Replies

"Courts for years have allowed witnesses to use 'other than the Bible' during swearing in activities. Precedent has already been set."

Since the purpose is to make them tell the truth and impress upon the the need to tell the truth, I would think that a book they believe in would be the most effective.

I mean the Bible didn't stop Clinton from lying.

A Bible is just a book --- it doesn't have magical properties. It's believing what is in the Bible that makes the Bible work.

I would think a Koran (as worthless as it is) is the best bet to try to keep an worthless muslim from breaking his oath to uphold the US Constitution.

Since the purpose is to make them tell the truth and impress upon the the need to tell the truth, I would think that a book they believe in would be the most effective.

Except that, per the modern Imam interpretation, it is the duty of the Believer to lie to the Infidel non-believer. Thusly, a non-Islamic Sharia court or governing body, etc., would be 'infidelic'; ergo, the oath on a Koran in a non-Islamic court would have no validity as to its truthfulness.

In other words, the oath would be worthless, if it is deemed that lying to the infidel is appropriate.

An oath is an oath, regardless if one's hand is on a book or not. When a man gives his word, he's bound by it. The oath says:

" I, Loyal Citizen of the Republic, 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. So help me God."

The oath of office doesn't say anything about defending our values or morals. It says that one will support and defend the Constitution. Let our officials raise their hand and swear by the Constitution or the flag. That would suit me fine and would be more appropriate.

The Constitution specifies in Article VI, clause 3:

"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

As for that batch of crooks, liars, adulterers and con men who fill the halls of Congress, swearing on the Bible doesn't seem to be a "value-added" proposition. It surely doesn't ensure faithful service or devotion to God or their public duty.