Koran scriptures being read on opening day of 113th Congress

[jcoosi]

Was watching 700 club last night and opening of the 133th Congress was dont by reading the passages from the Old and New Testaments and you guessed it the Koran. Well isnt that just a big freaking ray of sunshine. Also I know this isnt the first since a Congressman from Michigan was sworn in using a Koran instead of the Bible a few years ago but new Congresswoman from Hawaii was sworn in on the Hindu book of scriptures.

 

Also commented on how we are close to defaulting on out obligations supposedly first time in our history. Come people wake the h#!! up already since this jackarse has been in office we have gotten our credit downgraded and now this. I know Congress is also to blame but we you try to discuss it with anyone in public all they can say is "Well that doesnt concern me." I know Im preaching to the choir here but anyway carry on.

 

http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/archive/club/700club010313_ws

 

Link if your interested in watching it its all talked about within the first 8 mins of it.

[Hozzie]

So your saying that they shouldn't have the right to do that, or somehow that is the reason this country is going downhill?  Sorry, don't buy it.

 

Funny how everyone get's up in arms about the 2nd Amendment, but when the 1st doesn't suit them, it's all the other religions or someone else's fault.  I may not like Obama's policies, but linking that to the downfall of congress or the reason we allow a Muslim or Hindu to be part of Congress is shortsided.

 

I don't think either person who used a Koran or Hindu Book of Scriputres is any worse than those who used the bible.  I suspect you may like them better than Feinstein or Pelosi if you really looked into it. Maybe not, but categorizing two specific people by their religion is no better than a Democrat saying guns kill people.  They are both ignorant statements in my opinion.

Edited January 4, 2013 by Hozzie

[jcoosi]

I wasnt categorizing no one but I do think its a slap in the face that all the years you were sworn in with your hand on the Bible not the Hindu scriptures or the Koran. I do believe the turning away from God has led us down this path we are on currently.

[Hozzie]

It's only a slap in the face to a Christian (not specifically directing that towards you, but in general) who thinks that the Bible is the only "real" Religion and religious book there should in America or at least that our government should recognize.  For anyone else who isn't a Christian the ability to worship as you choose is called Liberty, a pretty important part of the American constitution.  I am none of the above, so I feel I am pretty neutral on the issue.  I am all for you being able to give your opinion like I have given mine, we just happen to disagree on the irony I see.

Edited January 4, 2013 by Hozzie

[Guest RevScottie]

I would rather have an honest Islamic or Hindu politician over the sleazeballs who pander to Christians just to get their votes.

[peejman]

Amendment 1:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

 

Article 6:

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

 

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

 

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.

 

 

That said, I don't think they should use any religious book.  Whatever happened to separation of church and state?

[Mike.357]

I wasnt categorizing no one but I do think its a slap in the face that all the years you were sworn in with your hand on the Bible not the Hindu scriptures or the Koran. I do believe the turning away from God has led us down this path we are on currently.

Turning away from whose God?

Which god is the right one to choose for this task?

[TrickyNicky]

Personally if given my choice I'd rather see people sworn in with their hand over the constitution, but hey that's just me. Aside from that I'd also rather an individual be sworn in over the book of worship from the religion of their choice. I think a vow that ends in (so help you god) carries more weight to an individual when its said with their idea of god in mind. As far as tradition goes, it outdated IMO. No I'm not saying god is outdated, simply that the idea of one bible to rule them all is.

[The Scullinator]

I'm a devout Christian.  Growing up I was always taught (as I'm sure most of you were) that one of the reasons some of the original people that made the trip to this continent was to seek a place where they could practice their religious beliefs without persecution.  We all know that many of the laws our founding fathers put in place was to protect freedom of religion.  

 

I make all of the obvious statements above to say this.  It has puzzled me that some "Christains" have gotten so offended when other religious groups want to have equality.  Or maybe not equality but are seeking a society that isn't so dominated by Christianity. 

 

Many say "you can't pray in schools anymore!"  I prayed openly in school and was never persecuted or told I couldn't.  If a muslim teacher started every class with a muslim prayer or religious practice there would be an absolute up uproar by some "Christains" but they expect other religions to just sit quietly in the back ground when we have some public religious ritual. 

 

The whole "Christian Nation" thing is a little far fetched too.  Were many of the founding fathers Christians?  Absolutely, but not all.  It doesn't take much reading of the writings of Thomas Paine to see that guy was not a biblical christian (I don't know that he ever claimed to be). 

 

I absolutely believe that if, as a nation we fell on our knees and repented of our sins and cried out to God for his love, grace and mercy that we'd be in a much better state... But I just don't see that happening as a nation.  I don't understand how people can expect things to get better (in a christian since) when we are promised persecution.  And not just that but many of the same people that grumble about these things don't live a life anything like what Christ was like, or even try!  Going to church and walking an isle doesn't make you a christian.  If you don't believe me go read the bible.  We've got it made in America, Christain persecution is at an all time high across the world but most of us here in the states don't even appreciate the freedom we have. 

 

I will fight to protect our religious freedoms but not in a venomous or hateful way.  If we want a "Christian Nation" then we need to enforce laws that restrict the practice of other religions... but thats not what America is about.  I'm not really sure what America is about these days becuase it's not the place I grew up being taught it was.  I think if "christians" continue to lash out in hateful ways with exaggerated responses to certain things then we are only going to quicken the persecution and increase our enemy base.  We are to publicly BUT humbly make our stand and hold fast to what we know is true.  Christ reserved his venom for the religious hypocrits that claimed to be on the outside what they were NOT in their hearts.  He loved the sinners and pointed them in the right direction telling them to repent. 

