Judge Elijah dogged by rumors he is Muslim

[uppityperson]

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/08/28/Judge-Elijah-dogged-by-rumors-he-is-Muslim/UPI-29001283011052/

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A Florida judge named for an Old Testament prophet has learned anonymous bloggers think Elijah is a Muslim name.

Elijah Williams, a family court judge in Broward County, is a Christian, The Miami Herald says. He is also up for re-election this year, facing a primary on Tuesday.

The rumor spreading through cyberspace apparently comes from his sharing a first name with Elijah Muhammad, who headed the Nation of Islam for 40 years before his death in 1975. Muhammad, however, was born Elijah Poole, the son of a Baptist minister in Georgia.

Williams says a "surprising number" of people have inquired about his religion recently.

"It was a bit surreal," Williams told the Herald. "I ended up explaining to people -- some of them prominent, educated people who asked about this -- that if my name concerned them, they should know 'Elijah' has Hebrew roots, that Elijah was a prominent prophet and leader in the Old Testament. But the situation was also uncomfortable."

[Violet_Crumble]

1. There's nothing wrong with being a Muslim...

I'm making a safe guess that the sort of people running round shrieking 'They're a Muslim!!!!' at people are too stupid to realise how similar their belief that there's something wrong with Muslims is to those in Nazi Germany who ran round accusing people of being Jews...

[uppityperson]

3. Yup. You and I are very much in agreement here.

Witch hunt

[uppityperson]

5. Fire @ Tenn mosque ruled arson.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4520906&mesg_id=4520906

[uppityperson]

2. Heh, he was tapped by Jeb bush in 2002

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/05/1761955/judging-from-the-name.html
"Of the three black judges up for reelection, Elijah Williams was tapped by Jeb Bush in 2002"

[Warren Stupidity]

4. The constitution forbids religious qualification for office. nt.