Swearing into office under the Koran?

Question

Recently, Keith Ellison swore into his congression position using the Koran.

I just wanted to hear some feedback and opinions on this.

I personally think it's great, eventhough I'm pretty sure most congress men or women don't swear in holding a Bible either.

Answer 1

I think the Koran he swore under was Thomas Jefferson's version, so there is history to it, cause it actually belonged and was written and translated by him. But I still dont understand why a Koran and not a bible, or why eiather of those.

Answer 2

Hey, good for Ellison. He's practicing religious freedom, and anyone who doesn't like it can go someplace where only one religion is allowed and all others are frowned upon. Like, say, Afghanistan while the Taliban was in power.

Congressmen are sworn in twice - once in the official ceremony, under the guidance of the Senate President or speaker of the house. There is no religious text used, and this is an en-masse swearing in.

Later, each congressman is sworn in individually in a public photo-op ceremony, almost always with a Bible. Although, in Ellison's case, he used an English translation of the Quran that belonged to Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson didn't translate it, as he didn't speak or read Arabic, though he did speak and read 6 languages besides English).

Answer 3

No one is required to swear in on anything, but they can do so as a matter of personal choice. In fact, they don't even hate to swear. The constitution specifies in Article II that the President may either "swear or affirm" to uphold the duties of their office. Congressmen are likewise "bound by Oath or Affirmation" to support the constitution. Neither the President nor any other elected official is required to swear on a Bible or any holy book or utter the words "so help me God." To require such a thing would be considered a "test of faith," which is prohibited by the Constitution.

The original reason for giving elected officials the right to merely "affirm" their intent to perform the duties of their office was because certain Christian groups (notably the Quakers) considered swearing a sin. This option is open to people of other faiths (or of no faith) as well.

The words "so help me God" were added by Franklin Roosevelt; many others since then have imitated his example as a personal choice. However, the "so help me God" thing is not a constitutional or legal requirement and was never intended to be. Many people mistakenly believe it is, which is something the Constitution clearly did not intend.

Likewise, George Washington was the first to swear upon the Bible during his oath. Most, but not all, Presidents and Congressmen elected since then have followed his example. Theodore Roosevelt, for example, did not swear his oath of office on the Bible, and John Quincy Adams swore on a law book.

Since the choice of whether or not to swear on a book of faith or any other book is clearly a personal issue, there's absolutely no reason why Ellison should not swear in on the Koran. Those who disagree are simply misinformed about the U.S. Constitution and the history of this great country.

Answer 4

Swearing on the bible is not a requirement but more an unofficial thing. It is written nowhere that anyone nor the bible is the official faith book or christianity the official religion in the US.
Also, it is a very personal act to swear on your highest belief to uphold what you run for and job.
Also, how would everyone feel if the person was an atheist and had to swear on the Bible ? How much value or moral or weight would have that swearing act have then ? Perjury? Lie ?

All this rahrah is simply irrelevant, simply because of the witchhunt on a certain people nowadays.

Answer 5

OMG, did anyone open the Bible McCain was sworn in on and make sure it wasn't the Satanic Bibie?!! Here's what you, and everybody else who knows that Obama was sworn in on the Koran should do: Look for the picture of that secret Koran (and not photoshopped). Do NOT post any more questions or answers on politics until you find it!!!

Answer 6

Every public official swears in on a holy book when they take office. So far, this is the first Muslim to be elected to Congress, and as such, he used a Koran, one that was owned by Thomas Jefferson. As a non-Christian, it wouldn't have made any sense to use a Bible.

It's great that more people are being represented in our congress, and that's going to mean people of different religions. I think it should have been a non-issue.

Answer 7

In private ceremonies they often hold the Bible. There have been other books used, the Tenakh by Jews and a law book by one President. Personally, I'd use the Constitution.

Anything to represent your commitment to the position you are entering into. If it were a picture of your children, I'd be fine with that too. Shoot, even finishing it off with "cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye" is okay by me.

But trying to get people to use something they don't believe in either makes the person taking the oath into a hypocrite or liar.

Answer 8

Religous freedom is one of the major factors in founding this country. All religions are welcome.
Bible, old or new testement or the Koran it makes no difference.
You can even be an athiest and still swear your alliegence to the country.

Answer 9

Not sure what the big deal is on this. There have been Jewish members swearing in on their holy book as well as Catholics on theirs. When the wiccans and satanists get elected I am sure they will be swearing in on whatever they find holy as well.

Answer 10

If the Koran has his highest devotion and respect then perhaps that is why he wanted to use it. He is saying he'll give his office that level of respect, his highest.