El-Sayed’s statement that Sharia represents an “obligation” before God may demonstrate sincere religious commitment.
But sincerity isn’t the issue.
Political power is.
A senator doesn’t merely live according to his own convictions. He votes on laws affecting more than 330 million Americans of radically different beliefs.
That makes the dividing line between personal religious conviction and governmental authority critically important.
El-Sayed should therefore be asked something far more substantial than why he called Jesus radical:
Which parts of Sharia do you believe are binding only upon yourself, and are there any principles of Sharia that you believe should influence American law or governmental policy?
Then comes the question that matters most:
If Sharia and the constitutional rights of an American ever come into conflict in your exercise of public power, will the Constitution always prevail?