What Would You Swear Upon?

[Collimator]

The talk of Harris being sworn into office on Marshall's Bible made me think.

I am not a Christian. I have read the Bible closely and while I do believe there is beauty and inspiration to be found in its pages, I no longer ascribe any sacred significance to it.

If I needed to swear an oath to my country, I would rather place my hand on my grandmother's naturalization certificate. It is the formal acknowledgement of her journey to become an American. Even though it uses the phrase, "in the Year of Our Lord", it also uses the words, " in the [insert number here] Year of Our Independence" and that gives me chills.

Maybe I am thinking about it right now because I have lost a lot of pride in my country under Trump's regime. Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in particular has knocked a lot of the pride and faith right out of me.

Anyway, putting aside my own feelings, if you were to be sworn into office, what object--if any--would you choose to be the visual symbol of your oath?

Oh, by the way, Jefferson's Bible does come to mind. And didn't he also own a Koran that a Muslim congressperson used for his oath?

[PJMcK]

1. Nothing

If I were elected president, I would raise my right hand and take the oath. A Bible is an irrelevancy since I'm an atheist.

That probably means that I would never have to make that decision!

Well, that and the fact that I'm a life-long pothead!

[msongs]

2. none and it wouldnt be so help me god either nt

[dem4decades]

3. Not religious but I have my father's Bible from WWII, maybe that.

[True Dough]

4. I think I'd go with these

Yeah, my hand would be sticky but I'd devour them afterward!

[Catcar]

7. LOL

[50 Shades Of Blue]

9. ROFL!!!!!

[TreasonousBastard]

5. I wouldn't swear at all. Note that all mentions of swearing also say "or affirm". This goes back..

to English law in at least the 1600s when Quakers and others had religious objections to swearing to a deity.

These days it is not as big a deal as back then, but our founders were well aware of the question and included affirmation as an alternative to swearing.

So, as a non-practicing Quaker, and current UU and general non-believer I would (and have) simply said "I affirm".

[Catcar]

6. The Constitution. Or The Old Man and the Sea.

[exboyfil]

8. Affirm on a copy of the Constitution

My faith is my own. My allegiance is to my country. I would affirm that allegiance.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

10. One of my parents' wedding photos, since they're the reason I'd be there.

[Baked Potato]

11. Another for the Constitution.

[Marie Marie]

12. Definitely the Constitution. IMHO, that should have replaced the Bible

for any one taking an oath of office years ago.

[lastlib]

14. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

[orleans]

13. i'd make a pinky promise

[GoneOffShore]

15. The Constitution. No Bibles, No Korans, No 'holy books'.

[Solly Mack]

16. I'd give my lick and a promise on dark chocolate.

[derby378]

17. Being a Quaker, I wouldn't. (n/t)

[Floyd R. Turbo]

18. I wouldn't, I know

all the words!