Sat Jan 16, 2021, 09:59 PM

What Would You Swear Upon?

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?

18 replies, 748 views

Thread info Bookmark this thread Trash this thread

Reply to this thread

Always highlight: 10 newest replies | Replies posted after I mark a forum

Replies to this discussion thread

18 replies	Author	Time	Post
What Would You Swear Upon? (Original post)	Collimator	Jan 2021	OP
Nothing	PJMcK	Jan 2021	#1
none and it wouldnt be so help me god either nt	msongs	Jan 2021	#2
Not religious but I have my father's Bible from WWII, maybe that.	dem4decades	Jan 2021	#3
I think I'd go with these	True Dough	Jan 2021	#4
LOL	Catcar	Jan 2021	#7
ROFL!!!!!	50 Shades Of Blue	Jan 2021	#9
I wouldn't swear at all. Note that all mentions of swearing also say "or affirm". This goes back..	TreasonousBastard	Jan 2021	#5
The Constitution. Or The Old Man and the Sea.	Catcar	Jan 2021	#6
Affirm on a copy of the Constitution	exboyfil	Jan 2021	#8
One of my parents' wedding photos, since they're the reason I'd be there.	50 Shades Of Blue	Jan 2021	#10
Another for the Constitution.	Baked Potato	Jan 2021	#11
Definitely the Constitution. IMHO, that should have replaced the Bible	Marie Marie	Jan 2021	#12
Constitution and Declaration of Independence.	lastlib	Jan 2021	#14
i'd make a pinky promise	orleans	Jan 2021	#13
The Constitution. No Bibles, No Korans, No 'holy books'.	GoneOffShore	Jan 2021	#15
I'd give my lick and a promise on dark chocolate.	Solly Mack	Jan 2021	#16
Being a Quaker, I wouldn't. (n/t)	derby378	Jan 2021	#17
I wouldn't, I know	Floyd R. Turbo	Jan 2021	#18

Response to Collimator (Original post)

Sat Jan 16, 2021, 10:02 PM

PJMcK (19,960 posts)

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!

What Would You Swear Upon?

1. Nothing

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

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

4. I think I'd go with these

7. LOL

9. ROFL!!!!!

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

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

8. Affirm on a copy of the Constitution

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

11. Another for the Constitution.

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

14. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

13. i'd make a pinky promise

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

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

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

18. I wouldn't, I know