Excerpt:
A Republican lawmaker in Tennessee will continue advocating proposed legislation that would make it a felony in the state to knowingly support Shariah law despite criticism that the "shocking" bill is bigoted, he told FoxNews.com.
State Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, said the bill, S.B. 1028, will be amended to allow the "peaceful practice" of Islam. He rejected calls to withdraw the legislation following a news conference on Tuesday held by several civil rights and interfaith groups denouncing the proposal.
"[The bill] does not outlaw or in any way punish or target the peaceful practice of Islam," Ketron told FoxNews.com on Wednesday. "It targets those terrorist Shariah organizations, those who are extremists. It has nothing to do with how they worship."