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http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006037366

Congress' First Elected Muslim To Use The Quran During Oath Of Office

January 4, 2007 11:03 a.m. EST

Ayinde O. Chase - All Headline News Staff

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Congress' first elected Muslim, Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, D-Minn., will be taking the oath of office on Thursday and will be using a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson. His taking of the oath is poignant as he's sending a message that "religious differences are nothing to be afraid of."

After learning the centuries old keepsake of Jefferson was being stored at the Library of Congress, Ellison decided he wanted to use it.

According to historians Jefferson, the United State's third president was an avid collector of books in different languages on a range of topics.

An AP report says Ellison revealed, "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."

However the oath issue had been a hot topic in nation's capitol. However President Bush has made a very concerted effort to stay away from the controversy, even though the charge was led by one of his appointees - a very vocally outspoken talk show host named Dennis Prager who Bush appointed to the prestigious United States Holocaust Museum Board.

"Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned," Prager wrote, "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."

Ellison has said, "A visionary like Thomas Jefferson was not afraid of a different belief system."

"This just shows that religious tolerance is the bedrock of our country, and religious differences are nothing to be afraid of."

Yahoo News is reporting Jefferson sold the book to Congress in 1815 as part of a collection.

The chief of the Library of Congress' rare book and special collections division, Mark Dimunation says, "This is considered the text that shaped Europe's understanding of the Quran."

The historic text was sold to Congress in 1815 as part of 6,400 volume Jefferson owned in an attempt to replace the congressional library that had been burned by British troops in the War of 1812.

"As a rare book librarian," Dimunation said, "there is something special about the idea that Thomas Jefferson's books are being walked across the street to the Capitol building, to bring in yet another session of governmental structure that he helped create."

noni wrote:
"Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned," Prager wrote, "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."

Ummm correct me if I am wrong but isn't America supposedly a democratic country....

a country where people are free to practice their own religions...

Isn't America a country where church and state are separate...or, am I thinking of a different America

bushra21 wrote:

noni wrote:
"Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned," Prager wrote, "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."

Ummm correct me if I am wrong but isn't America supposedly a democratic country....

a country where people are free to practice their own religions...

Isn't America a country where church and state are separate...or, am I thinking of a different America

not really. Although there is a "separation" b/w church and state its really alot more complicated than that.

asdfasdf128 wrote:
not really. Although there is a "separation" b/w church and state its really alot more complicated than that.

It isn't complicated, it's just not complete when it comes to the major issues like gay marriege in most US states.America is still a christian country. there is no political reason against gay marriege but there's a religious one which they are sticking to.If it wasn't a christian country gays would be allowed to marry in any state EDIT: they live in and they woudn't have to move to a different state than thier's just to marry!

asdfasdf128 wrote:not really. Although there is a "separation" b/w church and state its really alot more complicated than that.

my point exactly....its supposedly seperate. thats how it is supposed to be....but it isnt...the country is not a democracy...and people fail to realise this.

Well Bushra, they still have people swearing on Bibles, so that should give you an indication on how separate church and state are. Frankly I'm surprised they haven't substituted the Bible with a copy of the Constitution if they want to actually appear secular.

I personally see nothing wrong with using a Quran for a Muslim person. Conservatives of every faith get their knickers in a knot about perceived threats to their faith or way of life. They see the US as a Christian country and want to keep up the Christian traditions. It isn't logical for any government representative to criticise the use of the Quran or any other religious book if the whole point is that the person in question is swearing an oath on a book that he/she takes very seriously.

kanelli wrote:Well Bushra, they still have people swearing on Bibles, so that should give you an indication on how separate church and state are. Frankly I'm surprised they haven't substituted the Bible with a copy of the Constitution if they want to actually appear secular.
.

I know ...


that is why i said what i said.