# Stupid Republican idea of the day **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897 "2009-03-26T18:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2020
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40383 "2019-02-13T15:56:58Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Just those 3 things? Did it say _where_ he was wearing the hat? > [@CaptMurdock](#): > > “What would you do if your kids were gay?” > > " **BUILD A BRIDGE OUT OF THEM!!"** That is a possibly disturbing association. I recall reading a Cornbluth story that claimed that the Latin word for bridge was “pontifex”. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40384 "2019-02-13T16:08:18Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > …That is a possibly disturbing association. I recall reading a Cornbluth story that claimed that the Latin word for bridge was “pontifex”. That’s why the Pope is called Pontiff, because he is thought of as a bridge between God and the Church. I’m missing the disturbing part. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40385 "2019-02-13T16:27:20Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Did it say _where_ he was wearing the hat? > > That is a possibly disturbing association. I recall reading a Cornbluth story that claimed that the Latin word for bridge was “pontifex”. “_Claimed_?” Pretty sure “pointed out” is a more felicitous turn of phrase, seeing as how the Latin word for bridge _is_ "pontifex.’ ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40386 "2019-02-13T16:29:39Z")
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has filed House Resolution 110, requiring witnesses to use the phrase, “So help me God” when sworn in for any House proceeding. Apparently, Democrats have been omitting it when swearing in those appearing before committees. He already has 17 co-sponsors — all Republicans. > **[Nonreligious Questions](https://www.patheos.com/nonreligious-questions/)** > > Whether you’ve been turned off by religion in the past or have a question about one of the world’s religions, check out what Patheos has to offer. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40387 "2019-02-13T16:34:40Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has filed House Resolution 110, requiring witnesses to use the phrase, “So help me God” when sworn in for any House proceeding. Apparently, Democrats have been omitting it when swearing in those appearing before committees. He already has 17 co-sponsors — all Republicans. > > [More Voices | Patheos](https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/02/12/house-republican-files-bill-requiring-witnesses-to-say-so-help-me-god-in-oath/) Mike Pence must be happy about that. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40388 "2019-02-13T16:36:44Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has filed House Resolution 110, requiring witnesses to use the phrase, “So help me God” when sworn in for any House proceeding. Apparently, Democrats have been omitting it when swearing in those appearing before committees. He already has 17 co-sponsors — all Republicans. > > [More Voices | Patheos](https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/02/12/house-republican-files-bill-requiring-witnesses-to-say-so-help-me-god-in-oath/) Seeing as how he had an opportunity to actually get this rule passed during his first term, I’d say he’s got a really piss-poor sense of timing. Either that, or it’s not really that important to him, except as a bloody shirt he can wave around to prove that Demo[n]crats are all godless atheists, when it doesn’t pass. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40389 "2019-02-13T16:57:39Z")
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all … But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ “ — Matthew 5:33–37 Based on this passage, a number of Christians refuse to make oaths that reference God. As you might expect, this passage is subject to imaginative interpretations that suggest otherwise. I don’t recall if there is any particular doctrinal division (Like, say, Methodists compared to Lutherans) on the issue. Its kinda like Presbyterians who don’t know what a “presbyter” is. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40390 "2019-02-13T17:26:07Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > That’s why the Pope is called Pontiff, because he is thought of as a bridge between God and the Church. > > I’m missing the disturbing part. I guess I am just easily disturbed. Like dust or something. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40391 "2019-02-13T17:53:47Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Did it say _where_ he was wearing the hat? > > That is a possibly disturbing association. I recall reading a Cornbluth story that claimed that the Latin word for bridge was “pontifex”. Actually, “pons” is latin for bridge. “Pontifex” is latin for “bridge builder” The Pope is “Pontifex Maximus”, the Big Bridge Builder. But you wouldn’t call the Pope “Pontiff” because he WAS the Bridge between God and Man. You’d want to call him “Pons” if he was. It might make sense to call him The Bridge Builder between God and Man, but the origin of the term (which was an existing religious office in pre-Christian Rome, which was adopted by the Christians) is complex and controversial. See the discussion at [Pontifex maximus - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontifex_maximus) This _Pedagogical Minute_ brought to you by CalMeacham. Now back to our show. