Battle of symbolism
Jan. 3rd, 2007 11:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bktheirregularSome of you might have heard about a kerfuffle involving an incoming member of Congress from Minnesota, who happens to be Muslim, and a veteran member of Congress from Virginia, who insists that oaths of office in the United States should only be taken on the Bible, not the Koran.
Representative-elect Keith Ellison has found a way to honor both his religion and his American heritage: the Koran on which he will take his ceremonial oath will come from the Library of Congress's rare books collection. Specifically, the copy which will be under Mr. Ellison's hand will be an English translation, donated to the Library of Congress by Thomas Jefferson, bearing notations from the author of the Declaration of Independence.
Bonus irony: Jefferson was born in Albermarle County, Virginia, in the district now represented by Representative Virgil Goode, who insisted that the Koran was inappropriate for swearing in a member of Congress.
Don't believe me? Check it out.
Representative-elect Keith Ellison has found a way to honor both his religion and his American heritage: the Koran on which he will take his ceremonial oath will come from the Library of Congress's rare books collection. Specifically, the copy which will be under Mr. Ellison's hand will be an English translation, donated to the Library of Congress by Thomas Jefferson, bearing notations from the author of the Declaration of Independence.
Bonus irony: Jefferson was born in Albermarle County, Virginia, in the district now represented by Representative Virgil Goode, who insisted that the Koran was inappropriate for swearing in a member of Congress.
Don't believe me? Check it out.
