By tradition, Presidents have always put their hand on the Bible (KJV, if I’m not mistaken) to be sworn in. How would that change if a non-Christian was voted in? Perhaps not even Lieberman. How about a Muslim or Buddhist, for whom the Bible would have no significance? I suggest the Constitution, myself.
Isn’t the VP sworn in also? I’m sure Lieberman and other observant, Jewish politicans have had to take their share of oaths so I would imagine this question has already been addressed in some fashion.
I would think, while swearing to carry out duties faithfully, that the bible would simply not be presented as a rest for the hand, which is apparently primarily what our current Chief Executive took it for.
There was a Straight Dope column on how courts swear in atheists. There was also a good deal of follow-up (which does not, however, appear to be on-line) on oaths for adherents of various religions. I presume that similar procedures would be followed if a Jew, Muslim, Wiccan, secular humanist, etc. were elected to the presidency.
There have already been non-Christian presidents (depending on your definition of “Christian”.) Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Taft all disputed the idea of the Trinity and questioned the divinity of Christ (though they all did believe in God). Madison’s and Lincoln’s beliefs are less clear, but they probably could not be considered Christians. According to one site I found, Washington swore the oath of office on a “Masonic Bible”, whatever that is. Taft also swore on a bible.
So far as I can tell, there is no requirement that the oath be taken on a bible. The constitution has this to say
Most presidents add “So help me God,” but I do not believe this is required.
While the oath does have some implied moral and religious imperatives, its only force in this world is to get somebody charged with perjury or to impeach someone.
here’s some discussion on oaths and affirmations by Christians and non-Christians: Swearing Atheists
As for the form used for swearing in POTUS and Veeps, as bibliophage points out, Article II of the U.S. Constitution gives the text of the oath for the President. I would think that fancy touches like a Bible, a Torah, or other ceremonial aspects of the oath would have to be left to the person taking the oath. In fact, I would think it would be unconstitutional to require either one to take an oath on the Bible, in light of Article VI of the US Constituion, which reads (in part):
“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.”
Well, since we have had two Quaker presidents, I would assume this has been covered by the ‘powers that be’ since Quakers are forbidden to swear to anything - they may, however, affirm thier oaths.
Well, I know that Nixon used the Milhous family bible during his inauguration, but I don’t know if he actually swore on it. I also found this
It is my understanding (from the History Channel, so take it for what it’s worth) that Lincoln was vehemently anti-Christ. He supposedly passed out tracts denying the divinity of Christ until his party asked him stop for fear of alienating voters. But I guess that’s neither here nor there.
Concerning President Pierce’s affirmation without a Bible, I read recently that shortly before his inaugeration, he and Mrs Pierce were in a train accident with their young son, Benny. Mr. and Mrs. P survived, but Benny was killed before their eyes. This triggered weeks of grief and Calvinistic self-doubt about whether they were being punished for not being in a state of grace, which in turn lead him to affirm rather than to swear. (Source: Paul Boller, Presidential Anecdotes.)
Very interesting, jti. Thanks for the information and blasting some ignorance I never knew I had.
You’re welcome - interesting thread you started.
Interesting thread indeed, but for:
Or as a theatrical prop (cf. Ronnie Raygun).
Two data points on this:
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I can’t for the life of me recall which one, but one of the Presidents swore the oath of office with his hand on a copy of the Constitution instead of a Bible.
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Senators, Representatives, state legislators, and judges also have to swear or affirm to uphold the Constitution. (Art. V, Clause 3.) Surely there has been a non-Christian judge, member of Congress, or state legislator SOMEWHERE along the line. Where did they put their hand during the oath or affirmation?
Generally, when a politician is sworn in they provide their own “swearing prop”, whether that be a Bible, Torah, Constitution, or whatever. The item then becomes a family heirloom or ends up in a museum. The “prop” has no bearing on the oath of office nor is there a requirement that the elected swear on anything at all. It’s simply become a tradition.