face off against Athens, Georgia attorney Ken Dious (D) in the November general election.
(h/t: Raw Story)
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