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.”
"Courts for years have allowed witnesses to use 'other than the Bible' during swearing in activities. Precedent has already been set."
Since the purpose is to make them tell the truth and impress upon the the need to tell the truth, I would think that a book they believe in would be the most effective.
I mean the Bible didn't stop Clinton from lying.
A Bible is just a book --- it doesn't have magical properties. It's believing what is in the Bible that makes the Bible work.
I would think a Koran (as worthless as it is) is the best bet to try to keep an worthless muslim from breaking his oath to uphold the US Constitution.
Give me a break. That's like saying white supremacists aren't the same as neo-Nazis.
"What, if anything, does the Constitution say about this abomination???"
That there will be no religious test for office holders.
The story was posted from a different source. Thanks for this. Apparently there have been many officials who have chosen to take the oath without placing a hand on the Bible. However, no one has ever used a book other than the Bible.
AMEN!!!
Nancee
I'm sure there was some precedent, particularly with respect to oaths and serving on jury or testifying in court e.g. "So Help Me God." Or, "I solemnly swear (or affirm), etc. Look for the ACLU?
Thank You Liberal Minnesotan's.
This has been posted on at leasdt two other threads
Yes, for example, Richard Nixon (a Quaker) "affirmed" that he would defend the Consitution.
"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." -- U.S. Constitution
yes.. they are called Democrats....
Let him do it. The next guy should swear on a stack of Playboys.
He should have had to swear on a pork sandwich and a Miller Lite instead.
Well, lessee.......
The Muslims say we all worship the same God....
Jesus is one of their revered prophets......
The Bible is acknowledged even by non Christians as being a holy book......
The Bible has historically been used for swearing in ceremonies nationwide since the founding of America.
So then what is Ellison's problem with using the Bible?
It is precisely because the God of the bible is NOT the God of the Koran. His refusal to use the Bible is an indicator of where his heart really lies. And it lies not with preserving America and its freedoms.
so? it needs to be posted and reposted so all are up on this.
You are quite ignorant.
They should put a Quran wrapper on a copy of Salman Rushdie's book "Satanic Verses" for him.
Could one argue that even the use of a Bible in the oath of office violates Article VI Clause 3 religious tests?
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
-PJ
After watching how utterly non-seriously those clowns take their oaths to uphold the Constitution, I've decided that they should swear them in on a stack of Mad magazines and compilation volumes of The Onion.
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