Comments on: Keith Ellison to use Thomas Jefferson’s Koran for Swearing In http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:22:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Jacob http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32849 Jacob Thu, 04 Jan 2007 20:48:45 +0000 http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32849 What this koran incident ultimately illustrates is a (willful) ignorance of this country's history. No, I'm not referring to a Christian heritage; that would be dishonest. I am a Christian, but I recognize that this country was not founded as a "Christian nation." Rather, I am referring to the fact that immediately upon being sworn-in as president, Thomas Jefferson went to war with Muslim "terrorists" (a.k.a. Barbary Pirates) in 1801. The fact that Jefferson owned a Koran says nothing about his opinions of the religion. He also owned Bibles, but he didn't believe in miracles or salvation. I welcome you to read and comment on my <a href="http://jacobmorse.com/2007/01/04/tripoli-a-tradition-of-tolerance/" rel="nofollow">article about Jefferson and Islam</a>. What this koran incident ultimately illustrates is a (willful) ignorance of this country’s history. No, I’m not referring to a Christian heritage; that would be dishonest. I am a Christian, but I recognize that this country was not founded as a “Christian nation.” Rather, I am referring to the fact that immediately upon being sworn-in as president, Thomas Jefferson went to war with Muslim “terrorists” (a.k.a. Barbary Pirates) in 1801.

The fact that Jefferson owned a Koran says nothing about his opinions of the religion. He also owned Bibles, but he didn’t believe in miracles or salvation. I welcome you to read and comment on my article about Jefferson and Islam.

]]> By: Terrell http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32833 Terrell Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:52:54 +0000 http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32833 Carol, I can't let this pass, I disagree so strongly. "Enemy"????!! Would you say that to your Muslim students and parents? To our Muslim soldiers? If I have misunderstood, please forgive me. But it sounds as if you do not believe Muslims can be full American citizens. <strong><em>TMS:  Up until the past few years I wouldn't have felt that way.  However, even "moderate" Muslim clerics are calling for death to Americans and anyone who isn't Muslim.  That's not just death to American soldiers, but death to you and to me, your daughters, my children and grandchildren.  I don't WANT to believe that Muslims can't be patriotic American citizens, but listening to their own words, it doesn't seem likely.</em></strong>   Carol, I can’t let this pass, I disagree so strongly. “Enemy”????!! Would you say that to your Muslim students and parents? To our Muslim soldiers? If I have misunderstood, please forgive me. But it sounds as if you do not believe Muslims can be full American citizens.

TMS:  Up until the past few years I wouldn’t have felt that way.  However, even “moderate” Muslim clerics are calling for death to Americans and anyone who isn’t Muslim.  That’s not just death to American soldiers, but death to you and to me, your daughters, my children and grandchildren.  I don’t WANT to believe that Muslims can’t be patriotic American citizens, but listening to their own words, it doesn’t seem likely.  

]]> By: N. Mallory http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32832 N. Mallory Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:38:26 +0000 http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32832 <blockquote>Seems to me that the people who don’t practice religious tolerance or respect religious differences are the Muslims.</blockquote> What a rather close-minded statement, considering the point of the exercise. The Congress person expressing religious intolerance and disrespect is not the Muslim in this case. In fact, the one person who's being the most tolerant is the Muslim. I think there's a lot of religious intolerance and disrespect of differences going around on all sides. <strong><em>TMS:  I must've missed the news where elected leaders in Muslim countries are allowed to take the oath of office on a Bible.  I didn't realize they were that tolerant.  This Minnesota guy has had no problem taking the oath on a Koran.  Sure, there's been some negative publicity, but no LAW against it or legal action against it. </em></strong> <strong><em>The USA is WAY ahead any other country in the world for tolerance and respect for differences.</em></strong>

Seems to me that the people who don’t practice religious tolerance or respect religious differences are the Muslims.

What a rather close-minded statement, considering the point of the exercise. The Congress person expressing religious intolerance and disrespect is not the Muslim in this case. In fact, the one person who’s being the most tolerant is the Muslim. I think there’s a lot of religious intolerance and disrespect of differences going around on all sides.

