Posted on 11/28/2006 3:17:38 PM PST by mmanager
Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress, has announced that he will not take his oath of office on the Bible, but on the Quran instead.
The 43-year-old Minnesota Democrat, who converted to Islam as a 19-year-old college student, won the midterm election after a campaign calling for an immediate American pullout from Iraq. And his decision to forsake the Bible at his January 3 swearing-in troubles some.
"He should not be allowed to do so, Townhall.com contributing columnist Dennis Prager writes on the Web site.
"Ellison's defenders argue that Ellison is merely being honest; since he believes in the Quran and not in the Bible, he should be allowed, even encouraged, to put his hand on the book he believes in . . .
"Forgive me, but America should not give a hoot what Keith Ellison's favorite book is. Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress.
"In your personal life, we will fight for your right to prefer any other book. We will even fight for your right to publish cartoons mocking our Bible. But, Mr. Ellison, America, not you, decides on what book its public servants take their oath.
Prager, a radio talk show host and author, concludes: "When all elected officials take their oaths of office with their hands on the very same book, they all affirm that some unifying value system underlies American civilization. If Keith Ellison is allowed to change that, he will be doing more damage to the unity of America and to the value system that has formed this country than the terrorists of 9/11.
"It is hard to believe that this is the legacy most Muslim Americans want to bequeath to America.
What kind of a freedom loving poeple would elect a Keith Ellison into Congress to represent them?
So very true and I'm certain that Bubba and Hitlery Klintoon as well as the Kennedy's would be on this list as well.
So very true and I'm certain that Bubba and Hitlery Klintoon as well as the Kennedy's would be on this list as well.
Thanks for posting this.
It is, IMHO, the fundamental contradiction in using the Koran as the foundation to support an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
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Yup. The issue is NOT what book, if any, he puts his hand on. The issue is whether he fulfills the oath or affirmation the Constitution requires him to make - to support the Constitution.
That's it.
What's the difference. No dem actually honors their oath no matter they use a bible or a koran.
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You are 100% correct. A local talker called the clerk's office at the house of representatives in DC this afternoon. She explained it just as you have. Mass swearing in, no Bibles, just right hands in the air. Then, if requested, a private photo op swearing in with what ever prop they choose or none at all.
However.....Ellison will be darned sure to do the private photo-op thing with his koran, just to rub our collective noses in it. He's an arrogant prick. Muslim or not.
Didn't Hillary do that when she went in as Senator of the Union of the Great Nation of New York????
I guess I disagree with most people here....this is freedom of religion.
conservative in nyc writes:
".... under the Constitution, office holders can take an affirmation of office of office instead of an oath anyway.
You are quite correct!
At least two Presidents "affirmed" rather than taking an oath: Herbert Hoover and Franklin Pierce. Hoover was a Quaker and Quakers traditionally do not take oaths. Franklin Pierce also had religious scruples against swearing and "affirmed."
conservative in nyc writes:
".... under the Constitution, office holders can take an affirmation of office of office instead of an oath anyway.
You are quite correct!
At least two Presidents "affirmed" rather than taking an oath: Herbert Hoover and Franklin Pierce. Hoover was a Quaker and Quakers traditionally do not take oaths. Franklin Pierce also had religious scruples against swearing and "affirmed."
"What kind of a freedom loving poeple would elect a Keith Ellison into Congress to represent them?"
You're not too familiar with MN's 5th district, are you?
;-)
.
He is taking the oath. Nothing in the Constitution says what book you have to place your hand on when you take it.
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