 

I'm not wanting to start a heated argument and won't participate in one.  I'm not argguing that swearing someone in on the koran is the right thing to do either.  I agree with Tricky, Hand on the constitution because regardless of religion, that should be something we're united on.  Just some thoughts and my opinion.  I welcome discussion and will gladly agree to disagree. 

[The Scullinator]

edited for double post

Edited January 4, 2013 by The Scullinator

[Guest 6.8 AR]

He's venting frustration. I get it. There was a congressman last or the one before who was sworn in with the Koran. The

problem was that the media reported on it. They could just quit reporting on things like this and I would be happy. It does

sometimes seem a little "throw it in your face" the way these things are reported, to me, at least. Slow news day.

[The Scullinator]

He's venting frustration. I get it. There was a congressman last or the one before who was sworn in with the Koran. The

problem was that the media reported on it. They could just quit reporting on things like this and I would be happy. It does

sometimes seem a little "throw it in your face" the way these things are reported, to me, at least. Slow news day.

 

Yea and I agree.  My post was a vent too.  It may have sounded like I was in disagreement with the OP but I share his frustration.  Please take my comment as just added conversation and an additional vent, not as a defensive argument.  There may have been some things that I could have worded differently and still conveyed my added frustrations.  

[Guest colombianito1021]

I wasnt categorizing no one but I do think its a slap in the face that all the years you were sworn in with your hand on the Bible not the Hindu scriptures or the Koran. I do believe the turning away from God has led us down this path we are on currently.

 

Your posts are ignorant. I am GLAD that they used the Koran and Hindu scriptures. Good for them! Your icon says "Support the 2nd Amendment," but, I guess you are not feeling like supporting the first? I would think most weapon owners who are fighting for 2nd Amendment rights would be less biased on limiting someone else's freedom.

[Oh Shoot]

What did Kyrsten Sinema get sworn in with? (atheist)

 

Or Pete Stark, who she replaced (who was also an atheist)?

 

- OS

[Guest 6.8 AR]

The point I was trying to make is who gives a damn? What matters to me is what I believe. And to a different extent, what the

lawmakers actually believe of the Constitution, not who someone prays to. If they want to pray to Orca the killer whale, do it,

just make damned sure they uphold this country's Constitution. There are things I guess I will never see again in this country.

One of them is what holds us together that is being torn into shreds. And we end up fighting over what the enemy wishes us to.

 

We have certainly lost our way.

[Guest CCI]

What does a Wiccan use to get sworn in with?

[Tempest455]

I would rather have an honest Islamic or Hindu politician over the sleazeballs who pander to Christians just to get their votes.

 

Except their "faith" says it's OK to lie to non-muslim infidels.

 

Changes things...........................

[daddyo]

Turning away from whose God?

Which god is the right one to choose for this task?

 

 

The same one the founders acknowledged - the God of Abraham.

[TMF]

[quote name="DaddyO" post="876394" timestamp="1357391350"]The same one the founders acknowledged - the God of Abraham.[/quote] Muslims worship the same God of Abraham and consider Jesus Christ to be a Muslim. In regard to the OP, to be offended that folks are being sworn into their positions with non-Christian scripture is to presuppose that all those who are actually believe in Christanity. Do you think most do? Maybe half? I think 1/3 would even be a stretch. Why get worked up over folks coming into Congress as believers of other faiths when the majority of those who currently occupy Congress aren't believers in anything more than the Almighty Dollar? Seems a little silly, in my opinion.

[Guest bkelm18]

Except their "faith" says it's OK to lie to non-muslim infidels.

 

Changes things...........................

 

No it doesn't. A person can be honest or dishonest regardless of their faith. I trust a person based on their actions, not based on what book they read.

[Tempest455]

No it doesn't. A person can be honest or dishonest regardless of their faith. I trust a person based on their actions, not based on what book they read.

Does the Bible say it's OK to lie?

[TMF]

[quote name="Tempest455" post="876410" timestamp="1357394139"]Does the Bible say it's OK to lie?[/quote] No. Has that ever stopped a politician before? Kinda makes the whole thing pretty moot, dontcha think?

[Tempest455]

No. Has that ever stopped a politician before? Kinda makes the whole thing pretty moot, dontcha think?

Guess we have to disagree. I'm not talking about the person, rather the faith. I think there is a fundamental difference between a religion that says it's OK to lie and one that does not.

 

But that's just me.  :)

[TMF]

[quote name="Tempest455" post="876417" timestamp="1357395180"]Guess we have to disagree. I'm not talking about the person, rather the faith. I think there is a fundamental difference between a religion that says it's OK to lie and one that does not.   But that's just me.  :)[/quote] I was referring to the politicians who have sworn on the Bible. I don't believe that has stopped 99.9% of them from lying to the faces of the American people, so how does one swearing on the Quran make a difference?

[Guest bkelm18]

Does the Bible say it's OK to lie?

 

Irrelevant. Honesty and trustworthyness is based on actions, not words in a book.

 

I suggest you actually look up the passage that refers to "lying" in the Quran. It's not a blanket statement that says "It's cool to lie to infidels", it says, in essence, you may conceal your faith in the company of disbelievers if you fear for your safety from the disbelievers. Sounds pretty practical, if you ask me.