First Muslim Congressman to Swear Oath on Koran
And He's Using Thomas Jefferson's Copy
Further controversy errupted when it was learned that Ellison intended to swear his oath of office on the Koran. The public swearing-in ceremony for congress does not involve the use of any holy books at all; members are expected to raise their hands and swear. The ceremony Ellison was referring to was a private ceremonial oath that has become tradition for many members of Congress. Nonetheless, Representative Virgil Goode (R-VA) sent out a letter saying that Ellison's intention to swear his oath of office on the Koran is a threat to "the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America." Goode also wrote that, "if American citizens don't wake up and adopt . . .[my] position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran."
However, lawyer and longtime Minnesota state legislator Keith Ellison is not an immigrant. He was born in the United States, and can trace his lineage in our country back to 1743. And today he answered Representative Goode's criticisms by using a copy of the Koran donated to the Library of Congress by Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson, of course, was the author of the Declaration of Independence, our third President, an avid collector of books--and the most famous resident of Virgil Goode's own district in Albemarle County. But perhaps Keith Ellison's use of Jefferson's copy of the Koran is more symbolic than the mere needling of a political opponent.
Some point out that it was because of Thomas Jefferson and men like him that the Constitution of the United States demands that "...no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." Others wonder what all the controversy is about, asserting that the whole idea of taking an oath on a holy book is to ensure the sincerity of the oath-taker. They ask whether demanding Ellison to take his oath with one hand on the bible would not be like asking him to swear on a store catalog.
Ellison explains himself like this, "When I'm officially sworn in, I will do it the same exact way as every other Congressperson-elect who was sworn in," explains the Representative from Minneapolis. "We will all stand up and in unison lift our hand and swear to uphold that Constitution, and then later, in a private ceremony, of course I'll put my hand on a book that is the basis of my faith, which is Islam, and I think that this is a beauty - this is a wonderful thing for our country because Jewish members will put their hands on the Torah. Mormon members will put their hand on the Book of Mormon. Catholic members will put their hand on the book of their choice - and members that don't want to put their hand on any book are also fully free to do that. That's the American way. ... I think the diversity of our country is a great strength. It's a good thing that we have people from all faiths and all cultures to come here."
Published by Stephanie Dray
Stephanie Dray is an author of historical fiction. Her debut novel, LILY OF THE NILE, will hit bookstore shelves in January 2011. She's a storyteller, a game designer, and a cat trainer. In a previous life,... View profile
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12 Comments
Post a Comment@ Maverick,
Yes, going back to the 17th century and get our morals in order. Those were great times when women had no rights and slavery was commonplace and condoned by the church. This is what you want. Slavery is better than freedom of religion. You need to get your morals in order.
Witchcraft, eh?.. surely that includes things such as walking on water or coming back from the dead? lol Maverick C, what a character.. envious of the 17th century, where he probably wouldn't survived a day after birth, if he even made it that far - damn those witchcraft-practicing knowledge-seeking scientists lowering the infant mortality rate so much that he actually lives long enough to express his ridiculous uninformed opinions.
To the commenter below me:
Are you saying that you honestly believe in witches? I keep trying to think of how to respond, but I am completely speechless...
I got a kick out of that 17th Century in comparison to the 21st Century. In the 17th Century witches were burned to a steak, schools were in churches and the bible was the main source or reading material, it was very rare for anyone to NOT attend church. Most people would agree that the moral standards for the majority of Americans was a large percentage higher than today. Now today we condone witchcraft, remove bible and prayer from schools, and blow off church for a football game. Our morality standards have dropped so far that we now have kids shooting kids in our schools, libraries, and on our streets, and these idiots out there think the problem is the access to guns. We need to go back to the 17th Century and get our morals back in order. Anyone who says its time to get with the 21st Century needs help!
I would suggest that you read the old testament, and see why the muslim religion hates infidels
I would suggest that you read the old testament, and see why the muslim religion hates infidels
Good article...and I hope that Mr. Ellison is the first of many "non-traditionally religious" candidates. I really want to see the first major candidate win who is a confirmed Atheist...
This is so interesting. I really don't see the use of swearing by any book at all, although I am a devout Christian and think that the Holy Bible is the inspired word of God. I know it's symbolic, but really. I like to choose my battles, and this one seems so unimportant. It's certainly telling, however, of those people who made such a big stink over it. Thank you for the article.
Huzzah!
I think it's absolutely wonderful that Congressman Ellison has the courage to swear in using his own faith. I prefer such honesty than if he had been forced to use the Christian bible. We are supposed to have freedom of religion and those who have problems with this historic event need to start living in the twentyfirst century instead of the seventeenth. I applaud the congressman for exercising his rights as an American citizen.