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.”
I looked for previous posts on this all day and was hoping someone would post this as this is my first post.
If it has been posted, my apologies.
Is this legal?
Thanks for the post.
He will make it legal.
F**king Muzzies! Ever last one of them ought to be deported!
It would be interesting to know what precedent is. Surely there have been atheists in Congress, who would presumably prefer not to swear on a Bible?
What, if anything, does the Constitution say about this abomination???
If all folks in court have to swear on a Bible, this A-hole either complies, or is outt'a there!
get ready folks, we ain't seen nothing yet.
I have no problem with a muslim, jew, or anybody else choosing to swear on something other than a bible. We have much bigger fish to fry.
Wrong. He has the right, Constitutionally.
However his next opponent has the right to make a campaign commercial of the act to boot his ass to the curb.
Good. Don't let this guy touch a Bible.
This saddens me. I don't mind if the Bible isn't used in the oath. But if the Bible isn't used, no book should be substituted.
Isn't that the book that says it's okay to lie to further Izzlam?
Nation of Islam is not exactly the same as Islam.
Not that I'm happy about a Muslim being in office, but Islam doesn't even recognize NOI Muslims. I don't see him in ofc for more than 1 term.
Without the Judeo/Christian ethic at the core of our government in this nation, we might as well surrender to the murderous Muslims RIGHT NOW!!!
This is maddening and enraging!!!
So what? Taking an oath on a Bible shouldn't be a requirement for holding political office.
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