Oh Say Can You Swear On A Koran ? (Is Dennis Prager's opinion About Rep. Ellision Correct ?)

National Review ^ | 11/29/2006 | Eugene Volokh

[GOP_1900AD]

Sussman had an imam on his show last night. Any real Muslim would not swear on the Koran, they'd swear on nothing and make their oath only to God. Not unlike certain other sects, actually. There have been a number of swearings in using this approach previously. This clown Ellison doesn't have a leg to stand on.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Isn't it a fact that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles? And so the Bible is the book that exemplifies those values? Even though we're not a theocracy, we tolerate other faiths or no faith at all, while still having Judeo-Christian values.

Whereas the Koran is incompatible with American values. So it's troubling to see someone swear on a book of a religion that is incompatible with America.

If a communist somehow were elected to Congress, would we be happy to see him or her swear an oath on the Communist Manifesto?

[Brilliant]

I don't have a problem with a Muslim swearing on the Koran so much as I have a problem with a Muslim being in Congress.


It strikes me that we don't want our government to be run by the adherents of a religion that advocates (and perpetrates) the killing of innocent people, and then blames it on the Jews.

[TeenagedConservative]

No one should be allowed to swear in with their hand on a book that espouses genocide.

END OF STORY. I don't care if some people think Islam is a religion; it's a death cult.

[Leg Olam]

Already here

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1745104/posts

[SirLinksalot]

Already here http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1745104/posts

I know, but this is the author's response to Dennis Prager's article.

[BlueYonder]

Has anyone yet asked Obama whether he would swear on a Bible or a Koran?

Oh, that's right. He's still undecided on whether or not to run for higher office. /sarc

[kenth]

Since its a rarity, if ever, that a congressman adheres to his oath of office to uphold the Constitution that he swore to do, what does it really matter? Swearing on the Koran will have as little meaning as those who have sworn on the Bible, as far as their oath of office goes.

[conservative in nyc]

House members are traditionally sworn in en masse by the Speaker of the House on the House floor during the first day Congress is in session. In 2005, Congressmen were just asked to raise their right hand. C-SPAN's video of the event doesn't appear to show many hands on Bibles - there's simply not enough space on the House floor for every Congressman to have an aide or family member hold the Bible.

House members sometimes have ceremonial one-on-one "swearing in" photo-ops in the Speaker's office after the main event. That's the only time you'd likely see Ellison "swearing" on the Koran.

[Scourge of God]

Let’s just fix this up to reflect reality:

“Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress, has announced that he will not take his oath of office to the United States Constitution, but on the law of Islam, Sharia. “

[From many - one.]

A little solid info spoiling the hysteria.

There are Jews in congress...I assume they use an Old Testament, if anything. I think Quakers affirm, not swear.

Tempest in a teacup (too small to be a teapot)

[Montfort]

"If a communist somehow were elected to Congress, would we be happy to see him or her swear an oath on the Communist Manifesto?"

No. She'll be happy to swear on the Bible, just so long as she gets the power.

[elc]

I was going to ask - what does Lieberman use?

[SirLinksalot]

Has anyone yet asked Obama whether he would swear on a Bible or a Koran?

I don't know this for a fact... IS BARACK OBAMA A MUSLIM ?

[tellw]

According to the Almanac of American Politics, Obama's religion is United Church of Christ.

[nothingnew]

No.

FMCDH(BITS)

[CT-Freeper]

Respectfully, this guy's a bigger idiot than Prager.

Nobody is bound to place their hand on anything while swearing/affirming their duty to protect & uphold the Constitution.

[CT-Freeper]

Oops..I think I made the big FR error of not reading the article completely and concisely...I am more in agreement with the author than I thought.

My bad.

[Silly]

Respectfully, this guy's a bigger idiot than Prager.

I agree, and that's saying a lot.