What book do Jewish people use to take oath of office?

Question

There is a lot of furror over Keith Ellison's decision to use the Koran when he takes his oath of office. However, we have Jewish members of Congress... what do they use to swear their oath? When people testify in court do they always use a Bible? I'm sure Muslims have objected to that practice? Why is it more newsworthy that he's using it to take his oath in Congress? Wouldn't it be hypocritical of him to swear on a Bible? The book does not have the same meaning for him. Swearing on the Koran seems to imply that he takes the oath seriously, doesn't it?

Answer 1

The Quaran does not declare death to America and it does not give permission to lie to non-arab people. Those statements are either complete lies or just ignorance by the people giving them.

I don't actually have an answer to your question. I'm curious to know the answer as well. But at least I can keep those wrong statements from being said unchallenged.

Answer 2

The bible and other books are not used to swear in new member to congress, they gather on the House floor, raise their right hands and follow as the speaker leads them through the oath.



Article VI of the U.S. Constitution

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.



The reason bibles are not used is made clear. The Constitution specifically prohibits any religious test for members of Congress. Requiring someone to put their hand on a Bible would seem to fill the "religious test" bill quite well.

Answer 3

Congressional Oath Of Office

Answer 4

I do not know about oaths of office, but in court Jews swear on the bible just like Christians. The old testament is our bible, but the act of swearing -in is symbolic. Most people understand when undertaking such an oath that placing your hand on the book indicates a willingness to give only truthful information, and the seriousness of that promise is conveyed by the symbolic presence of a higher power - via the bible.
But I think the bottom line is: If you're gonna lie, you're gonna lie. Bible or not.

Answer 5

Jews also read the bible, though they limit themselves to the Old Testament, not the New. So, Jewish people when taking the oath of office generally would swear upon the Old Testament.

Answer 6

As for government officials of Jewish faith, historically they swear an oath to the Bible which also contains the Pentateuch - the first five books of the Old Testament.

However, as for all the hoopla regarding Ellison...

Do you really want your own government officials swearing an oath to a book that declares DEATH to America?!

It's not rocket science.

In response to Hobbes84k ignorance, perhaps these verses taken from the Koran will help shed some light:

The Koran calls on Muslims not to befriend Jews or Christians? (Surah 9:30)

The Koran imposes "Jizya" (tribute tax) on Christians and Jews that will be collected only from them and not from Muslims? (Surah 9:29)

"If any one desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him, and in the hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost." (Surah 3:85)

Resisting Islam: punished by death, crucifixion or the cutting off of the hands and feet (Surah 5:33)

Mohammed says that a Muslim may not be killed if he kills a non- Muslim. " No Muslim should be killed for killing a kafir (infidel non- Muslim) ."Al Bukhari Vol. 9:50

Is this the book you really want our American government officials swearing an oath to?

Answer 7

In the courts, people swear upon their own holy book, whatever that might be. Quite rightly.

The Quran is no more nor less bloodthirsty than the Christian Bible (which endorses slavery, praises incest, encourages murder, celebrates racism, etc.).

What the Constitution specifically states is that there be NO RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENTS OF ANY KIND to hold public office and that Congress is forbidden to interfere with THE FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION. That is the law. I would humbly suggest obeying it might be a good idea.

Answer 8

This is a pretty much outdated practice, I don't know why anyone would care about swearing to something on a Holy Book if two hours later they are having lunch with the men who lied, cheated and stole to get him there in the first place.
Swearing ain't doing, and only a fool thinks it means more than window dressing.
Makes a great picture on the wall, but thats about it.

Answer 9

Everyone in the US has always sworn on the Bible whatever their faith, because they are swearing, whether as an elected official or witness sworn to tell the truth, to do their honest upmost to uphold our laws, that are based on the moral code from THAT book. It does not mean they have to believe what is in that book, or accept it, but they MUST abide by our laws that originated from the code of civility in the Bible. The desire of substituting it with the Qu-ran represents a symbolic gesture to muslims here and around the world that our USA laws will be replaced by the Qu-ran's sharia law. you better research the difference before taking sides. It is not "just a book" or "just a faith", these books represent two different moral codes/belief systems on how one should react to those around them. the laws that evolve from them need to be considered, whatever you claim to believe or not, these are the rules by which humans will live, suffer or prosper, and die. It does matter if our government starts bending over backwards to one religion, because "seperation of church" and state was menat to prevent a secular nation or civil war over religion, which is just what the Qu-ran is a manual for using to conquer the world, if you read it for yourself instead of taking someone else's word for what it says. Do your homework. There is a great rift between cultures opening up beneath America's feet that will engulf all of us if we aren't careful.

Answer 10

they probably use the torah. as for the bible being the book upon which the oath of office is taken, there is NO such requirement to do so. it is a tradition, not a requirement. the individual may even choose to NOT swear, but AFFIRM his oath in court or for office if he/she refuses to swear as some do.

Answer 11

Asking someone to take an oath on a bible presupposes that they believe in what is written in the bible. To ask someone to swear on a book from another religion is utterly asinine - they might as well be swearing on Dan Brown's latest novel.