Koran Replaces the Bible at Swearing-in Oath

[Zeebadee]

It doesn't appear to me that an oath sworn on the Bible, Quran, Torah, or anything else has done a thing to further honesty or ethical behavior by any of our elected "public servants". I think that most, if not all, routinely put their own interests above any sworn oath. Put some kind of penalty behind a violation of that oath (i.e. porkbarrel spending), and maybe an oath might be worth the time it takes to recite it.

[gr8fuldaniel]

I agree Zee.

[Amethiste]

Quote by: gr8fuldaniel Those who swear on the bible are anti-christ. How can so many christians screw up so often and so consistantly? So I guess it is a religious test. A test that Christian politicians fail and will burn in eternal hell (there shall be gnashing of teeth) for disobeying the words inside the book they swear upon. Idiots!

Pardon me, but did you truly just say that? I'm really not sure if you're joking, but I should hope you are.

How can any government NOT have something to do with "religion," when most of the population does adhere to or profess to some religion? Religion is very important to people, (including the religion of Atheism), and I don't know how a government can just quietly ignore all religion???

The government can have nothing to do with religion quite easily. In a country with such diverse faiths as America, it's in a government's best interests to try and leave religion out of things completely. That way it remains impartial. At least that's how it would work in a perfectly ideological society. But we can all see how well that's worked out...

But I have a question: is atheism a religion or the lack thereof? I'm not being a smartass, I promise. Just simple curiosity.

But back around to the OP- Does it really matter what book someone swears on? Someone, I believe it was Apokalupsis, said that objects of value should be used in oath.

At the time this country was founded, the vast majority of citizens were Christians, and this trend has remained relatively consistent. I'm not trying to offend anyone in any way, but to the best of my knowledge (and if I'm wrong, please correct me), the majority of people in this country today are still Christians. So doesn't it make sense to have the book which most of the nation's populace considers a holy text as the book that people swear upon?

I know for myself personally, if I was sworn in on the Bible, which is the text I personally believe, I'd take my vows VERY seriously.

The same should be for all religions. However, there should be a limit. For example, an atheist swearing on a copy of Penthouse magazine is absolutely ridiculous. But if the text in question is legitimate and holds value for the person in question, there's no reason why it shouldn't be used.

[RickSp]

Virginia is for . . . haters?

We’re not in the habit of telling voters in other states what to do, but if Virginia voters don’t give the inaptly-named Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr. the bum’s rush in the next election they’ll have embarrassed themselves on a national scale. Goode is the ignoramus who wrote a letter to constituents warning them that Americans need to “wake up” otherwise there will be “many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran.” His bigoted rant was prompted by the election of the first Muslim to Congress, Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), who ruffled feathers when he decided to swear his oath on the Koran during a private swearing-in ceremony. Reasonable people barely blinked at Ellison’s decision. But reactionaries like Goode applied their talk-radio logic to the issue, betraying their total ignorance of our nation’s true ideals. To Ellison’s credit, he refused the bait and said he looks forward to meeting his new colleague from Virginia. With any luck, they won’t be colleagues for very long

[Osborn F Enready]

Goode is an extremist if I ever saw one....and faith based at that.....

[gr8fuldaniel]

Quote by: Amethiste Pardon me, but did you truly just say that? I'm really not sure if you're joking, but I should hope you are.

I am sincere. Jesus said "Do Not Swear at all", so whats the first thing asshats and politicians want to do? Swear an oath on the book that told them not to swear.

There is too much Christian ambiance and ZERO Christianity. (thats what Jesus meant by "Make broad the Philacteries")
Its Anti-Christ when you do the opposite of what he says. For instance: You will burn in hell if you support a war president. Jesus said love your neighbor. (there is no "but" or "except when" in that sentence).

Quote by: Amethiste So doesn't it make sense to have the book which most of the nation's populace considers a holy text as the book that people swear upon?

No. Oaths are meaningless. But even more so when the Holy Bible is used. When you place your hand on the Bible for an oath......God abandons you. You have broken a commandment in that instant. Its just one more though. Who can abide in every word of that book? It has never been done yet.

[Osborn F Enready]

Oaths are not meaningless, they are verbal contracts.