Conservative Pundit Tells Muslim Congressman-Elect: Put Your Hand on the Bible Despite the fact that the swearing-in ceremony for the House of Representatives never includes a religious book, conservative pundit Dennis Prager (seen here playing the accordion) is demanding that Congressman-elect Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to Congress, place his hand on the Christian Bible while being sworn in. ThinkProgess has been covering this story (non-story) for about a week, and it's generated some interesting commentary. Prager wrote an op-ed piece on Townhall.com (and he's been talking about this on his radio show ad nauseum). From the op-ed:

First, it is an act of hubris that perfectly exemplifies multiculturalist activism -- my culture trumps America's culture. What Ellison and his Muslim and leftist supporters are saying is that it is of no consequence what America holds as its holiest book; all that matters is what any individual holds to be his holiest book.

Forgive me, but America should not give a hoot what Keith Ellison's favorite book is.

Again, I repeat, the swearing-in ceremony does not include the use of any religious books. But even if it did, you'd have to admit that in this time of war, as we battle an enemy, many of whom perceive this as a religious struggle between Islam and Western Christianity, nothing would send a better message than coercing one of our leaders into swearing by the Bible. Even though it would be unconstitutional (Sarcasm, guys).

This entry was posted by Blogger, on Saturday, December 02, 2006.