Yup, that's my topic for today. I was reminded of it when I read Johann Hari's recent post explains the many reasons why he believes the Republican party is turning into a cult of sorts.. Among their many, many counter-factual ideas (e.g. global warming, evolution) he reminded me of another one: "They insist Europe has fallen to Islam, since Muslims immigrants are becoming a majority and are imposing sharia law."
As a pretty Europeanized American, I was taken entirely by surprise when I first encountered this nonsense. My old neighbors and friends were secretly turning Muslim? Who knew?! Even more intriguing: Republicans, after decades of deriding Europe at every available opportunity, are now deeply worried about its welfare? It's weird.
That said, there is in fact a cultural threat of sorts going on. It's just not what the wingnuts think it is. Read on...