In Post column, Andrews revived "controvers[y]" surrounding Rep. Ellison's use of Quran
Summary: In his June 17 Denver Post column, John Andrews dubiously asserted that Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison's (D-MN) "decision to be sworn in on the Koran still echoes controversially." In fact, Ellison used the Quran for a ceremonial swearing-in photo; he was not officially sworn in on the Quran.
In a June 17 Denver Post column that posed the question, "Can a good Muslim be a good American?" John Andrews dubiously asserted that U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison's (D-MN) "decision to be sworn in [to Congress] on the Koran still echoes controversially." Andrews, however, failed to mention that while Ellison posed for a ceremonial swearing-in photo-op with his hand on the Quran, he was not officially sworn in on the religious text, as Media Matters for America noted.
Andrews began his column, titled "Muhammad and Jefferson," by recounting a conversation he had while "pass[ing] the Washington office of Congressman Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim to serve there":
Can a good Muslim be a good American? Brian, a constitutional scholar, put the question to Michael, a national security expert, as we passed the Washington office of Congressman Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim to serve there. Ellison's decision to be sworn in on the Koran still echoes controversially.
[...]
Almost 1 percent of our U.S. population are now Muslims, about 2.35 million in all. Most people know some, and we find them decent folks, pleasant to be with, no less than any other religious group. Unfortunately, that's beside the point for Brian's question to Michael.
Muslims can obviously be Americans. More and more are, by birth, immigration or conversion. The qualifier "good" is where it gets uncertain. If a "good" American is one who lives in fidelity to our nation's founding principles in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and a good Muslim is one who lives in fidelity to his God-given scripture, the Koran, the concern is whether you can do both.
As Media Matters and Colorado Media Matters have noted, other conservative pundits have raised doubts about Ellison's commitment to his country by pointing to his Islamic faith. On the November 14, 2006, edition of his CNN Headline News program, Glenn Beck said to Ellison during an interview: "I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.' " Similarly, on the January 3 broadcast of Fox News Radio 600 KCOL's Mornings with Keith and Gail!, co-host Gail Fallen asserted that "Ellison is bound to those edicts [of the Quran], rather than having to adhere to those stated in the U.S. Constitution."
Ellison asserted during a December 24, 2006, National Public Radio Weekend Edition broadcast that "the document that we all should focus on is not any religious text -- that's personal -- but the Constitution; that's where our focus needs to be. And the Constitution explicitly prohibits any government body from having a religious test for an elected official." Furthermore, as the weblog Think Progress reported, although "[o]ccasionally, Members pose for symbolic photo-ops" with their hand on a Bible, "neither the Christian Bible, nor any other religious text, ha[s] ever been used in an official capacity during the [swearing-in] ceremony."
In addition to repeating the conservative talking point about Ellison's use of the Quran during the ceremonial photo-op, Andrews referenced Thomas Jefferson but failed to mention that Ellison took his "ceremonial oath with a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson," according to The Washington Post. Andrews wrote, "How can Muhammad's teaching that women and unbelievers, especially Jews, are inferior square with Jefferson's 'all created equal'?" He added, "By some interpretations, the Koran forbids a good Muslim from giving any allegiance whatsoever to the nation-state, and hence from obeying civil laws made by any secular government. Sharia, the religious laws proceeding from Allah's books and clergy, alone warrant obedience according to this strain of Islam."
Andrews, who hosts the weekly radio program Backbone Radio on KNUS 710 AM, also posted the column on his Backbone America Web page.
—C.H.
Comments (8) Show
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Speaking of controversial echoes, is that the sound of escaping air coming from the brain of Andrews. I know. Its Norma Andersons fault for pulling his chain. For some reason, a "good Muslim" sounds like "good boy" coming from the pen of Andrews questioning the patriotism of a black Congressman who happens to be a Muslim. Andrews is an insult and public buffoon who's crackpot columns speak for themselves.
His argument about Muslims following the Quran and that this doesn't prescribe to the Constitution is incredibly stupid. I seem to remember the Constitution not saying anything about having to be a particular religion to be an American. And as a matter of fact, there are no religious parts of the Constitution, except where it says separation of church and state (paraphrasing here).
His argument about a Muslim following the Quran could be the same one used for evangelical Christians as well when they follow the Bible to the letter, or at least that's what they say they do. There are lots of rules and or "laws" within the Bible that don't jibe with the laws of this country.
These guys are pure idiots for insisting, more or less, that a Muslim can't be a good citizen, for whatever reason. Ellison swore an oath to the US and to the Constitution, and that's good enough for me.
Personally, I wouldn't want a Muslim taking a loyalty oath on the Bible in the same way I wouldn't want a Christian taking an oath on the Koran. If the person swearing in on the book does not believe its contents, what good is the oath?
Young Friedberg is correct. The sworn oath is the issue, not whatever material document one places his/her hand upon. I don't care if a person swears on Captain Billys Whiz Bang, if you break your oath, you fail as an honest, respectable citizen. John Andrews wants this to remain controversial in order to keep his "followers" appeased. Oh, and by the way, keep Muslims at the forefront as the "evil doers". This man needs to retire to his imaginary town of "Backbone". I had imaginary friends, he has a whole municipality. Mayor Andrews, Chief Andrews, Pastor Andrews, Alderman Andrews, Editor Andrews, etc. What a place. Everyone will think and live like John Andrews. Anybody care to emigrate to his utopia? Be sure to bring your appropriate documentation.
I love it and agree with all of you. Chief Andrews, Mayor Andrews, Father Andrews, what ever needs to migrate to his holier than thou Backboneville. Can you believe the Denver Post prints his tripe and fires Jim Spencer.
Get a grip people! The conquest of non-believers thru conversion or death is a central tenent of Islam. This is not a right wing talking point; it is right there in the Koran and supporting Suras and Hadithas for anyone to see. Dozens of people die every day at the hands of killers acting in the name of Islam. As I write this post, tens of thousands are protesting in the streets calling for the death of Salman Rushdie for merely exercising his free speech nearly 20 years ago. To dismiss those who call attention to these truths as 'bigots' is either the height of delusion or intelectual dishonesty.
Here is what I grip and hold onto tightly. I have friends and neighbors who are Muslims. I have worked with people who believe in Islam. I frequent businesses that are owned by readers of the Quran. I do not fear them because, as American citizens, they merely seek what I seek. To live my life in a free society and to have access to the opportunities that are available to all Americans. I do not deny that there are radical Islamists throughout the world who want to do me harm. This is a fact of human history. But I will not live my life in fear or hatred of ALL Muslims. To do so "is either the height of delusion or intelectual (sic) dishonesty".
The Bible - What They Forgot to Tell You!"Believing is easier than thinking. Hence so many more believers than thinkers." Bruce Calvert http://www.bibleislam.com
Muslim's Bible~Hotline: http://bibleislam.com
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