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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Fly320s on November 30, 2006, 04:12:01 PM

Title: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Fly320s on November 30, 2006, 04:12:01 PM
A recently elected US Representative, or maybe a Senator- I'm not sure, wants to use a Koran instead of a Bible for his swearing-in.  I caught part of the discussion on Hannity and Colms tonight on Fox.

So, would any of you mind if I didn't use a Bible when I am sworn into office as President?  What about the congress-critter's use of the Koran?
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: cosine on November 30, 2006, 04:15:36 PM
No problem either way. I don't mind.
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Ron on November 30, 2006, 04:24:20 PM
Quote
Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?

They should drop the whole swear on a book thing, whether its the Bible or not.

When you get in the White House, think you could put some muscle on Illinois and get them to recognize our right to CCW?

Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Nightfall on November 30, 2006, 04:26:50 PM
How about we have them swear in with their hand on the US Constitution instead? Seems more relevant. Smiley
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Standing Wolf on November 30, 2006, 04:40:56 PM
Quote
How about we have them swear in with their hand on the US Constitution instead? Seems more relevant.

That's assuming a.) our elected misrepresentatives are smart enough to read, and b.) they're honorable enough actually to read the Constitution before swearing to uphold and defend it.
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Eleven Mike on November 30, 2006, 05:37:56 PM
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They should drop the whole swear on a book thing, whether its the Bible or not.
Perhaps so.  Most of them are contemptible liars and cheats anyhow.  They shouldn't be profaning holy books with their money-grubbing little hands.
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Twycross on November 30, 2006, 10:04:31 PM
Considering that most of them have zero regard for the oath, they can swear on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for all I care.
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Fly320s on December 01, 2006, 01:26:42 AM
Twycross,

Pass me a gargleblaster, please!  grin
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Ron on December 01, 2006, 03:40:35 AM
DON'T PANIC !
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: DJJ on December 01, 2006, 03:46:16 AM
There's a passage in the Bible (maybe Preacherman can help) that (paraphrased) says, "Don't swear on the Bible, for you didn't write a single word in it; don't swear on <something>, because <something>; don't even swear on your own head, because you cannot make a single hair black or white; just say yes. That ought to be good enough."

So the oath ought to go something like,

"Do you promise..."
"Yes."
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Ron on December 01, 2006, 04:17:07 AM
It is in the sermon on the mount, Matthew 5:36

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

The whole swearing oaths thing was kinda dumped in the New Testament, it was real common in the Old Testament.

Swearing oaths and the like served the same purpose as the Law that God gave. It provided great examples of how humans cannot obey His law or keep their promises.
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: Chris on December 01, 2006, 04:47:18 AM
When I was sworn in to the Army, I had my right hand up, left hand at my side.
When I was sworn in as an attorney, I had my right hand up, left hand at my side.
When I was sworn in as a prosecutor, I had my right hand up, left hand at my side.
When I was sworn in as a magistrate, I had my right hand up, left hand at my side.

It's the oath that matters, not where the left hand is.  Assuming that the person taking the oath has any real honor.

That said, if I was standing there being sworn in as President, I'd want that big old Bible that many previous Presidents have used.  For the history and the tradition.
Title: Re: Do you mind if I don't swear on the Bible when I become President?
Post by: wingnutx on December 01, 2006, 06:55:01 AM
When I'm sworn in it will be on a first-edition of Starship Troopers.