Why do Presidents swear into office with a hand on a bible? I would much rather have them swear in

[JohnMcCant2008]

with a hand on a copy of our Constitution.

Is a bible (or any religious text) necessary or required by law? Or is it tradition?

I'm not being sarcastic or trying to make a joke - anyone else have any thoughts?

[Parche]

1. I Agree

I think it is against the Constitution to swear in on a bible
and I will never do it, if I am in court
They should just raise their right hand, and or on a Copy of the Constitution.

After all the Bible is just a fantasy book....

:hi:

[RoBear]

2. Got to agree with you

Sick of the "God favors America" meme...

[dflprincess]

3. It's just a tradition

and I have also had the same thought, that the Constitution should be used.

[JuniperLea]

4. I like the Constitution idea...

I'll be interested in seeing someone come up with the deal on this. Good question, methinks.

[damonm]

5. Tradition, as I understand it - it's the President-Elect's choice, I believe.

[Pyrzqxgl]

6. Or maybe a copy of Mechanics Illustrated.

It's going to take some mechanical knowhow to put this country back together.

[w4rma]

7. Presidents can swear in on anything they want. (nt)

[JohnMcCant2008]

11. Thanks all for the input - I wonder about this every 4 years. Then I forget about it for another 4.

[Crazy Dave]

8. You remember all the uproar when a Muslim representative wanted to use the Quran?

Keith Ellison (D) I believe and people had a fit

[DavidDvorkin]

9. It's an outrage, as is the addition of "so help me God" at the end of the oath

The Constitution specifies the presidential swearing-in oath, and the God part isn't in there. Nor is the Bible mentioned.

[bdamomma]

23. just my opinion.

but I wish they would keep religion out of it. too late now.

[brendan120678]

10. It's due to tradition, mostly...

George Washington did it - so everyone's followed suit.
There isn't any requirement that the Bible - or any other book or document - be used.

[rucky]

12. When America can handle electing a non-x-tian president

we should also be able to work out the whole swearing-in thing.

[zbdent]

13. debunked superstition ... people believed that, if you swore to God on a bible that you would uphold

the laws, you would be struck dead if you were lying ...

proven wrong every time a Repuke puts his hand on the bible and swears to tell the truth.

Most notably, 1/20/2001 ... “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend, the constitution of the United States. So help me God.”

And Bush didn't have even a hair standing on end ...

[SwampG8r]

14. they dont have to swear in at all

they can affirm that they will comply with the same conditions sworn
the constitution included this option as there were and are some small sects which are forbidden swearing under an oath

[rsdsharp]

15. Apparently John Quincy Adams

who was quite religious, felt the Bible should be reserved for purely religious purposes. He was sworn in on the Constitution and a law book. Theodore Roosevelt also didn't use a Bible.

[fizzgig]

16. great tidbit!

thanks for sharing that :hi:

[Kitty Herder]

17. I never knew that. That's awesome!! nt

[JohnMcCant2008]

22. THAT is a great bit of trivia!

[Kitty Herder]

18. I think it would be wonderful if they'd swear on the Constitution rather than the Bible.

That would mean something to me. The Bible? Not so much.

[elkston]

19. Cmon. A little bit of the Bible never hurt anyone. Too much anti-Christian stuff here. (n/t)

[JohnMcCant2008]

24. Not 'anti-christian' ----- PRO-separation of church and state was more the intent I think.

[ItNerd4life]

20. Agree! Also, they have to pass a constitution test. n't

[treestar]

21. I agree with you

Around here, they still use it in the courts, too.