George Washington took his 1st Oath of Office for President in 1789 Photo Credit: ScottishRite.org
Issue #235 Friday Funday January 27, 2023
Happy Friday! The only thing “Fun” about today’s article is the fun of learning what something really means instead of what some people try to tell you it means.
Many people claim that America is a “Christian nation.” Uh, no. America is a nation where you are free to practice Christianity or any other religion or free to not practice any religion at all without prosecution from the government.
It says it right there in the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Unfortunately, there are some people in the United States, including some current members of Congress, who say out loud that only Christians who take their oath of office on a Bible should be able to hold office in America.
Wrong again.
According to the Constitution of the United States, Article VI, Section 3 - “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
There are several Jewish members of Congress and in other offices or appointments, including the Supreme Court and governorships, and so on, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and new Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
There are also former and current Muslims in Congress.
Detroit native Keith Ellison, the current Attorney General of Minnesota, was the first Muslim to be sworn into office in the United States, using a Quran from Thomas Jefferson's personal library when he was sworn into office for Congress. In 2019, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota was also sworn into office with a Quran from her grandfather's personal collection.
There are three Muslims currently serving in the United States Congress: Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Representative André Carson (D-Ind.).
As a matter of fact, you do not have to swear on a bible or any other religious text when taking an oath for any office or even before testifying in court.
There is a difference between long-standing tradition and Constitutional legality.
The article continues below.
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George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States of America on April 30, 1789. He went to Federal Hall on Wall Street and was joined by John Adams, his Vice President, Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chancellor Robert Livingston, the highest-ranking judicial officer of New York, and Generals Frederick William von Steuben, “Light Horse Harry” Lee, Henry Knox, and Arthur St. Clair. Except for John Adams, all were members of the Free Masons. Revolutionary War General Fredrick Wilhelm von Steuben was a Prussian immigrant who was gay.
Chancellor Livingston administered the oath, and George Washington added the words “So help me God!” and kissed the Bible when he finished.
That’s where the tradition of swearing on the Bible and saying “So help me God” started. But neither of those actions is constitutionally required.
So this is the “fun” part—learning the actual way the Constitution dictates how oaths should be completed. It doesn’t matter what religion (or none) you follow, and putting your hand on the Bible and saying “so help me God” is not required.
According to the Constitution of the United States, Article II, Section 1 - “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.”
Similar wording is used for oaths of office for any elected or appointed government position. The most important part is: “…will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
People who actively work to do things against the Constitution are the ones who are not living up to the oath they took.
The Difference Between Swearing and Affirming When Taking an Oath for an Office
When a person is taking an oath for office, they have the option of either swearing or affirming. Swearing on a religious book such as the Bible is what most people associate with taking an oath, however it is not the only option available. Knowing the difference between swearing and affirming can help you determine which to choose in this important situation.
Swearing involves making a solemn promise on behalf of a deity while affirming simply means dedicating oneself to telling the truth without any divine power involved. People may opt to swear if they are closely tied to their faith and want to use that connection when taking their oath. Affirmation may be chosen by those who don't wish to bring religion into their oath-taking ceremony or those who do not identify with any single faith tradition.
Both options are legally recognized and provide similar protection against perjury if later needed in court.
Do you know the difference between swearing and affirming? Let us know in the comments or start a dialogue in the W.A.S. Chat Forum for paid subscribers on the W.A.S. app.
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