Swearing on the Bible

[Irish Caesar]

A Muslim swearing on the Bible is meaningless, as would be a Christian swearing on the Koran.

Personally, I think if your word isn't honorable enough, then you have no business at the Capitol. I also think 535 people need new jobs.

 

[North King]

If anything, perhaps we should roll up a copy of the Constitution into a scroll and make them all swear upon that document.

No. This would tend to turn the Constitution into a holy document, when in reality it is changable, made by humans, for humans.

I say, if they need something to swear on, then go ahead, but I should think that a politician would hopefully have a good enough word that they wouldn't need a book to reaffirm them. A delusional hope, yes.

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

Swearing is useless it is talk. Here: I, AL_DA_GREAT promise to fly to the moon and back this week. They should do it like they did it in ancient Greece where they had to swear on their balls.

 

[Phlegmak]

It's not law, just longstanding tradition. There's no legal requirement to swear on the bible.

In that case, he can swear on used toilet paper if he wants to.

 

[puglover]

Often having the "right" to do a thing, is not necessarily the right thing to do.

But apparently, swearing on the Bible is not the right thing to do.

Matthew 5:33-37

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

 

[Souron]

I heard that muslim witnesses usually swear on the Quran. This should be like the same thing.

The only trouble is if people start swearing on non binding things, like a dictionairy. "I solemly swear to tell the the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me Webster" -- doesn't fly.

 

[JollyRoger]

Which presidents? Which congressmen? Links? Proof?

The only president I can recall that didnt was Teddy Roosevelt and that was simply a matter of expediting his oath, not be design.

Franklin Pierce and Theodore Roosevelt did not swear on the Bible. Rutherford Haye & Chester Arthur used no Bible in thier private swearing-ins, but used Bible in their public ceremonies. There are numerous Presidents where it is unknown whether thay swore on the Bible or not. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/pihtml/pibible.html
Linda Lingle, the governor of Hawaii, was sworn in on the Tanakh. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/29/opinion/main2217618_page2.shtml

 

[Adamb0mb]

They should do it like they did it in ancient Greece where they had to swear on their balls.

What about the women congresspeople? Shouold they just grab the balls nearest to them and swear on those?

 

[cegman]

I agree with Mobboss that he shouldn't break tradition if he isn't willing to pay for it. Or if he is just doing it for publicity (sorry mobboss if that wasn't your exact meaning) I also like his idea about the constitution. Wow mobboss we agree about something.

 

[rysingsun]

i'm against forcing people to take oaths. so my answer (no poll option available though) is: i'm a christian and i'm against oaths on any book.

 

[bhsup]

Nobody is forced to do this. Anyone can 'affirm' instead of 'swear' and leave God entirely out of it.

 

[GoldEagle]

The only trouble is if people start swearing on non binding things, like a dictionairy. "I solemly swear to tell the the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me Webster" -- doesn't fly.

What about the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

 

[QuoVadisNation]

The point of swearing on a religious text is to compel (some) people to tell the truth since they're essentially promising to tell the truth, or deal fairly, to their religion, or God. (i.e; bible, Koran). If the Koran compels somebody to deal fairly, why not? Court cases also don't require the bible if someone doesn't want too.

Regardless, I do believe it to be a rather meaningless ritual.

It'd be more much effective to just say "do you swear to say the truth and nothing but the truth and deal fairly or be given 'x' number of years in said pain-in-the-ass prison?"

 

[Trajan12]

The Bible forbids swearing on God or his word's name. I'm sure the Quran frowns upon this to. I don't like either.

 

[Elrohir]

Even though this nation is built upon Freedom of Religion, it seems as if a good majority of Christians only want "freedom" for their religion. Funny how stuff like that works out, eh?

-GE

And it seems that most Christians, on CFC at least, don't care if this guy swears on a Koran or not.

I don't particularly care what this guy swears on. Doesn't bother me what he uses, as long as he's serious about it.

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

What about the women congresspeople? Shouold they just grab the balls nearest to them and swear on those?

On another type of ball (that is preferably ball shaped)

 

[Trajan12]

What about the women congresspeople? Shouold they just grab the balls nearest to them and swear on those?

That is quote of the day for me!

 

[cegman]

I should rephrase my post. I definately don't care what he swears on as long as it will make him uphold his promise and does not cause undo controversy for little gain.

 

[Sidhe]

But apparently, swearing on the Bible is not the right thing to do.

Matthew 5:33-37

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

__________________

Wise words from the bible, honour above all else.

Swearing is useless it is talk. Here: I, AL_DA_GREAT promise to fly to the moon and back this week. They should do it like they did it in ancient Greece where they had to swear on their balls.

I thought it was a roman one. Could be wrong though. Testify(testicle) Is definitely from the latin, but the Romans did steal a great deal of culture from Greece.

 

[.Shane.]

Its an almost completely empty symbolic gesture. Who cares what they swear on, or if they do at all?