Keith Self Claims Muslims Can Lie, Warns of Government Takeover

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

Republican U.S. Rep. Keith Self acknowledged that peaceful Muslims exist but claimed Islamic teachings permit Muslims to lie to advance their religion. He also accused Muslims he considers a threat to the Constitution of hiding behind religious freedom protections and warned of extremists taking control of American government institutions.

The remarks came during an October 23 interview with Rich Matthews of Context Corner, as the Texas congressman discussed Islam, Sharia law and what he believes is a growing threat to the country’s constitutional system.

Can Muslims Be Trusted?

Matthews challenged the congressman’s warnings about Islam by bringing up the Muslim physician who performed his heart surgery.

“I have a Muslim doctor. He did my heart surgery,” Matthews said. “I mean, he seems like a good guy. Doesn’t seem to want to take over America.”

Asked whether Muslims could simply practice their religion and live peacefully, Self acknowledged that some do not follow what he called the extreme measures of Sharia.

“That is absolutely true,” he said.

But his answer went further. He argued that Islamic teachings command Muslims to conquer the non-Muslim world and introduced a religious concept he described as permitting deception.

“They can lie in the furtherance of Sharia, of Islam,” he said.

Taqiyya historically refers to concealing religious beliefs, particularly under threat of persecution, and is especially associated with Shiite Islam. A separate concept, tawriya, involves ambiguity or double meanings in speech. Neither establishes a general religious obligation for Muslims to deceive non-Muslims.

No religious text or scholar was cited to support his interpretation.

The congressman also argued that Muslims seeking to assimilate could face persecution if extremists gained political power.

“We’re also fighting for them,” he said.

Religious Freedom and Sharia

The discussion turned to the First Amendment when the congressman accused Muslims he considers a threat to the Constitution of using religious freedom as a shield.

“They hide behind the First Amendment right of religion,” he said.

Matthews, a Catholic, challenged the argument by comparing Islamic religious requirements with obligations in his own faith. Catholics also follow the Ten Commandments and observe holy days, he noted, with religious consequences for failing to do so.

The Republican lawmaker responded that Americans remain free to decide whether to follow those obligations.

“In America, you’re free to believe whatever you want to. And or nothing. Not under Islam,” he said.

He argued that Muslims who abandon their faith face the death penalty. While certain interpretations of Islamic law prescribe that punishment, documented government convictions and executions specifically for religious conversion have been uncommon. A 2014 Library of Congress study examining 23 countries identified just two convictions for religious conversion.

In the United States, the First Amendment protects the right to practice a religion, change one’s faith or abandon religious belief entirely.

Warnings About Local Government

The congressman warned that jihadists could gain control of city councils, county commissioners courts, community colleges and other public institutions.

“When the jihadists take control through the city councils, through the commissioners court, through the junior colleges, through whatever local entity, then they will start making demands,” he said.

He also predicted that Muslims who refuse to follow strict religious requirements could face death if extremists gained power.

Asked about his previous outreach to Muslim voters and visits to mosques, Self said circumstances had changed approximately two to four years ago, when he believes imams across America began openly opposing the Constitution.

“They are preaching open sedition against the U.S. Constitution across America,” he said.

He went further, claiming that Muslims intend to take control of federal institutions.

“They will take down the Constitution. They will make the Senate Muslim. They will make the House Muslim. They will make the Supreme Court Muslim.”

No specific imams or institutions involved in the alleged effort were identified during the interview.

Self’s Continued Focus on Islam and Sharia

Islam and Sharia have become recurring subjects in the congressman’s public statements, social media posts and interviews. He has introduced legislation addressing Sharia, helped establish the Sharia-Free America Caucus and repeatedly warned about what he describes as the growing influence of Islam in Texas.

During the interview, he said his campaign’s baseline polling ranked Sharia as the second-most important issue in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District.

“Our baseline polling showed that Sharia was the number two issue in my district,” Self said, describing it as a close second.

He did not identify the top-ranking issue or provide the survey results or methodology.

The Republican congressman also said he had warned Gov. Greg Abbott about Islam’s influence in Texas the previous week.

“I told the governor last week, we are losing Texas to Islam today,” he said.

He did not explain what information he shared with Abbott or describe the governor’s response.

The original interview was conducted by Rich Matthews of Context Corner and published October 23 click here for the article and interview.