Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., made history by becoming the first Muslim member of Congress. He ignited a firestorm when he declared that he would be using a Koran for his ceremonial swearing-in.
Meanwhile, a new member of Congress, who is a nominal Buddhist, was sworn in using no book at all.
From Gannett News Service:
“Rep. Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat who was raised in the Buddhist tradition but doesn’t actively practice the religion, said, “I don’t have a book. … But I certainly believe in the precepts of Buddhism and that of tolerance of other religions and integrity and honesty.”
It’s refreshing to have a politician who doesn’t make decisions, be they personal or political, based on an ancient text.
President George W. Bush bases his Middle East foreign policy, in part, by examining the entrails of the Book of Revelations. I’m sure that Rep. Hirono will base her foreign policy on logic, common sense and by seeking the advise of experts in the field.
I never heard of a Buddhist beating a homosexual to death in the name of Buddha. A Buddhist doesn’t attain a state of Zen by flying a plane into a building. The concept of a “holy war” is anathema to a Buddhist.
Members of Congress have every right to use a Koran, Bible or Playboy Magazine during their photo-op swearing-in. But I feel much more comfortable with a politician who is sworn in using no book at all.
