The constitution is unambiguous in its rejection of religious litmus tests to hold public office. This is not an issue that should be avoided to allow bigots to be more comfortable with themselves.

Interesting these days how many so-called conservative “values voters” promote values that do not uphold, but openly contradict the Constitution.

Joe: Actually, Mohammed is already in a pretty conspicuous place — he’s one of several people, real & mythical, in the freize going around the Capitol. (Ironically, Jesus is not.)

To avoid the whole issue, we ought to end the practice of swearing on the bible entirely. The only document that matters is the Constitution, so let’s swear on that, if people feel a need to swear on anything.

“…. for I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

The quote is powerful – and pure Jefferson, but they take on a totally new meaning in context.

“The clergy…believe that any portion of power confided to me [as President] will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly: for I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. But this is all they have to fear from me: and enough, too, in their opinion.” –Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 1800. ME 10:173

BTW, I have been sworn here in Maine (as a witness, and every year when I serve as a vote counter) and there’s no bible in sight.

Meanwhile, Prager himself — caught in his con-game — has walked back his “Demands on the Heathen” considerably. For he was thoroughly thrashed by a whole bunch of Republicans for his inappropriate commentary over who should and who should not be allowed to serve in Congress and what “test” they should perform. He’s lied repeatedly about his original demands, but in the end decided all he ever really wanted was that a Bible — the source of American “Values” he says, not Law — be in the room when Ellison takes his Oath for the Pictures. That’s all. Is that so much to ask? By having the Bible in the room, you see, Ellison is “honoring the sacred source of American Values.” Or something like that.

This is where the Pragerites seem to be very confused. They don’t seem to comprehend the nature and purpose of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and Prager’s hucksterism doesn’t help (although he has been at some pains to explain). They are told repeatedly that American Values derive directly from the Overwhelmingly Christian Founders, and those Values were (somehow) codified in the Christian (but Secular?) Constitution of the United States which does not separate Church and State. It’s all a muddle. And the fact that several states at the Founding, and for some decades afterwards, had Established Churches which were perfectly legal makes the current efforts to force religious belief down everyone’s throat somehow all right.

It’s nonsense, but there you are.

Apparently the hucksters and authoritarians want their flocks to believe that the Oath of Office — sworn by all federal officials — to Protect and Defend the Consitution of the United States is somehow meant to be an oath to Protect and Defend American Values Based on the Bible. No such thing has ever been the case.

Thus, Ellison is violating the Basic Principle of American Social Value by refusing to swear his oath in the presence of the Bible. This is utterly absurd. But that’s the thinking.

Meanwhile this Goode fellow has succeeded in conflating the Ellison swearing in with the Muslim Horde he is sure will swamp the Nation unless Ellison is Stopped. Immigration must be reduced, illegal immigration ended, or the Muslims will swarm the whole country and get elected and stuff. All because of Ellison and his Filthy Koran.

Never mind that Ellison is a tenth generation American.

That Brown Horde is just outside the gates!

Thanks for highlighting some more of the historical context of the issues involved.

There’s a better answer that I got from an actual Zen monk — hold up one hand and “clap” by smacking your fingertips into your palm. Do this with a straight face. It’s not the answer to the koan, of course.

“The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

“It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.”

-Pres. George Washington, Letter to the Congregation Kahal Kadosh Yeshuat Israel (Touro Synagogue), Newport, Rhode Island, 1790

Damn. There was a Virginian.