What is the symbolic meaning of Ellison swearing in on the Koran?

Question

Recently, a Democratic congressman named Ellison, a Muslim, insisted upon being sworn in on Thomas Jefferson's Koran for symbolic reasons.

Jefferson initiated a war against the Muslim Barbary Pirates and used the Koran to understand his Muslim opponents.

So, what is the real symbolic message Ellison just gave Americans?

Lots of good answers so far. This raises another angle: Is it possible for a true Muslim to put his first loyalty in our Constitution and Nation when their principles are violations of Islam? Sharia and our Constitution simply do not mix.

I think we should all be aware of the process of Islamic takeover of a society:
Understanding Jihad
http://members.tripod.com/iaislam/UJ.htm

Answer 1

That he wants to understand his Muslim opponents? (terrorists)

Answer 2

Jefferson was a scholar and I doubt very much that you have a clue as to why he had a Koran.

Ellison insisted on being sworn in on the Koran because he's a muslim. It would be pretty absurd for a muslim to be sworn in placing his hand on a holy book of a different religion. If I was elected to public office I would also refuse to place my hand on a bible for the swearing in - I'm not a christian and to swear an oath on a book that has no meaning to me is quite simply idiotic.

The real symbolism is in how upset Christian conservatives got that anyone would buck the pressure to pretend to be Christian for the sake of tradition. It shows their ignorance of the 1st amendment, and their intollerance of other religions.

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EDIT: Chris S, you claim the country was founded on Judeo-Christian values - of the 10 commandments only murder, stealing, and (sometimes) lying are against the law. That's three out of ten... and last I checked Islam CAME FROM JUDAISM as did Christianity.... so you're really wrong on both points. The fact is, American values were based more on the values of Great Brittian's magna carta and the idea of "common law" than anything else.
EDIT #2: Chris S, your response to my comment was idiotic. It didn't adress what I said at all and ignores the fact that American values are basicly English values, and have nothing to do with Judaism or Christianity. If you think Christianity has a big problem with murder then I suggest you read up about the Spanish Inquasition, Nazi Germany, or the Crusades. Also let's not forget that the bible has no problem with owning people as slaves. If you really need more examples of why the ideals of this country are not the same as "Judao-Christian values" then you're beyond hope.

As for me being an appeaser of Islam - laughable. I can't stand Christians, but I'm even more bothered by Muslims (Jews are by far the most tolerable religious people). The fact that you're threatened by Ellison is pretty funny. The guy is a secularist and would be hated by any radical muslim. The reason he wanted to be sworn in on the Koran was to promote religious tolerance not to show his devotion to Islam.

Answer 3

The "real" symbolic reason for the use of the Koran is that Ellison, as a Muslim, chose to use the Holy Scripture of his religion, just as many a Christian uses a Bible. Using a Koran that had belonged to Thomas Jefferson symbolizes the freedom of religion in this country. Jefferson did not make war on Islam. He fought against pirates that happened to be Muslims and he wanted to see if he could gain an advantage by understanding their beliefs. If you see some secret, evil symbolism in this act, express it. I do not.

Answer 4

Actually, Ellison was sworn in on no book whatsoever.

All members get sworn in in a group ceremony.

The Qu'ran thing was just a photo op. And he didn't insist on using Jefferson's Qu'ran... it was suggested to him.

Hope this helps. Have a great day.

Answer 5

The official swearing in ceremony is done en masse without any books. The photo opt was an expression of his 1st amendment right. He is an active advocate for many Islamic causes.

A statement taken from Wikipedia:

According to Ellison, "It demonstrates that from the very beginning of our country, we had people who were visionary, who were religiously tolerant, who believed that knowledge and wisdom could be gleaned from any number of sources, including the Quran."

Answer 6

Actually, the Koran was the photo op book used. All members are sworn in using the Bible en-masse. I fail to see the hoopla here. The guy is a Muslim after all.

Answer 7

That we respect religious freedom. that he has not only sworn to do his job to the people, but to his god as well.

I think he used that particular Koran so people wouldn't complain as much.

I hope one day an Atheist will swear on a copy of the constituion or a similair book/document. obviously we won't be using the original constitution, but maybe we could find a special copy as well

Answer 8

What would be the symbolism of an atheist like me swearing to uphold the office and the constitution WITHOUT a book? Nothing. Zero. It would have no meaning whatsoever to my ability to do my duty.

Answer 9

Loads of congressmen and senators are sworn in on the Bible i.e. their holy book. Why shouldn't a muslim be sworn in on his holy book?

I think people are over-egging the "symbolism".

Answer 10

As far as Jefferson's "war" against the Barbary Pirates, it wasn't a war. They were attacking shipping off the coast and he, rightfully, had the Navy and Marines pursue them. As far as Ellison being sworn in on the Koran, he was sending a message that his allegiance is to Islam first, not the US. The US was not founded on Islamic values, it was founded on Judeo-Christian values. The God of Islam doesn't respect individual rights, it's all about submission.

Postscript:brooks b-The Judeo-Christian values I referred to are what gave birth to Western civilization, also known as Christendom, which gave us, among many other great ideas, the Magna Carta, and the concept of human/individual rights. We’re still waiting for some magnanimous concepts from the Muslim world. As far as quoting commandments, Islam, unlike Christianity, allows murder. It also allows lying, and infidelity, and child marriage. You’d be hard-pressed to find a priest, minister, or rabbi telling his followers to kill their wives for infidelity, or to kill non-believers, or to send their children to blow themselves up. Imams do it all the time, but hey-that’s multiculturalism for you. Oh yeah, the virgins the supposedly get, do you really think they’re OVER 18? Yes, the murderous child rapist Mohammed took some of his ideas from Judaism, but completely perverted them into his death cult. As far as evil Christian Conservatives- our concern is the rapid spread of a “religion” which is completely incompatible with Western Values, throughout the Western world, and the appeasement of it from people like you. I’m well versed on the First Amendment, my friend, as are most conservatives. Unlike most seculars who try desperately to silence opposing viewpoints, we love listening to libs. You guys crack us up. We’re not the intolerant ones. One more thing, if you’re trying to present yourself as educated and enlightened, try using spell check.

Answer 11

That he is a Muslim and swore in on the book he believes in?