Tomorrow, the new Congress will be sworn in; including our first Muslim represetative, Keith Ellison of Minnesota.
There has been a bit of a hullabaloo about Mr. Ellison's intention to take the oath with his hand on a copy of the Quran.
Why? I'm sure no such brouhaha would occur if a Jewish member of Congress used the Torah, or the Tanakh; which I have heard has happened on at least one occasion.
As a Unitarian Universalist and a Jew, I applaud Congressman Ellison's open practice of his faith in the face of the criticisms. And as a Patriot, I applaud and cherish this momentous example of the power of our Bill of Rights, and especially the Freedom of Religion.
In fact, as NPR radion reported today, Minnesota has reason to be very proud of their newly elected representative. For Mr. Ellison, with the assistance of the Library of Congress, will not be using his own Quran tomorrow.
Instead, he will be using one that belonged to Thomas Jefferson.
I imagine many Americans will be surprised that this Founder, the writer of the Declaration of Independence and our third President, this champion of liberty possessed a copy of the Quran. I was a tad surprised myself, but I also knew that Jefferson was a seeker of knowledge and wisdom. He even edited his own version of the Bible. So, it makes sense that he'd have other books, including the Quran, in his library.
And of course, his library became the beginnings of our Library of Congress.
And tomorrow, the blessings of freedom come full circle as Mr. Ellison uses Mr. Jefferson's Quran to begin his service in Congress.
And all American's can celebrate this most American of moments when the power and blessings of our Constitution are so perfectly illustrated.
And the people of Minnesota can also proud of their new Congressional represetative, for Mr. Ellison is obviously a man of faith, and considerable resourcefulness. He will surely his constituents, and our country, quite admirably.
And his critics should be celebrating too. Because this is what the United States of America is supposed to be about; this is what we're supposed to be fighting for--our freedoms as guaranteed in the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
You may disagree with Mr. Ellison's beliefs, but if you're a true Patriot you'll applaud his right to worship as he chooses.
And if you don't, then I suggest you go back to your history books and learn what Jefferson and the rest of the Founders were talking about.
Hooray for the First Amendment!
And I hope any readers who are atheists or agnostics, as well as all of you, whatever your faiths or spirtual paths, will join me in celebrating Congressman Ellison's moment in history and say "God Bless America!"
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