I don't get why there's such a big deal. Shouldn't politicians have to follow the laws of the country? If the law says that Christianity is our religion, shouldn't they have to swear in on the Bible?
2007-01-06 08:29:56 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I must be confused then.
If Christianity isn't the State religion, why does our President always talk about what God wants?
Why was there a push for the Christian creation story to be taught in our schools?
Why is Gay marriage still prohibited on the basis of the Christian Bible?
If there really is freedom of religion, why is the Congressman who wanted to deport the guy who swore on the Qur'an still in office?
Nevermind. I think you are the ones that are confused. Just because it says there's freedom of religion on paper, doesn't mean there's freedom of religion in this country. Open your eyes.
2007-01-06 08:45:33 · update #1
If you live in the United States, there is no official state religion. It's customary, but not mandatory to take an oath with a hand on the Bible, but some Christian religions object to even that. (I think I'm right when I say it's the Amish and the Jehovah's Witnesses.) I think that way too much is made of "swearing an oath on a Bible." There are plenty of corrupt politicians who have taken such an oath, and broken it. It only means something if the person taking the oath feels duty bound by it.
2007-01-06 08:40:05 · answer #1 · answered by DavidNH 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No where in the laws of the United State or the Constitution is Christianity the made the state religion. The first amendment guarentees religious freedom with the line "Congress shall make no law with respect to the establishment of religion." Congress cannot make any religion a state religion under this part of the Constitution.
Swearing on the Bible is nothing more than tradition in Congress or the court. In fact every court in this country would allow to swear on the Quran if you so chose.
Wouldn't you rather have someone swear on the book of thier own personal faith rather than swear on a book which has no meaning to them?
2007-01-06 08:49:16 · answer #2 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the law does not say that christianity is our religion. if that was so, then that would break the first of amendment of the Bill of Rights, which states that we have freedom of religion. that is why we don't only have christian churches or have to read the Bible every time we have to go to school. If your talking about that guy that has to swear on the Quran and is in U.S. government, then there is nothing wrong about that.
2007-01-06 08:33:27 · answer #3 · answered by John 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I just cannot believe that every one of these people are wrong.
The Constitution of the United States clearly says in Article 7, Clause 2 "done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven" etc.
That clearly means that the framers of the Constitution intended the religious principles were to be based on Christianity, end of point.
What the framers meant by "Congress shall make no law respecting and establishment or religion" was you can be a Baptist, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, or any other, as long is it is a Christian doctrine. I can't believe how ignorant people really are.
2007-01-06 09:06:49 · answer #4 · answered by gyro-nut64 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The law does NOT say that Christianity is the official religion of the US. In fact, it specifically says that the government may not establish an official religion. That's why we have freedom of religion in this country!
2007-01-06 08:32:32 · answer #5 · answered by kittenpie 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
That is the First Ammendment to the Constitution, and it PROHIBITS a state religion.
Cite a law that makes Christianity our religion...
2007-01-06 08:34:27 · answer #6 · answered by Citicop 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm with you until the last point, about the congressman who objects to the other congressman swearing in on a Koran. He is entitled to remain in office because we have freedom of stupidity.
2007-01-06 09:59:51 · answer #7 · answered by hallam 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the usa constitution does not require one to swear on the bible.its only for the photo shoots and then its optional,you can swear on a law book for example.
2007-01-06 08:47:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are allowed to to take the oath on any book you want. any book also means a hustler magazine .
2007-01-06 08:39:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