Friday, December 01, 2006

That Is What Religious Freedom Is

I have no objection to Representative elect Keith Ellison placing his hand on the Koran while swearing allegiance to the US and to upholding its Constitution.
I have no objection to any book that someone might use for their swearing in ceremony, as long as the book used is made part of the public record.  As our representatives, the voters have right to know.

I have no objection to having an Imam occasionally provide the Congressional opening and closing prayers as long as it is done in English.
 
I have no objection to having a "thought of the day" presented by someone with an exclusively secular point of view.  All reflection is good.  Some may disagree with certain thoughts and prayers and even the persons offering them.  But they are all good for consideration or to respectively listen too.  None of the thoughts or the prayers should be feared or debased.

The founders and framers of the US government had primarily a Judeo-Christian viewpoint, however, they didn't intend to exclude any religion from the freedom of religions that was to be a major tenet of the US Constitution.  They certainly didn't intend to exclude any expression of thought.

By the way, I would have an objection to anyone who takes the oath and does not give allegiance to the US and/or uphold its Constitution.  This is how our elected and sworn representatives should be judged not by the book upon which they decide to use in the "swearing in" ceremony.

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