Stupid Idea of the Week

By TChris, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 04:13:13 PM EST
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The Constitution prohibits any religious test for public office and forbids the establishment of an official religion, making this proposal the stupidest idea of the week:

The American Family Association, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the news media's influence on society, has entered the fray, calling on people to ask members of Congress to pass a law that would make the Bible the only book that could be used during swearing-in ceremonies.

Some are upset because Keith Ellison, a Muslim who is newly-elected to Congress, might hold the Quran in his hand when he takes his oath of office. These are the same people who insist the United States is a Christian nation, when in truth it is a religiously diverse nation.

Whether Ellison holds one of the many versions of the Bible, the Quran, the Torah, or the most recent Playboy magazine is his business. That's what freedom (including religious freedom) is all about. Why does the AFA hate our freedoms?

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Stupid Idea of the Week | 19 comments (19 topical)

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but no religious test shall ever be required (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by Kitt on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 07:55:04 PM EST

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States

Now what IS it that being misunderstood here?

Go for it so you can be called out on it because it shows just how ignorant and stupid people like you really are when it comes to the history of this country and the Constitution.

The first I saw of all this bullsh*t, Beck had Keith Ellison on his show wanting Mr. Ellison to prove he wasn't a terrorist ('cuz he Muslim after all). In my mind's eye, Mr. Beck fits the profile of an abortion clinic bomber, a homegrown terrorist. Prove to me you're not, Glenn.

Everyone can just take it up with Mr. Ellison's constituents.

Some alternatives (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by David at Kmareka on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 08:39:02 PM EST

Perhaps Ellison should hold a copy of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins when he takes the oath of office. Or Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken. Or maybe I'm Okay, You're a Neofascist Wingnut by whomever might care to write such a book.

Regardless, Ellison should send a copy of the U.S. Constitution for Dummies to those who choose to embarrass themselves by throwing a temper tantrum.

Ellison and his Qur'an get wingnuts whirling (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by Kitt on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 11:19:16 PM EST

Ran across this from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Tribune:

What a hilarious load of ignorance, intolerance he exposed.

You've gotta hand it to Keith Ellison, Minneapolis' congressman-elect: He's not even in the House yet, and he's got wingnuts falling out of the trees on their empty heads.

And BTW, here's the oath: THE BIBLELESS OATH

An individual, except the President, elected or appointed to an office of honor or profit in the civil service or uniformed services, shall take the following oath: 'I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.' This section does not affect other oaths required by law."

U.S. Code, Title 5, Section 3331

The AFA is just another wingnut... (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by Bill Arnett on Sun Dec 03, 2006 at 10:29:33 AM EST

...outfit that would do away with the constitution altogether and make all laws be written to conform to biblical edicts.

It is @$h0les like these who are all behind bush's attempts to drag religion into government without regard to "...that godd*mned piece of paper....".

Christianist fascists slandering someone for their religion somehow don't realize how utterly hypocritical they sound.

: they also conveniently forget ... (none / 0) (#16)
by Sailor on Sun Dec 03, 2006 at 04:58:57 PM EST

... the nation was founded, at most, by deists, not christians.
America was originally founded by folks who escaped state sponsored religion (see "Church of England" AKA 'I want to split from the pope because I want to screw another woman and cut off the head of my first wife' ... geez, talk about the bride of chucky;-)
Why does the AFA hate America?

oddly enough.............. (none / 0) (#1)
by cpinva on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 04:22:58 PM EST

the constitution (remember that?) dictates no specific book be used in swearing-in ceremonies. possibly, it was an oversight on the author's part. i suspect not.

perhaps, we should be grateful they didn't demand an amendment.

: Do I have to spell it out for you (none / 0) (#2)
by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 05:17:36 PM EST

9/11 changed everything!

I thought they didnt (none / 0) (#3)
by Jen M on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 05:27:49 PM EST

put their hand on any book when being sworn in to congress

But if they do (none / 0) (#4)
by Jen M on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 05:29:39 PM EST

I want my elected official swearing or affirming on something s/he actually considers important

I'll take my oath... (none / 0) (#5)
by TomStewart on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 06:15:41 PM EST

On 'Batman From the 30s to the 70s'.

Or maybe the Hardy Boys in the 'Mystery of Cabin Island', original 1927 version. They both have deep meaning to me.

: Oh, good (none / 0) (#6)
by aw on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 06:32:41 PM EST

In that case, I'd take my oath on Kristin Lavransdatter, an amazing 3-volume novel that captures 14th-century religious hysteria in Norway. Or maybe Cooking with the Cuisinart.

Stupid (none / 0) (#7)
by Edger on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 07:54:10 PM EST

fear of the week.

i'll bet................. (none / 0) (#9)
by cpinva on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 08:29:44 PM EST

osama was dancing in his cave, when ellison was elected! :)

If I was allowed (none / 0) (#11)
by Pete Guither on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 09:22:46 PM EST

to put my hand on anything when sworn in...

It would be a copy of the Constitution.

: Now, we're talking! (none / 0) (#12)
by Kitt on Sat Dec 02, 2006 at 10:33:39 PM EST

: or a copy of (none / 0) (#14)
by ding7777 on Sun Dec 03, 2006 at 08:53:45 AM EST

the last Census (2000) - symbolicly swearing on every person living in the United States to uphold the oath of office

Why.... (none / 0) (#17)
by kdog on Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 05:52:31 PM EST

Why does the AFA hate our freedoms?

Because they do not value freedom. And they will not begin to value freedom until someone tries to ban the bible. Short-sighted, small brained people.

I now consider the AFA an anti-american organization...can we get them on the terror org. list? Just kidding, I don't even wish that on these knuckleheads, I value freedom too much.

...I'd swear on "Papillon" or "The Count of Monte Cristo"

New book (none / 0) (#18)
by roger on Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 06:02:44 PM EST

From now on, all paths shall be done while laying a hand on "My Pet Goat"

whoops (none / 0) (#19)
by roger on Mon Dec 04, 2006 at 06:03:13 PM EST

should be "oaths"