Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Takes Oath On Constitution Instead Of Bible

[hurl]

"Good News: In a symbolic victory for secular values, new Secretary Of State Antony Blinken takes the oath of office on a copy of the U.S. Constitution, instead of the Bible.

The New York Times reports:

Vice President Kamala Harris delivered the oath of office to Antony J. Blinken on Wednesday, his first full day leading the State Department.

Photos from the event show Blinken taking the oath of office on a copy of the U.S. Constitution."

(more at link, including video of the ceremony)

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2021/01/secretary-of-state-antony-blinken-takes-oath-on-constitution-instead-of-bible/


I do not know what his beliefs are, but it's nice to see this.

[Laelth]

1. Excellent!

I would do the same if I had the courage and the opportunity.



-Laelth

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. Nice to see someone NOT using a NOVEL to swear an oath on.

[NurseJackie]

7. Oh, you're bad.

I like that!

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. ...

[joshdawg]

22. Yes!

The best-selling book of fiction ever.

[Duppers]

3. Very good to hear.

Thank you for the info.

👍

[Jerry2144]

4. If I were to be sworn in

I would choose the phone book. More accurate than the Bible and symbolic of the people I would be representing

[ad121rome]

5. Actually

Mr. Blinken’s beliefs have nothing to do with his oath to the country. All Federal officials should take the oath with their hand on the Constitution. It sickens me that some officials take it so lightly and turn their back on the oath so quickly.

[Denvermosaic]

6. Presidents should take the oath on Constitution as well as upholding it. The bible is irrelevant.

[angrychair]

9. Xians would lose their mind

We've been making kids pledge to the Christian God since 1953 and unfortunately most people don't care.

[LazySusanNot]

10. Maybe SOS Blinken is another convert to the reality based community....

Last edited Mon Feb 1, 2021, 05:56 PM - Edit history (1)

Regardless of his religious views, I like the strategic move. So much of what we do in Govt and Society as a whole is based on symbolism. I think The Constitution is probably the greatest symbol he could have chosen, especially now.

Thanks for posting this.
The symbolism is re-inforced every time it's brought into the light.

[SpankMe]

11. So much win! n/t

[AirmensMom]

12. It doesn't matter what his religious beliefs are.

Says to in the Constitution. We do need to know that he believes in the U.S. Constitution. Very refreshing!

[BigOleDummy]

17. Exactly

And well said!

[leanforward]

13. Separation of church and state

I all in on that. Makes me think of how the french achieved their separation.

[BobTheSubgenius]

14. Which would you rather see?

Govt officials following the dos ands don'ts of the Constitution, or adhering to the tenets of the Bible?

[IronLionZion]

15. He's Jewish, but that shouldn't matter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_office#Federal_executive_and_legislative_branch_oaths

There's no need for any book, but the constitution makes the most sense since it is explicitly cited in the oath.

I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

[panfluteman]

16. Isn't Antony Blinken from a Jewish Family that Fled Hitler's Holocaust?

The whole swearing on a Bible thing must be particularly mixed and ambivalent for Jews, with half of the book - the Old Testament - being OK, but the other half - the New Testament - being inherently problematic.

[3catwoman3]

18. Good on him!

Most appropriate, for many reasons.

[ailsagirl]

19. I like that-- maybe it will set a precedent!!

Besides, it really makes more sense than using the Bible since it's the Constitution they must uphold.

IMHO

[Glaisne]

20. As it should be!

More should do this!

[yonder]

21. Didn't MTG or Boebert get their face in a squinch

because another recent appointee did the same?

This is really great and about time the tables were turned.

[Auggie]

23. I'll have to remember this should (in the very unlikely occurrence) I'll ever have to take an oath