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Bible main holy book for oaths
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| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Edited | Thomas Walker Jan 05, 2007 10:07am |
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| Category | General |
| Media | Newspaper - Columbus Dispatch |
| News Date | Friday, January 5, 2007 04:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | When Ohio's new state officeholders take their oaths of office over the next few days, most will use a Bible with special significance to them and their families.
A few, however, are relying on other holy texts or none at all: a prayer book for a Jewish state senator, the Torah for the Jewish lieutenant governor and nothing at all for an Asian Indian lawmaker who had considered using Hindu texts or the U.S. Constitution.
Before a Muslim congressman from Minnesota decided to take his oath of office yesterday on a Quran owned by Thomas Jefferson, few people paid attention to the religious document — or lack of one — that officeholders use in ceremonial swearing-in ceremonies. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., touched off a national debate over whether the Christian Bible is the only appropriate text.
Some prominent social conservatives, such as nationally syndicated radio host Dennis Prager and American Family Association Chairman Donald Wildmon, argue that there’s no substitute for the Bible as the source of American values. They say even non-Christian public officials should use the Bible less for its religious meaning than for its place in history and law.
Three of Ohio’s Jewish officeholders are taking different approaches. Attorney General-elect Marc Dann is taking his oath on the Bible. Lt. Gov.-elect Lee Fisher is using two Torahs, one belonging to his late mother and the other to his daughter. State Sen. David Goodman used a prayer book that belonged to his grandfather. |
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