I often hear fears that Obama is really a Muslim and that he may take his oath of office (assuming he is elected) on the Koran. Why do I not hear any concerns about the possibility of McCain's runnning mate possibilities, one a Mormon taking the oath of office on the Book of Mormon and the other a Jew (Eric Cantor) taking his on an incomplete Bible?
Originally posted by kirksey957God's chill with Jews and their half-religion. I guess it's like he sees them as his rebellious but still favorite child. The Mormons are AMERICAN, home bred, even if they are weird.
I often hear fears that Obama is really a Muslim and that he may take his oath of office (assuming he is elected) on the Koran. Why do I not hear any concerns about the possibility of McCain's runnning mate possibilities, one a Mormon taking the oath of office on the Book of Mormon and the other a Jew (Eric Cantor) taking his on an incomplete Bible?
Originally posted by kirksey957Obama's not Muslim. That's ridiculous.
I often hear fears that Obama is really a Muslim and that he may take his oath of office (assuming he is elected) on the Koran. Why do I not hear any concerns about the possibility of McCain's runnning mate possibilities, one a Mormon taking the oath of office on the Book of Mormon and the other a Jew (Eric Cantor) taking his on an incomplete Bible?
Originally posted by kirksey957I personally don't care what book they swear on. In fact, why we still use the bible to swear on in this way and in court makes little sense to me and should cease.
I often hear fears that Obama is really a Muslim and that he may take his oath of office (assuming he is elected) on the Koran. Why do I not hear any concerns about the possibility of McCain's runnning mate possibilities, one a Mormon taking the oath of office on the Book of Mormon and the other a Jew (Eric Cantor) taking his on an incomplete Bible?
Originally posted by kirksey957what would an atheist swear on? assuming he is suicidal enough to admit he is an atheist running for president in US and assuming he is lucky enough to be elected?
I often hear fears that Obama is really a Muslim and that he may take his oath of office (assuming he is elected) on the Koran. Why do I not hear any concerns about the possibility of McCain's runnning mate possibilities, one a Mormon taking the oath of office on the Book of Mormon and the other a Jew (Eric Cantor) taking his on an incomplete Bible?
this practice should stop. but i guess it is tradition
Originally posted by kirksey957I he swears on the Bible then it will only prove that he is in fact not a follower of Christ, who made it quite clear that swearing was not desirable.
I often hear fears that Obama is really a Muslim and that he may take his oath of office (assuming he is elected) on the Koran. Why do I not hear any concerns about the possibility of McCain's runnning mate possibilities, one a Mormon taking the oath of office on the Book of Mormon and the other a Jew (Eric Cantor) taking his on an incomplete Bible?
But then tradition has a way of overriding religious teachings.
Originally posted by ZahlanziThe more I think of it, the more I think that it should just be the U.S. flag that should be sworn on and that's it. No bible, no quran.
what would an atheist swear on? assuming he is suicidal enough to admit he is an atheist running for president in US and assuming he is lucky enough to be elected?
this practice should stop. but i guess it is tradition
You are swearing to do the best for your country and the flag would do as a symbol for that.
Originally posted by PsychoPawnThe whole religion-ist part of US culture (i.e. "In God We Trust," "One nation under God," swearing on the Bible, etc.) was added during the McCarthy era when people were terrified of being atheist.
The more I think of it, the more I think that it should just be the U.S. flag that should be sworn on and that's it. No bible, no quran.
You are swearing to do the best for your country and the flag would do as a symbol for that.
Originally posted by scherzoWhat did people swear on before that?
The whole religion-ist part of US culture (i.e. "In God We Trust," "One nation under God," swearing on the Bible, etc.) was added during the McCarthy era when people were terrified of being atheist.
Frankly, I know some about US history, but not all the specifics. I do know some of it predates the 50's though. I know the "under god" part of the pledge came from.
However, god being on currency goes further back:
http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.html
The McCarty era was more about rooting out commies than atheists. The thing was that they saw communism as linked to atheism so the US wanted to distinguish ourselves from the "godless commies" etc..
I do think we should swear on the flag though. That would make more sense than a "holy" book.
Originally posted by kirksey957I wouldn't worry about Cantor -- he's likely to be able to sing well and the Bible he uses is, in point of fact, the only 5 books that haven't caused millions of unnecessary deaths and led to that sink of putrid corruption and sexual predation of children known as the Catholic Church.
I often hear fears that Obama is really a Muslim and that he may take his oath of office (assuming he is elected) on the Koran. Why do I not hear any concerns about the possibility of McCain's runnning mate possibilities, one a Mormon taking the oath of office on the Book of Mormon and the other a Jew (Eric Cantor) taking his on an incomplete Bible?
Not that those first 5 books are the revealed word of a deity, either. All of what is taken as scripture is merely ink on a page put there by fallible human beings.
Lots of folks use those words for their own power-driven or self righteous ends.
But they are just words on a page.
Originally posted by PsychoPawnThey didn't swear on anything.
What did people swear on before that?
Frankly, I know some about US history, but not all the specifics. I do know some of it predates the 50's though. I know the "under god" part of the pledge came from.
However, god being on currency goes further back:
http://www.treas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.html
The McCarty era was ...[text shortened]... think we should swear on the flag though. That would make more sense than a "holy" book.
"Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_Two_of_the_United_States_Constitution#Clause_8:_Oath_or_Affirmation
Notice the lack of "so help me God".
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Originally posted by scherzoWow, you could not be more incorrect here if you tried. A simple examination of numismatics would show that God references have been in place since the American Civil War and that attempts were made more than 20 years prior to that to include mottos with reference to God.
The whole religion-ist part of US culture (i.e. "In God We Trust," "One nation under God," swearing on the Bible, etc.) was added during the McCarthy era when people were terrified of being atheist.
In point of fact, the Civil War was rife with both sides claiming to be on the side of God and the inclusion of these mottos were but a part of that.
As far as swearing into office on a Bible or using the phrase "So help me God", that has been going on since the beginning of the republic. It should be noted that some have chosen to take the oath of presidential office without a Bible, most recently Theodore Roosevelt. But the use of Judeo-Christian scripture in swearing in and inaugurations has also been more or less a constant since the Civil War.