The College Republicans of UW-Madison hosted Robert Spencer, head of Jihad Watch, to voice his views against Islamic extremism Wednesday at Memorial Union.
Spencer's presentation, Jihad: What Muslims Say it Means and Why it Matters,"" instigated students to speak out in a question and answer session.
Spencer said he believes the Islamic religion is not a peaceful one and many Islamic groups in the United States have the potential to impose Islamic law on nonbelievers in a violent way.
""Whether or not these people are interpreting Islam incorrectly or represent only a tiny minority of extremists, it is still happening,"" Spencer said.
Several students argued against Spencer's view, saying extremists in other religions such as Judaism and Christianity could potentially cause the same problems.
During the question and answer session, a UW-Madison student asked why Spencer seemed unconcerned with the politicization of religion in the United States with regard to the rise of evangelical Christianity. She said government officials have the potential to appoint ideologically extreme Supreme Court Justices, as well as judges and cabinet members.
""I do not think it is the same thing,"" Spencer responded. ""They are working with the political process, not undermining the constitutional government '¦ I have never found any Christian preacher saying they are going to overthrow the government and make Christianity supreme.""
Spencer criticized various members of Islamic groups in the United States in an effort to support his opinion. He quoted Omar Ahmad, chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who allegedly stated his belief in Islamic supremacy.
Spencer also assessed Islamic values by arguing they deny fundamental American values, such as freedom of speech and equal rights for all.
""If one group is allowed to shut down something that they think is offensive, then that group obviously has hegemony over the others and we no longer have a society in which everybody enjoys equality before the law,"" Spencer said.
Multiple students questioned Spencer's intentions by claiming he cannot legitimately support the American freedom of equality if he does not support Islamic rights.
One student questioned Spencer's motives, claiming he did not have tolerance or understanding of minority rights.
Spencer said he is concerned about peace, justice and human rights for all and believes these rights can be protected if the Islamic movement is put to an end.
