How do you feel about a Muslim Congressman taking his oath of office using the Koran?

Question

I think that part of the reason that the pilgrims came here was to escape religious persecution and that "Freedom of Religion" doesn't only apply if you intend to freely worship the Bible. The constitution of the United States clearly says that the government "Shall Establish No Religion", and though we as a country are clearly mostly Christians, our government has no official religion. Now that can be interpreted one of two ways: We can ban the use of all religious texts in our government, or we can include all religious texts not act like the Bible is the only acceptable one. I really don't see how people in our government don't realize that.

And the people that have concerns with "protecting American tradition" I would wonder if they think we should have only White Christian Men serve in our government because that's the way it was for so long.

Answer 1

Doesn't bother me a bit. The man is a Muslim, and it is certainly reasonable for him to take his oath of office with whatever book he holds sacred. (Don't mean to be flippant here...but he can grab his crotch, for all I care...)

There ARE certain questions I'd like to see a news reporter ask Congressman Ellison, however.

From what I've read of (and in) the Quran, it is the duty of every devout Muslim to take whatever steps necessary to bring Islamic law to the country in which he lives. For example, many of the leaders of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) have openly expressed their fervent desire to see the United States under Islamic Law. It is part of their devotion to Islam.

Instead of asking Keith Ellison what he's going to place his hand on during a routine ceremony, I'd like to see a reporter ask him the following question:

"Congressman Ellison, as a devout Muslim, would you like to see the United States under Islamic law? If so, how would you reconcile that with your oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States?"

I think that is a fair and reasonable question, and I'd like to hear Congressman Ellison's answer.

Answer 2

We want the oppressed to have a place where they are not oppressed but this land is and was a Nation under God and that is the true God not any other. It is the true Christian religion that caused the peace we have and the giving of others even those who believe differently a right to live in peace but not to cast out the true religion for a false one. Make no mistake we do it at the sake of every ones peace. We will be like every other nation ruled by Islam if we let the Koran and Islam become the accepted religion here. The Christian religion teaches peace but reality shows in many nations to day that Islam does not. We must remain one nation under the true God if we want to keep our freedoms.

Answer 3

Of course he/she should. "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." No religious test. The Oath of office is first and foremost a pledge to defend the US Constitution. The "tradition" of pledging on a Bible has existed because it is a book that the majority of public servants hold very sacred as most of them have been Christians. There is no law that requires a Bible to be used nor is there one that says you must say "so help me god".

Answer 4

What would be the point of swearing an oath on a book that means nothing to you?

The Constitution forbids any religious test to hold office, so demanding that a non-Christian swear on a Bible on any pretext is a direct violation of the Constitution.

Answer 5

I believe that anyone elected to office in America should be able to use whatever their beliefs hold as a text to be sworn in to office, be it a bible,Quran, Torah, the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Freedom from religious persecution means we shouldn't restrict and designate what is required. They are all taking an oath to defend the Constitution, and not to promote one religious text over another.

Answer 6

How do you feel about nominal Christian taking an oath on the Bible.

Jesus says in the Bible not to swear on the Bible.

Isn't that like double-talk?
You swear on the Bible to honor the Bible and God
And you disobey God by doing so????
Makes no sense... man made religion never does.

Jesus Christ is the truth, the way and the life... and that ain't no religion.

Answer 7

A Muslim can take an Oath on the Koran.

I do, however, have a problem with people who have a problem with "White Christian Men". I think your real agenda is showing.

Answer 8

I am against the whole thing. I know you will ream me for it but if you know anything about the Koran and really took the time to study it you would realize what I'm saying and considering we are at war with those of the Muslim faith it sounds insane. I don't care about protecting American traditions but American values and since our goverment was founded on Christian principles it would be against all that our founding fathers established.

Answer 9

Just as long as he keeps his oath to mend and denfend the constitution of the united states regardless of religion. but sadly alot did not keep their oath like these so called christians. America has a lot of trairtors in our government at about every level.

Answer 10

First off let me say i love my country. I love this land with all my heart. Lets face it though, America is going to **** quicker a fat guy on super-lax. We as Americans I'm sorry to say this but a lot of this country is being a really big pussy about everything. First off the government is letting immigrants push us around. That whole incident where they took the trees down because it offended a person in the airports. Kids can't have Christmas party's at school it has to be a holiday party. It really pisses me off that they are trying to take "One nation Under god" out of our pledge. Our nation was founded based on god, our forefathers based our constitution, laws, everything on god. It has been tradition that people are sworn in under the bible. If our country goes through with this it we are opening ourselves up for a whole load of ****. I really hope someone from Washington is reading this. They are destroying this country that we all as Americans have worked so hard to build. It is wrong that he be sworn in under the Koran its UN-American...