http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sean-spicer-muslim-ban_us_5890ed19e4b0522c7d3da0bd

Last Friday, the President signed an Executive Order temporarily restricting travel from seven Muslim-majority countries and indefinitely prohibiting refugees from entering the United States. Huffington Post’s article on the Executive Order discussed the battle around terminology taking place in the White House Press Room. On Tuesday, Press Secretary Sean Spicer criticized a reporter for calling the Order a “ban” in his question. However, the reporter pointed out that Trump repeatedly called for a “Muslim ban” throughout his campaign and characterized his Order as a “ban” both on Twitter and in a press conference. Indeed, one day before Tuesday’s briefing, Spicer himself had told George Washington students that “the ban deals with seven countries.” After reporters pointed out these inconsistencies to Spicer, he blamed the media for using the term to make the President’s actions look more extreme. He did not address his or the President’s previous use of the term.
These contradictory statements reveal the complicated aftermath of the Executive Order. On the one hand, Trump wants to take credit for delivering on a major campaign promise and enjoy the soaring popularity ratings from his base of supporters. On the other hand, his Order triggered massive protests and worldwide condemnation, especially after the first ones affected by the ban were two Christian interpreters for the U.S. military in Iraq. Given the rampant inconsistencies noted by the press in yesterday’s conference, the Trump Administration’s attempts to celebrate with supporters and soften the Order’s tone are not working.

This ABC post reflected on Obama’s stance on foreign affairs and how he “fundamentally disagrees” with discrimination based on faith or religion. President Trump’s executive order on Friday calling for a suspension on immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries  had people protesting in airports and on streets nationwide. In Obama’s last speech as President, he spoke about the important role of citizens and how all “Americans have a responsibility to be the guardians of our democracy — not just during election but every day”

I think this ties into what we are learning altogether because there is a lot of social change and it is all happening so quickly. I think we were at a point where many of us (the people of America) could overcome judgement when it came to others religious affiliations and race. We came a long way since a few decades ago; however, now we are shown that even the President of our country discriminates against people based on race and religion. This will be a great sociological change and it would be interesting to see years from know whether this presidency has made history repeat itself and made our country take 3 steps backwards.

I also wonder what will happen to the Muslims that are in America as of right now. How will their religion be affected by this transition if it is held in place? Will they create religious movements? If so, will they be forced with terror or will they be peaceful? What are we expecting as a nation in return by calling to this action?

The boom of technology has changed the majority of the people’s way of life. As many benefits as technology has given to our society, it is interesting to view its role in different aspects of life. Perhaps one of the most interesting adaptations to the technology movement is the recent use of certain technological advancements in faith worship discussed in Chaves book and the article “Metro Churches use new tech to reach beyond their pews”(Nicquel Terry). According to Chaves email use in churches has increased by 38% overhead projections by 15% and website use by 27% (60). For many of the younger generations these increase reveal a newer and more relatable way to connect to their faith. The article discusses how not all religions and churches are fully invested in the technological world. Some of the more traditionalistic churches like that of the Catholic faith are more reluctant to the change even though there is a push in the positons of power to use technology (Terry). Immersing the era of technology requires a balance of traditions and technology in order to strengthen and not loose the sense of community that comes about attending and belonging to a church.

Article: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2016/10/21/metro-churches-new-technoly-followers/92551590/

138 years ago, the controversy over travel bans and religion was about Mormons from Europe

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/politics/1879-mormon-travel-ban/

Everyone worries about Trump’s executive order temporarily banning immigrants from seven Muslim countries. However, it wasn’t first time in history that US prevented traveling to US based on religion. I was little bit surprised that this wasn’t first time.

I think the story of Mormons is not perfectly same but still somewhat similar to that of Muslim today. Mormons was treated as un-American, and some of them have attacked/had war against neighbors who were not Mormons. As a result of rising tension, secretary of state in that time requested foreign governments not to allow Mormons to emigrate to US to prevent increasing immigrant joining Mormons at Salt Lake.

The story reminds me of the book, God needs no passport (my group’s case study book) by Peggy Levitt. In prologue of her book, author mentions about this person, Florence, who doesn’t feel comfortable her city to get more people who doesn’t believe in Christianity. Although for Florence it’s not she was attacked or afraid of violence from particular religious group, I think that anxiety/fear is similar. People fear other people because they belong in different groups.

The author talks about difference between tolerance and pluralism, and I think according to that definition Florence is tolerant person. “Tolerant people acknowledge difference. They are willing to lice side by side with people whoa re not like them, but are unwilling to be changed by them. Pluralists believe that no single religion has absolute authority over a single religious truth. They are wiling to engage with and be changed by others, creating something new along the way”(12).

Whether person likes it or not, other religion can change the person, or already changed/affected one’s religion in past.In the book, she mentions about when US was founded, and how Christianity, which she said “American” religious identity, was brought and developed through other countries(18).What person calls different group can be something that made up the group that the person oneself belongs.

The article that I read, Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban Is Cowardly and Dangerous, comes from the Opinion Piece section of the New York Times. I felt a connection and appreciation towards this article because it is so raw. We are in the midst of a time in America where we are witnessing the tragic reality that not everyone seems to be accepting the values that our country has always had. America has always been a country that is about freedom, whether that means you have the freedom to say what you want or practice the religion you want. Now that Trump is working hard to remove Muslims from America, we are yearning for the days when our freedom was something we could cherish. Something that I grew up loving about my country was religious freedom because I know how vital my relationship with God is to my life and I want everyone to have the freedom to have that opportunity. Now that this ban has occurred, it makes me reflect back on all of our times spent trying to define religion. It’s hard to accept that Muslims are being targeted because as a religious person, I sympathize for them. I know that outsiders must look in, judge them and make assumptions on their religion based on stereotypes. I praise these people though, for being strong in their beliefs and culture. It’s better to have pride than to be a coward.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/28/opinion/donald-trumps-muslim-ban-is-cowardly-and-dangerous.html?_r=0

Ever since Donald Trump has become president, the country has been in an uproar fearful that he will get rid of many minority groups that are present in the United States. Trump signed an executive order on Friday that suspended immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries that have ties to past terrorist attacks, including the suspension of the United States’ acceptance of Syrian refugees. Because of this, many people all over the country protested outside of airports and city streets. Former President, Barack Obama’s spokesman, Kevin Lewis, spoke to ABC News and stated that Obama “is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country,” but that he “fundamentally disagrees” with discrimination based on someone’s faith or religion. Obama and the nation both are afraid that because of Trump’s reign, the nation will have a sectarian orientation. Last class, we discussed the different types of typologies of religious groups and how they treat others. The sectarian group is an organization of people who discriminate against other religions, class, or sometimes political movements. The people of the United States are afraid that this mindset will be okay and certain people’s lives will be negatively effected.