So Atheists, agnostics, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and, yes Muslims, can't "show actual patriotism?" Not to mention Christian sects like Jehovah's Witnesses and Quakers whose beliefs prohibit oaths.
The Constitution provides for oath or affirmation -- a recognition that even in 1787, there were enough people in the US that the Framers found that worth addressing.
As far as I'm concerned, an elected (or appointed) official can take the oath with his hand on the Bible, Torah, Koran, Baghavad Gita, Atlas Shrugged, or their kids' photo album. Better yet, I'd like to see officials take the oath or affirmation with their left hands on a copy of the Constitution, since that, and not any religious text, is what we expect them to be true to.
You are swearing before God that you will uphold the constitution- making an oath as God as your witness so help you should you break that oath. Personally- I don't think people should be swearing on the Koran or on playboy or anything else- The God of this world is the judge that peopel Must face should they break their oath that they swore before Him- and whether you beleive in Him or not isn't the issue- the issue is that we as a Christian nation do take VERY seriously the fact that it is God who blesses this nations and who will judge those who break their oaths- you don't have to beleive in Him to make that oath- but the oath IS binding in God';s eyes regardless, and that is what we as Am,ericans hold sincere. Either see it our way or don't run for office. Pretty simple! The job of office is a serious business as you are elcted to represent the best interests of those who elected you- as such we Beleive it is imperative that a person swear before God & we shouldn't be allowing people who refuse to hold office-