21 December 2006

Keith Ellison and the Koran

I have mixed feelings about this.

On the one hand, imagine if a Congessman during the Cold War had wanted to be sworn in using a copy of Das Kapital, which seems roughly equivalent to using a Koran in our present situation. Wouldn't that have raised eyebrows?

On the other hand, the principle of no religious test for public office needs to be strictly upheld. If Bibles can be used to swear in public officials (something which seems dubious to me in view of the Establishment Clause, but I'm no expert), then I can see no grounds for prohibiting an official from using the Koran, or Das Kapital, or Mein Kampf, or whatever text he decides best embodies his most deeply-held beliefs.

But the voters should note his choice, and remember.

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