The Book in Question
Jan. 3rd, 2007 11:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eggwardsOne of the ongoing stories since November's election was the election of Rep Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the first muslim member of congress. Really, this shouldn't be a big deal. It wasn't that he fooled his constituents for voting for someone by hiding his faith. Clearly that didn't bother the people who voted for him and thought that he'd make a good congressperson.
The problem is, when someone is different, when someone doesn't believe the way you think they should, then comes trouble. Add the current demonization and lack of understanding that goes with Islam these days, well, then the crazy comes out.
You've probably already heard that Rep. Ellison has been under attack for choosing to use the Koran, rather than the normal Bible for his ceremonial swearing-in ceremony. I put ceremonial in italics because its nothing but a photo op. the real swearing in takes place as a group, with no books of any sort.
Still, Virgina representative Virgil Goode stated that Ellison should be barred from using the Koran, and that allowing it's use could not only lead to a host of other books (right-wing talk show host Dennis Prager suggested Mein Kampf), but also lead to more Muslims getting involved with the government. Worst of all, Goode said, without better immigration laws more Muslims might come into the country and follow Ellison's lead.
Of course, Ellison is born and raised in the United States, and he is not Arab, but hey, why let such facts get in the way when we've got an enemy to fight? Trying to create a boogyman, even within the ranks of Congress is great for your political career, right?
Even though I see the book, whether it be Bible or Koran or Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals, as mearly window dressing, other's take it seriously. Why would you want any elected official to use a book that they don't have any belief in to use for an oath? It's like crossing your fingers behind your back.
Well, Ellison pulled a nice trump card today. Not backing down from his convictions, he has requested to borrow from the Library of Congress a copy of the Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson. Not only is a historical relic, but it also shows that the founding fathers were much more tolerant and eager to learn the ways of others than many of our current representatives.
Given that the book was owned by a prominent and well-respected Virginian is only icing on the cake.
Here in a time that we should be embracing the fact that Islam will be represented in our Congress, especially that it's a moderate incarnation of the Muslim faith, we shouldn't be worrying how a representative goes about his inauguration more than we should be thinking about how well he'll do his job. We should be concerned that he's a representative for the people, those of his faith and not.
Still, we should embrace the opportunity to learn more about Islam in order to understand better the world that we seem to be stumbling through so poorly, and to learn about the diversity of our own country. There's millions of Muslims already here, whether through immigration, or US citizens. We have those born into the faith and those converted. Sunni, Shiite, or Nation of Islam. They along with everyone else make up our quilt.
The religious beliefs of a man shouldn't scare us, only how he chooses to present and use them. A book is only a book, despite what it has written in it. Only a man can give it power and meaning. Suddenly we have people trying to create fear using a book and a religion they know little about. We should be better than that.
I'd suggest another book for Rep. Goode... The Zax by Dr. Suess.
The problem is, when someone is different, when someone doesn't believe the way you think they should, then comes trouble. Add the current demonization and lack of understanding that goes with Islam these days, well, then the crazy comes out.
You've probably already heard that Rep. Ellison has been under attack for choosing to use the Koran, rather than the normal Bible for his ceremonial swearing-in ceremony. I put ceremonial in italics because its nothing but a photo op. the real swearing in takes place as a group, with no books of any sort.
Still, Virgina representative Virgil Goode stated that Ellison should be barred from using the Koran, and that allowing it's use could not only lead to a host of other books (right-wing talk show host Dennis Prager suggested Mein Kampf), but also lead to more Muslims getting involved with the government. Worst of all, Goode said, without better immigration laws more Muslims might come into the country and follow Ellison's lead.
Of course, Ellison is born and raised in the United States, and he is not Arab, but hey, why let such facts get in the way when we've got an enemy to fight? Trying to create a boogyman, even within the ranks of Congress is great for your political career, right?
Even though I see the book, whether it be Bible or Koran or Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Meals, as mearly window dressing, other's take it seriously. Why would you want any elected official to use a book that they don't have any belief in to use for an oath? It's like crossing your fingers behind your back.
Well, Ellison pulled a nice trump card today. Not backing down from his convictions, he has requested to borrow from the Library of Congress a copy of the Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson. Not only is a historical relic, but it also shows that the founding fathers were much more tolerant and eager to learn the ways of others than many of our current representatives.
Given that the book was owned by a prominent and well-respected Virginian is only icing on the cake.
Here in a time that we should be embracing the fact that Islam will be represented in our Congress, especially that it's a moderate incarnation of the Muslim faith, we shouldn't be worrying how a representative goes about his inauguration more than we should be thinking about how well he'll do his job. We should be concerned that he's a representative for the people, those of his faith and not.
Still, we should embrace the opportunity to learn more about Islam in order to understand better the world that we seem to be stumbling through so poorly, and to learn about the diversity of our own country. There's millions of Muslims already here, whether through immigration, or US citizens. We have those born into the faith and those converted. Sunni, Shiite, or Nation of Islam. They along with everyone else make up our quilt.
The religious beliefs of a man shouldn't scare us, only how he chooses to present and use them. A book is only a book, despite what it has written in it. Only a man can give it power and meaning. Suddenly we have people trying to create fear using a book and a religion they know little about. We should be better than that.
I'd suggest another book for Rep. Goode... The Zax by Dr. Suess.
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no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 06:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 06:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-05 05:56 am (UTC)What I couldn't figure out is if a Torah or just the old testament would be used by Jewish congress people. Someone check with Leibermann's office! I guess since it's a part of the Christian Bible it wasn't an issue.
(I like that Icon)