United States Congressman to be sworn in using Quran.

I think that is exciting. He will have an historic first to add to his credits. I feel that if he were to use a Bible for his swearing in it would seem hypocritical or maybe sacreligious. I don't believe that there is anything written into law saying that a Bible MUST be used for swearing in. I believe that the use of it in the United States was a carryover from the British Judicial System. Someone correct me if I am wrong. But the Bible has no meaning or "value" to a Muslim as much as the Quran would have. I wonder what will replace the word in "so help me God"...I should think they would use Allah. Why should I be offended...the constitution grants everyone the freedom of religion and to not let Ellison use the Quran to take his oath would be taking away this right. We have to be true to our values in any and all logical solutions.

I think it is much ado about nothing. For both sides. This congressman could have simply gone with the program instead of insisting upon a Quran and creating controversy especially in a time when things are quite unstable. It is almost like he isn't satisfied if people are not aware that he is in fact a Muslim. I am not attacking his religios beliefs, I am attacking the fact that he acted like he needed everyone to know for some reason. I am neither Christian or Muslim but once when I was going to a hearing I had to swear on the Bible and I didn't fuss or demand my book to swear on. I realised that it is all symbolic and it doesn't matter what the book is really. It stands for the fact that you, as a person, who believes in what ever you believe.... swear that you will comply with their rules by virtue of your own faith. It could have been a dictionary for all I cared, the principal is the same. I don't know why people need to have emphasis and attention in public of who they are and what the perscribe to. Does it affect anyone's life really that this man is a Muslim? No.

The Koran is his holy book, he should be able to use it. In courts, witnesses and jurors are allowed to be sworn on a Bible or to "affirm" that they will tell the truth, if they are not religious. I don't see why a Congressman should have fewer rights than the average guy serving jury duty. In past decades Catholics, blacks, etc. were met with similar suspicion and criticism. Our country is strong enough and tolerant enough to embrace people of all faiths. Or of no religious faith.

a very good news - historic moment for muslims and i think no one shud be offended by mr.Ellison swearing with the holy book QURAN and why are americans scared with muslims being representative or a senator its not written in any constitution that america is only a country of christians and non - secular country then why does it allow to enter muslims,buddhists,hindus,jews and many others.if u have a problem then don't allow them.simple as that but if u cannot stop them then don't bark about it.

I think that's the perfect thing to do. Why would you ask a Muslim to swear before a Bible? They don't believe in the Bible, so the swearing would be kind of pointless, as they'd be swearing with no faith. ^.^ THINK ABOUT IT! ^.^

I am a Christian, yet I shall say that Keith Ellison should use Koran, if he so desires for his swearing in. I think we should not impose our religion upon other people though we may share to them and even reason things out about the reasonableness of our religion with them. I also strongly feel that Islamic nation also should be more open to other religion. Many muslim enjoy right to freedom of religion in other countries, but such kind of freedom is not given in Islamic countries. I would urge muslims to be more open in this regard, and those muslim who enjoy such freedom where they are in minority need to speak up for people of other religion but living in muslim dominated country.

All religions are wrong and none should be used in the swearing in process.

Just to add a historic perspective -- Madison was sworn in as president on the Constitution. A Mormon Congressman was sworn in on a copy of the Book of Mormon. The Koran that Representative Ellison will be using is from the Library of Congress and is Thomas Jefferson's own copy of that holy book. I don't care what they swear to or on, as long as they keep the oath they are swearing.

The Koran is his holy book, so yes he should be sworn in on that. In courtrooms jurors and witnesses can be sworn in without a Bible if they are not religious, so I can't imagine why a congressman should have fewer rights than the average citizen on jury duty. Some people have said he must be sworn in on the Bible because our country is based on Christianity, but weren't some of the framers of the constitution not all that religious, or of different religious beliefs? Thomas Jefferson was a deist, I believe, not a Christian.

Where to begin? How about that oath Ellison will take? He will pledge to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States." If the wild talkers scrunch up their brows and focus really, really hard, maybe even they will recall that freedom of (and from) religion -- that which motivated the Pilgrims to brave the Atlantic -- is the paramount value Ellison will swear to protect. Scrunch a little more, and perhaps they will even recall that the Constitution specifically prohibits any religious test for members of Congress. Requiring someone to put their hand on a Bible would seem to fill the "religious test" bill quite well. That's probably why no religious book plays an official role in swearing in members of Congress. They gather on the House floor, raise their right hands and follow as the speaker leads them through the oath. Some pose privately for photos with a book of choice, but the official oath is unencumbered by religious tomes of any flavor.

I am fine with it, because it upholds a very specific order of our founding fathers. They wanted strict separation of church and state, but wanted the civil rights of all citizens and their religious affiliation to be protected. I am not a fan of religion per say, but I am a big fan of following the constitution and its subsequent treaties.

I dont really care if anyone uses Bible or Quran or Encyclopedia for swearing ceremony. These scriptures are meant to be read and understood positivley rather than carrying it along with u for ceremonies and blessings.Actually the entire system of carrying holy books for swearing in and similar functions shoudl be abolished........

It's just horrible that he is using anything but the Holy Bible to be sworn in. We should NOT let him do this. What will happen when a satan worshiper wants to be sworn in with the Bible of satan? Our founding fathers set our laws to the Ten Commandments found in the Holy Bible, therefore that is one of the reasons we swear by it. "So help you God". There's too many people trying to take God out of America, out of Washington, out of the courts, out of the schools. Freedom of speech is being stepped on more and more. Our rights are becoming less and less and our morals are going down hill more and more. No, I'm totally against him using the Quran. If he can't swear by the Holy Bible to uphold our laws, then he should not be allowed a position in our Government.

I see no reason why he should not be sworn in using the Quaran. Whether the Quaran or the Bible, the book being used is a symbol of the God that the person being sworn in worships. If he were to swear on the Bible, his oath would be meaningless, it would be just as effective to have him swear upon a dictionary.

Why would i be offended by soming using the Quran to be sworn in? What ever happened to separation of church and state. We have no laws about what book of god one must swear on. I think it is a good thing because it shows that Americans have tolerance for different religions.

I think it's fantastic. And a lot more appropriate for a Muslim to swear on. I also read that the Quran being used was originally owned by Thomas Jefferson.

I have no problem with it at all I am glad that it is being allowed.

Its the US government founded on Judeo-Christian base, I think its wrong wrong wrong.

there is also like 50 girls and the head speaker is a girl for the first time ever in us history

I'm offended. You betcha. Why is everybody doing their best to change us? Would France bow down to us and make their citizens all learn English? Bow to our traditions in their country? Hardly. How would any of us feel if some stranger came along and demanded we respect his rights to our dinner table and on top of that, bow down to some unknown god in a ritual? Think we'd just sit around and oblige the guy? So why are we letting people do that to us, as a group?