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Title: At Swearing In, Congressman wants to Carry Koran, Outrage Ensues
Source:
Christian Science Monitor
URL Source: [None]
Published: Dec 8, 2006
Author: Jane Lampman
Post Date: 2006-12-08 15:59:31 by bluedogtxn
Keywords: None
Views: 281
Comments: 12
At swearing in, congressman wants to carry Koran. Outrage ensues. By Jane Lampman | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor Keith Ellison hasn't even started his new job, and he's already under fire. When America's first Muslim congressman, a Democrat from Minnesota, let it be known he will carry a Koran to his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 4, conservative pundit Dennis Prager (WHO IS JEWISH) called it "an act of hubris ... that undermines American civilization." In a web column, the talk-show host said, "Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress." The column has sparked a brouhaha on talk radio, in the blogosphere, and in newspapers across the country. The congressman's office has been inundated with angry e-mails. The US Constitution says nothing about swearing on the Bible. But some commentators insist the US is a Christian nation, and the proposed act goes against its values and tradition. To others, the uproar shows an ignorance of the Constitution and the principle of religious freedom. Some people worry that it reflects growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the country. Constitution is clear To legal experts, no room for confusion exists. "A congressman having to swear an oath on a scripture that he doesn't believe in was unconstitutional from the very moment the Constitution was signed," says Kevin Hasson, head of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. "It would be beyond irony to violate the Constitution in the very act of requiring a congressman to swear his loyalty to uphold the Constitution." In Congress, newly elected representatives do not put their left hands on any book. They raise their right hands, and are sworn in together as the speaker of the House administers the oath of office. Some do carry a book, according to House historians, and some choose to photograph a private swearing-in afterward with their hand on the Bible. One senator is known to have carried an expanded Bible that included the Book of Mormon. The Constitution says: "The senators and representatives ... 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." Some confusion may come from the long-standing tradition of presidents taking the oath with a hand on the Bible. But this is a choice and matter of custom, as is the phrase, "so help me God." President John Quincy Adams took the oath on a law book including the Constitution. President Theodore Roosevelt didn't use a book. "The United States is not a Christian state or even a generically religious state," says Derek Davis, a church-state expert at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. "We've worked hard for 200 years plus to uphold a principle of religious freedom for all citizens." In allowing for an affirmation in place of an oath, the Constitution also makes room for atheists or agnostics. Prager, who is Jewish, has come under fire from fellow Jews. The Anti-Defamation League issued a statement calling his argument "intolerant, misinformed, and downright un-American." Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, says the text used should be that which "is most sacred to the individual taking the oath. To ask ... otherwise is not only disrespectful to the person and to an entire religious tradition, but is asking the public official to be hypocritical." The Council for American-Islamic Relations has called for Prager to be dropped from his recent presidential appointment to the Holocaust Memorial Council. "He is trying to marginalize Muslims by making it seem as though any practice of American Muslims is different or 'other' than what America stands for," says Arsalan Iftikhar, CAIR's legal counsel. What the courts have decided US courts have dealt with the issue in various ways. In a 1997 federal terrorism case, a Washington, D.C., judge permitted witnesses to swear to Allah. In North Carolina in 2005, a woman was not allowed to take the oath on the Koran when testifying. The American Civil Liberties Union has sued, and the case is in appeal. At least 17 state constitutions explicitly prohibit discrimination against witnesses or jurors on religious grounds. Some allow people to swear or affirm "under the pains and penalties of perjury," omitting "so help me God." Judges generally have jurisdiction over how oaths are administered in their courts. Mr. Iftikhar says that some judges have allowed the use of the Koran. The purpose of the court "is not to promote Christianity or Judaism or Islam or any other religion," Dr. Davis emphasizes. "It's to elicit truth from witnesses." Mr. Ellison's office did not provide the Monitor with a statement, but his incoming chief of staff, Kari Moe, has said the issue is straightforward. "Religious freedom is a tradition in our country," she told the Associated Press. For his part, Prager has posted a new column on the http://townhall.com website in response to the criticism. In a phone interview, he says he agrees that religious freedom does allow Ellison to use whatever book he likes. "But I'm afraid we are becoming a diverse, secular society without any roots, and this is symbolically an example of that," he says. "The Bible is the repository of our values, not the Constitution ... and I'm asking him to honor that and include the Bible along with the Koran."
