2006-12-01 09:10:47 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No it does not. That is just traditional and can be requested not to be used.
2006-12-01 09:14:28 · answer #1 · answered by tabithap 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope! Looked this one up yesterday for a similar question in the encyclopedia and it doesn't. It specifies the oath to be said, but it doesn't state that a Bible has to be used to do the swearing in.
I need to find the article again, but I read not that long ago that using a Bible was something they did as a last minute decision when Washington was sworn in. He wanted to swear the oath, and the only thing they had on hand sacred enough was a Bible. Same for the words "so help me God". That's not in the oath in the Constitution, but was ad-libbed by Washington. It was his choice to say that after he was sworn in and it stuck.
Neither using the Bible, nor saying "so help me God" are required by the Constitution in terms of swearing an oath when taking office.
2006-12-03 16:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by Ophelia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Constitution contains an oath of office only for the president. For other officials, including members of Congress, that document specifies only that they "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this constitution." In 1789, the First Congress reworked this requirement into a simple fourteen-word oath: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States."
There is no specification for "sweraing on the bible" nor is the bible mentioned anywhere in the US Constitution.
2006-12-01 17:23:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not a constitutional requirement. In fact, since we are a secular state, we should not use any religious book for this. I'm glad that a Muslim has been elected, and has highlighted the problem.
I hope they stop using the Bible in these ceremonies.
2006-12-01 17:22:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope but it has been used traditionally because that was the religion the majority of the people were in the old days when the tradition started
2006-12-01 17:25:40 · answer #5 · answered by topgunpilot22 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It's tradition. A congresman this year is having his on the Koran as he is Islamic. I imagine you could have it on a Victoria's Secret catalogue if you wanted to.
2006-12-01 17:15:55 · answer #6 · answered by iwasnotanazipolka 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Idon't believe it does, up till now it wasn't an issue. I think it should be specified, though.
2006-12-01 17:14:38 · answer #7 · answered by wanda3s48 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, but some courts use it for some reason.
2006-12-01 17:17:21 · answer #8 · answered by Tyler P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