Buddhist sworn in

Mazie Hirono

Well, I certainly didn't discover this in the mainstream press. Take a look at this excerpt from an article entitled "Buddhist congresswoman sworn in, urges tolerance":

WASHINGTON, USA -- 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, 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.

We're supposed to be a free country. None of this should matter. But isn't it interesting how people get all upset about Muslim but are cool about a Buddhist.