Saturday, January 20, 2007

Bible Bending Special:
What observers had to say about the Bible after U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison's
decision to take his congressional oath over the Quran:

Columns and Blogs:
  • Dennis Pranger: Ellison's choice is an act of hubris. U.S. congressman must agree to uphold the same values--specifically, biblical values. After heavy criticism (see articles below), Pranger apologized for some comments but maintained that he is still concerned about the decline of the Bible's influence on American values.
  • USA Today: The swearing-in ceremony only requires the elected representatives to raise their right hand.
  • Steve Benen: American civilization has survived congress persons refusing to take the oath with the Bible before.
  • Eugene Volokh: Prager misses the multicultural intentions of the U.S. Constitution.
  • Stephen Bainbridge: No one gets to dictate American's faith.
  • Rick Reidel: Taking the oath over the Bible does not insure that a congress person will be honest. To suggest it does is Islamophobic.
  • Deborah Weiss: The Bible is morally superior to the Quran. Allowing a Muslim into Congress puts the nation at risk.
  • Devvy Kidd: Ellison is not obeying Islam by representing a Christian nation.
  • Leonard Pitt: The conservative response is a shameful remainder of the strain of intolerance still active in the America.
Opinion columns and Letters to the Editor:
  • Star-Gazette (NY): In America, the Bible should come before the Quran.
  • Gulf News (United Arab Emirates) : Is the outrage following Ellison's decision isolated or an indication of widespread Islamophobia?
  • International News (Pakistan): Pakistani officials should take their oaths over the Quran.
  • Arutz Sheva (Israel): The real issue that concerns Israelis is whether or not Ellison is sympathetic to the Jewish cause.
  • Payvand (IRAN): Thomas Jefferson (who owned the Quran that Ellison used) would be proud to see freedom of religion prevail.
  • Bismark Tribune (ND): Ellison's decision was about American values: the freedom of religion.
  • The Breeze (VA): The nation should take of Rep. Virgil Goode's (VA) xenophobia.
  • Middle East Online (UK): The worst of America responded to Ellison: the bigots and the ignorant.
  • Mississippi Daily Journal (MS): The Bible is morally superior to the Quran.
  • News-Leader (MO): In choosing the Quran over the Bible, Ellison honored the memory of slave captors, rather than abolitionists.
  • Capital Hill Blue (VA): Muslim countries should take note of the American sense of tolerance.
  • Appleton Post Crescent (WI): The Bible is just an American fashion, not an American tradition.
  • American Chronicle (CA): What Americans need to know about the Quran.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Monday, January 15, 2007

Sunday, January 14, 2007