Keith Ellison, a convert to Islam, became the first Muslim member to be sworn into Congress. There is a big row over his decision to use the Quran (which was owned by Thomas Jefferson) in his swearing-in photo instead of a Bible. Several television and radio personalities are claiming that the Congressman's decision to acknowledge his faith will "embolden terrorists," etc. Is the land of the free and the home of the brave really that ignorant?
If we want to stay true to "American values," there would be no religious text used at all. The people that make the biggest row obviously slept through American National Government and all of their history courses as well. If anything, the Enlightenment period was not religious-friendly and it is suspected that Thomas Jefferson was a closet atheist based on some of his writings. The fact that this country exists at all stems from the greed of European colonialism and imperialism, not a love of God. I doubt very much that Jesus would look kindly on how Native Americans were deprived of their homeland and Africans were kidnapped and enslaved seeing that both of those were major issues for Jews before and during His lifetime.
This is the same level of ignorance that was portrayed when blacks and women began to actively participate in American government and society outside of their accepted roles. The only reason anyone thought the sky was falling is because of their own fears of change. Ellison was elected in a landslide thanks to the democratic process, and if anything, having a Muslim in our government projects the American values of freedom that so many of my Christian counterparts are so quick to forget.
3 comments:
Happy New Year S.
Good article but one point. European? America has benefitted from the comparitive moderation of British traditions. The Europeans (French, Spanish and Russians) were more vicious to their minorities and all had slaves/serfs. Fortunately they were driven out of the US or their land (eg Alaska) was peacefully purchased.
The Native Americans were formidable fighters (particularly early on) due to frequent warring before the Europeans and British got to America.
Other than that I think its a good idea that Muslims have some identified representation in government. With Muslim Congress-persons in office Muslim extremists cannot as easily say they are fighting the "Crusader and Jewish" hegemony.
Meanwhile we have an increasing terrorist problem in Australia - reflected in my current article.
Pete
Excellent post, Sheri.
But whatever in the world does Pete's statement, 'the comparitive moderation of British traditions' mean?
It means George Washington benefitted from being under British (he was a British colonial after all!) rule until he saw the limitations of rule from London. Note he first fort as a British officer against the French/Indians.
America's legal and political traditions mainly came from its British heritage - something conveniently forgotten.
Pete
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