Swearing in on the bible, the koran or a spiderman comic book

[BOSSHOG]

The AFA has its collective panties in a wad because a non-christian (rep from Minnesota, a muslim) wants to swear his oath on a koran and not a bible. Please AFA scream louder. The bible (or the Koran) is not the law of the land of the free. But please keep screaming. Its just another reason to take away your tax exempt status. You cannot force our politicians to pledge allegiance via your religion.

And if a non-christian swears on a bible would that act not invalidate his claim to uphold the constitution?

Scream Christians, you are just showing your disregard for the constitution.

And how have those oaths "sworn" by bush, cheney et al worked out? One might suggest that those bibles weren't worth the paper they were printed on just like the hearts and souls of the men in the bush administration who used them to swear to support and defend the constitution are empty and hollow and insincere.

My hate is rational as my service to my country was honorable.

[azurnoir]

1. When Leiberman is sworn in

will it be with a Duray or a king James?:sarcasm:

[BoneDaddy]

15. My question is "Does it really matter"

The whole idea of "swearing" was to give legitimacy to what someone was going to say, as if swearing on the bible and then not telling the truth was going to cause some thunderbolt from heaven to strike down the lying sinner.

To illustrate how little this really means, simply think of how many times our illustrious BushCo swore on the Bible then went and committed egregious falsehoods.

What a bunch of crap.

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. Your duty as a Congressman is to uphold and protect the Constitution...

not to uphold and protect the bible, so this whole Koran dust-up is just plain ridiculous

[BOSSHOG]

3. I want dobson to raise holy hell about this

I want him to put his real agenda front and center; to force the bible on all America at the expense of constitutional liberties. Of course that would be the parts of the bible that dobson and his kind pick and choose to rationalize their hate. They ignore the inconvenient parts that make them more like Jesus.

[Reverend_Smitty]

8. you know you're right...

I hope they do make a big issue out of this too...nothing we can do will convince the American public that these guys are batshit crazy. I'd rather let their own hubris destroy them

[Parche]

4. bible

The bible is just a fictional fantasy book
and should never be sworn upon!!

Office holders should just raise their right hands like the rest of us
and go from there
Get rid of all the bibles, we dont need them

[More Than A Feeling]

5. How do you know the Christianist bid for cultural supremacy is failing?

Their demands are getting more and more petty. "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." -Princess Leia to Grand Moff Tarkin.

[ET Awful]

6. Hehehe, see my thread from the other day:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2816143

:rofl:

[BOSSHOG]

7. thanks very much

A nice review at your thread. I think this story should get mass exposure. Ole dobson does not realize (nor appreciates) that he is living in the land of the free.

[hcil]

9. Actually

The bible itself expressly forbids that practice in Matthew 5:33-37.

[sarcasmo]

10. I would use a Batman comic book.

[baldguy]

11. The demographics of America is changing.

Rep Ellison may be the first, but in 20-30 years there may be a Muslim caucus in Congress for the rw nutjobs to deal with.

[PVnRT]

12. Personally, I'd go for a Lovecraft book

n/t

[underpants]

13. The really funny part in all this is that NO ONE uses ANY book at the swearing in

I was not aware of this until just a few minutes ago.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/11/30/koran-bible-prager-ellison/

But Prager’s column is based on one other glaring error: the swearing-in ceremony for the House of Representatives never includes a religious book. The Office of the House Clerk confirmed to ThinkProgress that the swearing-in ceremony consists only of the Members raising their right hands and swearing to uphold the Constitution. The Clerk spokesperson said neither the Christian Bible, nor any other religious text, had ever been used in an official capacity during the ceremony. (Occassionally, Members pose for symbolic photo-ops with their hand on a Bible.)

[Jed Dilligan]

14. Who are the AFA?

[BOSSHOG]

16. American Family Association

In my jaded view they are a group of religious zealots who hate in the name of Jesus Christ and in a tax exempt status. Their "leader" don wildmon is headquartered in Tupelo Mississippi. They so thoroughly enjoy the freedoms given to them by the constitution but attempt to use the constitution as a weapon against citizens they hate. The Constitution is a shield for all citizens not a weapon to be used against any citizen. Thanks for the opportunity to climb up on my soapbox. They are pure fucking ignorant evil.

[Jed Dilligan]

18. Sure thing boss.

Of course I am capable of googling but there are actually 3 or 4 "AFA's". Suspected these guys but wanted to be sure.

[MurrayDelph]

17. Actually, Spider-Man is a great choice!

Amazing Fantasy #15 -- the origin of Spider-Man -- has as its moral:

"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility."

Can't think of anything better for a government to be reminded.

[Superman Returns]

19. ^^^ YEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!