Goode's America

Representative Virgil Goode (R-Virginia) said this week that Keith Ellison, who was elected to Congress in the recent elections, shouldn't use the Quran in the swearing in ceremony. "If American citizens don't wake up ... there will be many more Muslims elected to office," he said. [CNN story]

I find it hard to believe that an elected official could make such statements. The Constitution protects freedom of religion, and sets no religious requirements for public office. I don't know much about Rep. Goode, but I get the impression that he thinks all religious expressions are wrong except his own. That is certainly not what this country is about, nor is it what I believe God is about. Next thing you know, he'll be suggesting that any old Bible isn't good enough, that it has to be the King James version.

If I were a citizen of Virginia, I'd be embarrassed to have Goode representing me. Does he not have any Muslim constituents? Would he deny them their constitutional rights? Doesn't the oath of office mention defending the constitution? The United States never was an evangelical Christian theocracy, nor should it be, but if folks like Goode have their way, it may become one. I doubt that could happen, but if American citizens don't wake up ... there will be many more Goodes elected to office.