“We’ve heard a lot of discussions about this being a religious law and specifically directed at preventing Sharia Law and I just don’t read it that way,” she said.

But Democrats pointed out extensive testimony from proponents in committee who expressed fears that Muslims would eventually demand Sharia law be used in American courts.

During a hearing in Senate Judiciary, Sandy Bradford, a Helena resident, said Islam is not peaceful and is an enemy to all. Sandy Montgomery, from the Flathead, said the bill was long overdue.

“We have allowed legal immigrants, illegal immigrants and now refugees to take advantage of our law and culture to take up their own agendas,” Montgomery said. “They have no intention to abide by our laws, nor are they interested in assimilating to our culture.”

Rep. Ellie Hill Smith, D-Missoula, said the testimony in the House Judiciary committee was also peppered with anti-Muslim bigotry. Since she thinks the bill targets people who practice Islam, she introduced an amendment that specifies a ban on both Sharia Law and the Law of Moses.