I would prefer that we remove all religious-oriented symbolic gestures from government, but if we must have them it certainly makes no sense for a Muslim to swear on the Bible, any more than it would make sense for me to swear on the Bible. Alas, this will surely be a loud and divisive issue, which is the kind of discussion we most specialize in. It's also the kind of discussion which produces the fewest tangible results.

I think that it should be a non-issue. Anybody who really cares is a scare-mongering bigot. I personally that the ONLY text that any elected official to the federal government should be sworn in on is the US Constitution. After all, that is what they are swearing to uphold and protect...

well I first of all think they shouldent be sworned in with any religious text at all because this is such a diverse country. But I do think it opens the door for other people to start to refuse to use the bibel in let say courts and stuff.. and It would be difficult to keep a copy of all religious books/ artifacts for all different people. and then you will have atheists not wanting to swear to anything and so on.. so having said that I dont think you should have to swear on anything religious at all. I think by letting one change what they swear on you are opening it up to much caos I think ..

Unamerican, he should be ashamed as he's doing it for the publicity.

I have no problem with it and I'm a very devout Christian. As far as I see it he's placing his hand on a book of lies, but thats his choice to belive in that book. I'm sure he see's my holy book as being lies but I don't really care.

I agree with Stableboy, religion should be omitted from government. Why don't they swear in on the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence? Those are the most prized and honored documents in this country. A swearing in to a public office should be revised into something like this; I _________________________, do solemly swear on my good and just name, to uphold the Constituion of the United State of America, and abide by it's articles to support the freedom of the people whom sign my paycheck and for whom I am servant and answerable to. I swear not to take any bribes, or show favoritism to majority/minority lobbyists who represent large corporations, religions, or entity's, who would threaten the livelyhood or personal and individual freedom's of the people. I will not use my position to squandor tax dollars on useless military buildup programs, and I will promote a nuclear and oil free world for the benefit of our children whom I am a custodian of, and thus making the reasoning for war, obsolete. I swear to uphold the people's right to an education, and swear to make getting one more accessible for the benefit of our children whom I am a custodian of. I swear to uphold the people's right to accessible and fair priced healthcare and swear to outlaw greedy insureance companies and corporations that would oppose a just healthcare system that every individual can afford, no matter how modest their income. I swear to uphold the peoples right to social security, and medicare, and will instigate my powers that these programs continue on uncorrupted for the benefit of our children whom I am a custodian of. Read my lips, no new taxes ever, forever ever, I swear to insure the people that there shall be no more personal income taxation for every individual. No government office or related entity, or in the employ thereof, may exist to extort money from the people. I swear to uphold the security of our nations homeland, by insuring the peoples freedoms to never be impeded by shock and awe scare tactics from unseen and seen enemy's. I swear never to implement law or order that could be construed as a punishment or limitation set upon the people because I failed to protect or save them from harms way, because I wanted to finish the childrens book I was reading. I swear to uphold the freedom of the press, and the freedom of speech, and shall dismantle any office or related entity that seeks to seize control over the peoples will to know or have access to information, or the truth. Those who would oppose these great and cherished freedoms will be dragged out into the street and sumerily shot, hanged, or impaled. I swear, I am not related or affiliated to, nor have I ever given my oath to any third party or entity, that would make my taking this oath invalid. My taking of this oath of office while under a superceeding oath must be construed as an act of treason, as it is subversive to the will of the people. I so solemly swear, or may barbwire be wrapped around my balls and hung from the tallest tree in Washington... state that is, hey, it gives a whole new meaning to the term cherry tree lol. Well it's a rough draft but the best I can come up with thus far... I know, I got a bit silly but I can't help myself.

Why should I care what he is sworn in using? If he is swearing on the basis of his moral system, that's fine with me. If he believes in the morals of a toilet manual, that's also fine. That is, after all, what the first amendment is about. If you are going to allow religous texts, you have to allow them all. If you don't want to allow them all, you cannot allow any.

I think that if someone is taking an oath, or promising to tell the truth, they should swear on whatever their particular faith holds dear. Whether it be the Bible, Koran, or an old used truck tire. Why should someone have to swear on something they dont believe in?

If the Koran is the religious text that he uses, then I think there is absolutely no problem with it.

I think it's great. It shows he's honest. He could have sworn in using the Bible, but that isn't his religion, so he used something that would...I don't know how to put it, bind him to his word maybe? I'm horrible at explaining anything.

I personally wouldn't care if was sworn in on an issue of Hustler magazine! Each to his own and to hell with those who get their noses put out of joint by something so trivial. As long as the pursuit of ones beliefs doesn't infringe upon the freedom and safety of others, people should be left to practise whatever rites and rituals they think are important to them.

I agree with jervinator ,and if an affirmation of a faith is included, whatever the faith of the individual- use whatever text/codex/truck tire appropriate -- I thought it was cool that he used Thomas Jefferson's Q'arran, and that his family has been in the America's since the 1740's!

The purpose is to raise your oath to someone/something bigger than you no matter who it is. I'm okay with using the Qurran and I am a Christian.

Yellow Alert

Negatively .... The Koran contains specific language that advocates the overthrow of govts like ours. Hypocrisy in action. I prefer no religious text be used, but if one is , it should be the one this country was founded around, the Judeo-Christian ethic.

This nation was founded on principles such as brotherhood as well as at times secrecy. The first country in the world to recognize the USA a FREE and independent nation was Morocco a Muslim country. Morocco and Egypt still remain faithful allies of the USA and popular travel destinations of many Americans and other nationalities worldwide. That having been said Lets respect the man for his Honesty and sincerity and respect our own constitution for its clarity on this matters and if we really are the great Nation that we claim to be then this will not be an issue for us at all. :-) I hope that he does well in office and honors his title.

I think it's fine, if that makes the Congressman comfortable. As long as he promised to uphold the Constitution, fine...Makes you wonder about the faith of others, though, being sworn in with a Bible and then sending our troops overseas to be killed, or cutting food stamps or AFDC, or keeping the minimum wage below what is a living wage...Is this "Christian" behavior?