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What happened to ... religious tolerance?
'What happened to ... religious tolerance?'
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701050345
By Dennis Camire
Advertiser Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — While a new Muslim member of Congress sparked controversy for taking his photo-op oath of office with a Quran instead of a Bible, Rep. Mazie Hirono was sworn in yesterday with no book at all.
Hirono, who was raised in the Buddhist tradition but doesn't actively practice the religion, said, "I don't have a book. ... But I certainly believe in the precepts of Buddhism and that of tolerance of other religions and integrity and honesty."
Members of the House for the 110th Congress were sworn in en masse, then had individual mock swearing-in ceremonies with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). For this, members can rest a hand on a Bible while taking the mock oath, but they're not required to do so.
Families in tow, the members of Congress one-by-one raised their right hand and rested the other on a religious text, as if making a pledge, and had their pictures taken for the folks back home.
Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat and native of Detroit, took his oath on a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Prior to his taking the oath, he was criticized by Virginia Republican Virgil Goode, who warned of an influx of Muslims being elected to public office.
In an op-ed piece in USA Today, Goode wrote, "I believe that if we do not stop illegal immigration totally, reduce legal immigration and end diversity visas, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to infiltration by those who want to mold the United States into the image of their religion, rather than working within the Judeo-Christian principles that have made us a beacon for freedom-loving persons around the world."
Of the controversy, Hirono said, "It's about time that we have people of other backgrounds and faiths in Congress. I think Keith Ellison really handled things well. I think that whole discussion, if you want to call it that, is good for our country.
"What happened to separation of church and state and religious tolerance? I believe in those things."
Reach Dennis Camire at dcamire@gns.gannett.com.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007701050345
By Dennis Camire
Advertiser Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — While a new Muslim member of Congress sparked controversy for taking his photo-op oath of office with a Quran instead of a Bible, Rep. Mazie Hirono was sworn in yesterday with no book at all.
Hirono, who was raised in the Buddhist tradition but doesn't actively practice the religion, said, "I don't have a book. ... But I certainly believe in the precepts of Buddhism and that of tolerance of other religions and integrity and honesty."
Members of the House for the 110th Congress were sworn in en masse, then had individual mock swearing-in ceremonies with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). For this, members can rest a hand on a Bible while taking the mock oath, but they're not required to do so.
Families in tow, the members of Congress one-by-one raised their right hand and rested the other on a religious text, as if making a pledge, and had their pictures taken for the folks back home.
Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat and native of Detroit, took his oath on a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Prior to his taking the oath, he was criticized by Virginia Republican Virgil Goode, who warned of an influx of Muslims being elected to public office.
In an op-ed piece in USA Today, Goode wrote, "I believe that if we do not stop illegal immigration totally, reduce legal immigration and end diversity visas, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to infiltration by those who want to mold the United States into the image of their religion, rather than working within the Judeo-Christian principles that have made us a beacon for freedom-loving persons around the world."
Of the controversy, Hirono said, "It's about time that we have people of other backgrounds and faiths in Congress. I think Keith Ellison really handled things well. I think that whole discussion, if you want to call it that, is good for our country.
"What happened to separation of church and state and religious tolerance? I believe in those things."
Reach Dennis Camire at dcamire@gns.gannett.com.
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Comments
Rep. Mazie Hirono Sworn-In Using No Book
http://mensnewsdaily.com/2007/01/05/rep-mazie-hirono-sworn-in-using-no-book/
Vox Populi, Current Events, Politics
By Robert Paul Reyes
Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., made history by becoming the first Muslim member of Congress. He ignited a firestorm when he declared that he would be using a Koran for his ceremonial swearing-in.
Meanwhile, a new member of Congress, who is a nominal Buddhist, was sworn in using no book at all.
From Gannett News Service:
“Rep. Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat who was raised in the Buddhist tradition but doesn’t actively practice the religion, said, “I don’t have a book. … But I certainly believe in the precepts of Buddhism and that of tolerance of other religions and integrity and honesty.”
It’s refreshing to have a politician who doesn’t make decisions, be they personal or political, based on an ancient text.
President George W. Bush bases his Middle East foreign policy, in part, by examining the entrails of the Book of Revelations. I’m sure that Rep. Hirono will base her foreign policy on logic, common sense and by seeking the advise of experts in the field.
I never heard of a Buddhist beating a homosexual to death in the name of Buddha. A Buddhist doesn’t attain a state of Zen by flying a plane into a building. The concept of a “holy war” is anathema to a Buddhist.
Members of Congress have every right to use a Koran, Bible or Playboy Magazine during their photo-op swearing-in. But I feel much more comfortable with a politician who is sworn in using no book at all.