The major is quoted as having said: "I'm a Muslim first and an American second". My first reaction is, of course, if you're truly religious you have to believe your immortal soul is invaluable, so religious faith comes first. Would we raise an eyebrow if any public figure said "I'm a Christian first and an American second"?
But then, thinking about JFK and his famous address in Houston, I start to wonder. Basically in 1960 the idea among Protestants was that JFK was a Catholic first and an American second and, because Catholics owed allegiance to the Pope (that's a vanished concept) he could not be trusted as a President. JFK's speech said his priority as President was America, not his faith.
But on the other hand, we respect Quakers and Amish who claim the right of conscientious objection, which seems in part to be a claim that religion takes priority over patriotism.
Bottomline: I don't know--I suspect there may be a position I'd agree with, but it probably requires lots of consideration of the situation. But that would require more thinking than I have patience for right now (ever again?). So, here as elsewhere I opt for tolerating positions without trying for consistency.
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