TMS:  I must’ve missed the news where elected leaders in Muslim countries are allowed to take the oath of office on a Bible.  I didn’t realize they were that tolerant.  This Minnesota guy has had no problem taking the oath on a Koran.  Sure, there’s been some negative publicity, but no LAW against it or legal action against it.

The USA is WAY ahead any other country in the world for tolerance and respect for differences.

]]> By: Stan http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32826 Stan Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:14:56 +0000 http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32826 I wrote about this originally back in December. I'm shocked that so few see the blatantly obvious message Mr. Ellison is sending to America. "I know, I know, you've based everything on the Bible up until now. Hey, even the atheists in office haven't tried to dismiss it. I know that the American system of law is based on Judeo-Christian approach. All I'm trying to say is ... let's throw that out! Let's use the Koran instead." His message isn't subtle, nor is it harmless. And it isn't "Can't we all just get along?" <strong><em>TMS:  I think we've so misinterpreted the "separation of church and state" idea that now we act like there can be no connection between the two when the intent was that there would be no state-sponsored/required church.   Amen to what you wrote!</em></strong> I wrote about this originally back in December. I’m shocked that so few see the blatantly obvious message Mr. Ellison is sending to America. “I know, I know, you’ve based everything on the Bible up until now. Hey, even the atheists in office haven’t tried to dismiss it. I know that the American system of law is based on Judeo-Christian approach. All I’m trying to say is … let’s throw that out! Let’s use the Koran instead.” His message isn’t subtle, nor is it harmless. And it isn’t “Can’t we all just get along?”

TMS:  I think we’ve so misinterpreted the “separation of church and state” idea that now we act like there can be no connection between the two when the intent was that there would be no state-sponsored/required church.   Amen to what you wrote!

]]> By: Sparky Duck http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32824 Sparky Duck Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:05:27 +0000 http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32824 Ok, for Mr. Ellison, this maybe a mistake, just coming from the public outcry angle. People are already a little bit wary of him being elected already, and doing something to continue to remind people of his religious heritage could be a problem when he tries to get elected 2 years from now. But, not every Muslim is a terrorist. Just like the fact that not every Catholic is an italian mobster. Or vice versa for that matter. <strong><em>TMS:  And of course I understand very well that every Muslim is not a terrorist.  Every Christian is not intolerant either.  However, the Bible tells us to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's."  In other words, we can have allegiance to our country.  From my understanding of the Koran, there is no corresponding belief.  Death to anyone who is not Muslim.  So what is Mr. Ellison's first allegiance?</em></strong>    Ok, for Mr. Ellison, this maybe a mistake, just coming from the public outcry angle. People are already a little bit wary of him being elected already, and doing something to continue to remind people of his religious heritage could be a problem when he tries to get elected 2 years from now.

But, not every Muslim is a terrorist. Just like the fact that not every Catholic is an italian mobster. Or vice versa for that matter.

TMS:  And of course I understand very well that every Muslim is not a terrorist.  Every Christian is not intolerant either.  However, the Bible tells us to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”  In other words, we can have allegiance to our country.  From my understanding of the Koran, there is no corresponding belief.  Death to anyone who is not Muslim.  So what is Mr. Ellison’s first allegiance?   

]]> By: Jane http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32822 Jane Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:53:03 +0000 http://themediansib.com/2007/01/04/keith-ellison-to-use-thomas-jeffersons-koran-for-swearing-in/#comment-32822 I agree with you. I am reminded of the analogy of the frog in the pot of water. If you put him in hot water he will jump out but if you put him cold water and heat it gradually, he will die. We must be vigilant....the heat is on. <strong><em>TMS:  Exactly, Jane!  Our Christian heritage has been slowly chipped away over the past 30 or so years.  A little bit at a time.  </em></strong> I agree with you. I am reminded of the analogy of the frog in the pot of water. If you put him in hot water he will jump out but if you put him cold water and heat it gradually, he will die. We must be vigilant….the heat is on.

TMS:  Exactly, Jane!  Our Christian heritage has been slowly chipped away over the past 30 or so years.  A little bit at a time. 

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