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#1. To: bluedogtxn (#0)
This isn't even news. Let the guy practice whatever he wants to. After he betrays the people he represents, then take him to task for his little religious beliefs. Religious freedom in this country is a fucking joke. More importantly, if you're involved with one of the organized faiths in this world, you're actually part of the problem with the world. People can't get along as it is, and then they have to inject their fucking faith into everything. Being objective is a lost art in this country, and pretty much all over the world. Religion, like everything else we are forcefed, is meant to be divisive, and create problems between people. It's not for uniting people, or improving life, it's for division. If people were to come together in peace, they'd realize how much they're being used, and how from cradle to grave they're nothing but slaves. This is why I cannot stand organized religion in any form. People can practice their faith and all that, that doesn't bother me. What bothers me is when they try to use it to coerce others into doing what they want.
 | This country's priorities are all fucked up. |
#2. To: bluedogtxn (#0) (Edited)
In a web column, the talk-show host said, "Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress." Prager should read the anti-Christian passages from the Talmud (not Torah - thanks Dak) sometime.
When America's first Muslim congressman, a Democrat from Minnesota, let it be known he will carry a Koran to his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 4, conservative pundit Dennis Prager (WHO IS JEWISH) called it "an act of hubris ... that undermines American civilization."
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer."
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#3. To: robin (#2)
I think you mean the talmud. The Torah is simply the first five books of the old testament, a sublime piece of misanthropy itself, but written long before the advent of Christianity .
When the going gets weird the weird turn pro. - Hunter S Thompson
#4. To: Dakmar (#3)
Yes, thanks, I do that every once in awhile. I'm fixing it now!
"The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer."
---Henry Kissinger, New York Times, October 28, 1973
#5. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#1)
My thoughts exactly.. so the fuck what?? WHO cares? My adeiu about nothing.. these people need to go lay down .. do they focus on real issues?? Like FREEDOM and the fact this country is falling into a facist state?? NO they add to it and WANT facism..
#6. To: robin (#2)
The whole thing is a farce. The Congress is an arm of the private Jewish corporation known as the United States. The cornerstone of the building is Judeo-Masonic. They have declared the BIBLE the Word of God: CONGRESS DECLARES BIBLE "THE WORD OF GOD". PUBLIC LAW 97-280 OCT. 4, 1982. Public Law 97-280 96 STAT. 1211 97th Congress. Joint Resolution. Authorizing and requesting the President ... http://www.gemworld.com/USAvsUS-BIBLE.htm The whole Bible, of course, includes the New Testament, which turned over the reins of the world to Christians [Rev. 5:9-10]. The Congress also passed the Jewish Supremacy Law PL 102-14, which declares our nation was founded on the non-existant Noahide Laws, and which would outlaw the New Testament Bible, and further declares that Christians are idolators, and must be beheaded. Merry Christmas, and OFF WITH YOUR HEAD! More of that later. Here is JHR 104, Public Law 102-14: ... Merry Christmas, and OFF WITH YOUR HEAD! by Carol A. Valentine, May 15, 2002: What does the ... http://www.public- action.com/christmas.html The Constitution was a contract to bind the people to the Jewish bankster debt. The PEOPLE never signed it. I think it all should be trashed, and Congress thrown into the sea. goooood morning!
#7. To: robin (#6)
forgot something....let the white house and the supreme court and the federal reserve and the irs and ssecurity and homeland security and the adl and all the other gestapo be their anchor.
Congress thrown into the sea.
#8. To: AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt (#6)
Like God needs these pettifoggers approval to declare anything for Him !!!
CONGRESS DECLARES BIBLE "THE WORD OF GOD". PUBLIC LAW 97-280 OCT. 4, 1982. Public Law 97-280 96 STAT. 1211 97th Congress. Joint Resolution. Authorizing and requesting the President ...
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined."
