Should Keith Ellison Be Sworn In With the Quran?

Keith Ellison, who will become the first Muslim member of Congress next month, has ignited a firestorm in the conservative blogosphere by planning to use the Quran during his ceremonial swearing-in.

Dennis Prager, who writes at Townhall.com, is leading the torch-and-pitchfork crowd with angry denunciations against the Minnesota Democrat for using the Muslim holy book instead of the Bible.

Writes Prager:

"Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress."

And:

"Devotees of multiculturalism and political correctness who do not see how damaging to the fabric of American civilization it is to allow Ellison to choose his own book need only imagine a racist elected to Congress. Would they allow him to choose Hitler's 'Mein Kampf,' the Nazis' bible, for his oath? And if not, why not? On what grounds will those defending Ellison's right to choose his favorite book deny that same right to a racist who is elected to public office?"

Heaven forbid that I agree with anything that Praeger (who happens to be Jewish) writes, but my initial thought was that Ellison ought to use the Bible like everyone else.

My second thought was that religious freedom is a fundamental right in America

So I'm with Ellison.

More here and here.