UCCS students, religious studies professor weigh in on Trump’s controversial Muslim comments

UCCS senior Matt Stys is an Iraq war vet with a countless number of Muslim friends overseas.

“They are the most giving people that I’ve met in my life, the most kind, going about their lives to take care of themselves and their family,” Stys said.

He’s steaming at GOP frontrunner Donald Trump’s latest remarks which suggest imposing a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.

Trump argues the plan would keep the American people safe by keeping terrorists off U.S. soil.

But religious studies professor Jeff Scholes believes such rhetoric only demonizes millions around the globe and is unconstitutional.

“It runs so counter to the Founding Father’s ideals to the separation of church and state,” Scholes said. “Any religious litmus test on the grounds of this kind of prevention of entering the country is incredibly troubling to me.”

“His views are just spreading fear and hate, and that’s not what this country is about,” UCCS junior Rebecca Cutler said. “It’s the great American melting pot and he’s trying to take that away.”

Trump remains the clear national frontrunner.

On Tuesday, the latest CNN poll in New Hampshire puts Trump in the lead by 18 points over Florida Senator Marco Rubio.