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40392 "2019-02-13T18:02:09Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Did it say _where_ he was wearing the hat? > > That is a possibly disturbing association. I recall reading a Cornbluth story that claimed that the Latin word for bridge was “pontifex”. Do you mean “Kornbluth”? Actually, here’s the quote from C. M. Kornbluth’s story “Shark Ship” “The captain looked horrified. “Yes, you! Salter, the Builder of the Bridge; Tommy, do you know an old word for ‘bridge-builder’? Pontifex.”” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40393 "2019-02-13T18:11:50Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Do you mean “Kornbluth”? > > Actually, here’s the quote from C. M. Kornbluth’s story “Shark Ship” > > “The captain looked horrified. “Yes, you! Salter, the Builder of the Bridge; Tommy, do you know an old word for ‘bridge-builder’? Pontifex.”” Yes, that was the story. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40394 "2019-02-13T18:46:46Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all … But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ “ > > — Matthew 5:33–37 > > Based on this passage, a number of Christians refuse to make oaths that reference God. As you might expect, this passage is subject to imaginative interpretations that suggest otherwise. I don’t recall if there is any particular doctrinal division (Like, say, Methodists compared to Lutherans) on the issue. Its kinda like Presbyterians who don’t know what a “presbyter” is. Quakers don’t swear oaths. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > “_Claimed_?” Pretty sure “pointed out” is a more felicitous turn of phrase, seeing as how the Latin word for bridge _is_ "pontifex.’ Oh dear, all this time, I’ve been pronouncing it “idgebray”. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40395 "2019-02-13T19:23:59Z")
Duncan Hunter complains on Fox News that American soldiers aren’t allowed to commit war crimes. [Rep. Duncan Hunter Defends Alleged War Criminals on Fox News](https://splinternews.com/republican-complains-to-fox-news-that-our-troops-dont-e-1832588434)? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40396 "2019-02-13T19:35:15Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all … But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ “ > > — Matthew 5:33–37 > > Based on this passage, a number of Christians refuse to make oaths that reference God. As you might expect, this passage is subject to imaginative interpretations that suggest otherwise. I don’t recall if there is any particular doctrinal division (Like, say, Methodists compared to Lutherans) on the issue. Its kinda like Presbyterians who don’t know what a “presbyter” is. That’s why I don’t swear oaths. I’ve been a witness in courts-martial and affirmed my testimony. I also affirmed my oath of enlistment/re-enlistment. Also, I think “swearing ‘so help me God’” is just plain silly. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40397 "2019-02-13T20:07:16Z")
Interesting. How does he propose forcing people to do that? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40398 "2019-02-13T20:54:17Z")
You have to stand there until you say it. لا إله إلا الله ، ومحمد رسوله ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40399 "2019-02-13T21:16:33Z")
I built that bridge across the Tiber with my own two hands, and do they call me Peter the Pontifex? No! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40400 "2019-02-13T22:23:50Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Oh dear, all this time, I’ve been pronouncing it “idgebray”. [chortle] [applause] ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40401 "2019-02-13T22:27:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Interesting. How does he propose forcing people to do that? I suppose he’ll have to start by repealing Article VI of the Constitution. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2019, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897/40402 "2019-02-14T01:25:17Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I suppose he’ll have to start by repealing Article VI of the Constitution. Yes, and the presence of the “oath or affirmation” language in that Article is, of course, due to the efforts of Quakers among the framers. As Maus Magill posted: > [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Quakers don’t swear oaths. The Matthew 5 verse quoted earlier is the root of this aspect of the Quaker faith. This carried over into American legal life generally, as seen at this site for notaries public: > [@](#): > > While both oaths and affirmations are notarial acts that compel a person to tell the truth, an oath is a solemn, spoken pledge to God or a Supreme Being, while an affirmation is a spoken pledge made on the signer’s personal honor with no reference to a higher power. Either is considered acceptable, and the choice is left to the signer. > **[A Notary's guide to oaths and affirmations](https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2015/05/your-guide-notary-oaths-affirmations)** > > Administering an oath or affirmation is an important role of a Notary. Understand when and how to perform both types of declarations using the NNA’s guide. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2019) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day/490897.md?page=2021)