Tolerance

Dennis Prager is an idiot.

WASHINGTON — The first Muslim elected to Congress hasn't been sworn into office yet, but his act of allegiance has already been criticized by a conservative commentator.

In a column posted Tuesday on the conservative website Townhall.com, Dennis Prager blasted Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison's decision to take the oath of office Jan. 4 with his hand on a Quran, the Muslim holy book.

"He should not be allowed to do so," Prager wrote, "not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American culture."

He said Ellison, a convert from Catholicism, should swear on a Christian Bible — which "America holds as its holiest book. … If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress."

If a Muslim wants to take the oath of office on the Koran, why bitch about it? Is it any different than a Jew doing same with the Torah or a Christian with the Bible? Mr. Prager needs a lesson on the First Amendment.

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance."

Ellison’s right to take the oath in a manner of his choosing is EXACTLY what the Constitution provides. That is American culture and American values. Religious freedom is one of the cornerstones of our democracy and a hallmark of this nation's greatness. If you can’t grasp that Mr. Prager, then shut the hell up…