Buddhist congresswoman swears in with no book

[Coruscate]

Need I say more?

Not really.

News worthy though ^^;;

DU
AZ Central

Buddhist congresswoman sworn in with no book, calls for tolerance
WASHINGTON - While a new, Muslim member of Congress sparked a controversy for taking his oath of office with a Quran instead of a Bible on Thursday, another new member who is Buddhist was sworn in with no book at all.

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."

Members of the House for the 110th Congress were sworn in en masse then had individual swearing-in ceremonies with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. In many cases, members rest a hand on a Bible while taking the oath, but they're not required to do so.

Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat and native of Detroit, took his oath on a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Prior to his taking the oath, he was criticized by Virginia Republican Virgil Goode, who warned of an influx of Muslims being elected to public office.

[Chibi MitchellTF]

That IS ironic, especially compared to the fuss over using the Quran.

[Aaron]

The ceremonial swearing in is just that, ceremonial. They exist solely for the pictures. People have been aloud to use whatever books they've wanted, and the books have varied in the past (although typically to different forms of the bible). I don't think it's a big deal at all, and would probably only run a story for it if I was working in a Hawaiian newspaper.