Patrick Henry
#9. To: noone222 (#8)
aw, you know, and I know, and GOD certainly knows the Bible is His Word, and doesn't need anyone to declare it. On the other hand, noone, I think the Bible does allude to them doing this....let's see....[keeping in mind, there is VERY little doubt in my mind that America is the New Jerusalem]: Jer 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock. http://www.bluelett erbible.org/kjv/Jer/Jer031.html#10 http://www.blueletter bible.org/tsk_b/Jer/31/10.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Isa 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And that's what all the fuss is about. It's the battle of the two eagles in Ezekiel 17:1-10, and we already know which one will prevail [Matthew 15:13]. America is for the regathering of the twelve tribes, and the Gentiles [Isaiah 49:6], and all who believe in His name [John 3:16; Ezekiel 34:11-13/John 10/Rev. 5-9-10]. I was reading a link I posted yesterday [ http://goodnewsaboutgod.com]. It was saying that the word translated GENTILE, if you look it up in the concordance, is the same as NATION, and "gentile" was thrown in to obscure the true meaning to fulfill someone's little agenda. I had read something about this before, but have to admit I have not checked it out for myself, yet.
#10. To: robin, Dakmar (#2)
In a web column, the talk-show host said, "Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress." Prager should read the anti-Christian passages from the Talmud (not Torah - thanks Dak) sometime. Speaking of oaths and the Talmud, I wonder what Prager thinks about agents of the Homeland Gestapo agency taking an oath on it: The **News Wire**For starters, go to our website http://www.avoiceforchildren.com and read what is there on the false ... who took an "oath" on the Talmud, as did Gov Kitzhaber . ... http://www.avoiceforchildren.com/news/5-02thru10-02.html - 96k - Cached - Similar pages FAKE OATH USED TO FORM DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY THE NOAHIDE LAWS ...What Ashcroft, Powell and Rumsfeld know is that they are not sworn at all to anything, ... "These instructions, found first in the Babylonian Talmud ... http://www.avoiceforchildren.com/ news/2002/July/Public%20Law%20102-14.htm PresidentThe "kill all Gentiles" concept can be found in the Talmud, the basic book of ... What Ashcroft, Powell and Rumsfeld know is that they are not sworn at all ... http://www.samliquidation.com /president.htm - I also read that there's a suit somewhere against George Bush for not signing HIS oath, so he is seated unconstitionally. If you want to search it, it was a link on a long article about the Public Extermination Project Water [search] Then you could go to http://theempirejournal.com and read about all the false oaths some judges et al take: New Judge In Activist Case Albany Officials Testy About Inquiries, Oaths Questionable ... judge Thomas Keefe. http ://www.theempirejournal.com/albany_woman_forcibly_injected_w.htm ... http://www.theempirejournal.com/New_Folder/new_judge_in_activist_case.htm - As I said, the whole thing, govt et al, is a farce.
When America's first Muslim congressman, a Democrat from Minnesota, let it be known he will carry a Koran to his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 4, conservative pundit Dennis Prager (WHO IS JEWISH) called it "an act of hubris ... that undermines American civilization."
#11. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#1)
bump He'll probably do a better job than all those "Christians" in deecee.
People can practice their faith and all that, that doesn't bother me. What bothers me is when they try to use it to coerce others into doing what they want.
-Thomas Paine
#12. To: AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt (#9)
America is for the regathering of the twelve tribes, and the Gentiles [Isaiah 49:6], and all who believe in His name [John 3:16; Ezekiel 34:11-13/John 10/Rev. 5-9-10]. I was reading a link I posted yesterday [ http://goodnewsaboutgod.com]. It was saying that the word translated GENTILE, if you look it up in the concordance, is the same as NATION, and "gentile" was thrown in to obscure the true meaning to fulfill someone's little agenda. I had read something about this before, but have to admit I have not checked it out for myself, yet. My personal opinion is that America is unknowingly re-gathered Israel, whether or not it's the new Jerusalem. I do believe it's described as the new Zion and the daughter of Zion too. The 10 Northern Tribes were removed from Jerusalem and never returned there, and WERE NEVER KNOWN AS JEWS. [They were still stubborn, stiff-necked and pagans ... that's why Yahweh divorced em ... however, to get a firmer grip on the ultimate outcome read the Book of Hosea where it's all described pretty clearly.] And, since the "LAW" forbade a man to remarry his ex after she had whored out (like Israel did by worshipping in the groves and by worshipping idols) the Messiah was allowed to die and resurrect so Israel could be the bridesmaid and He could be the Groom within the Law. This (Israel is us theory) is primarily why I think WW III will take place as much in America as anywhere else ... Ezekiel 37, 38 and 39 describes a place far more comparable to the U.S. than Israel for sure ! Yahweh says, I am not the author of confusion.
there is VERY little doubt in my mind that America is the New Jerusalem]:
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined."
Patrick Henry
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