January 4, 2010
2104 Views
When no Bible was available a New York state judge had to take his oath of office on a different book, a dictionary.
The situation arose at the swearing-in of Donald A. Williams at Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, N.Y. Most officials bring their own family Bible for the ceremony, Williams did not and it seems that the Court was unable to provide him with one. Instead, he opted to use a dictionary, for the ceremony.
According to UPI, Williams later explained that he did not mind using the dictionary because the “swearing-in” is purely ceremonial. The Bible is used to demonstrate the “binding nature of the promise” and to add solemnity to the event.
[ad#3_social_compact]
Categories
News
The real question is: Was it Webster’s or OED?
The real question is: Was it Webster’s or OED?
Note that _requiring_ a Bible would be unconstitutional. The last sentence of Article VI (_before_ the First Amendment) says “…no religious test shall ever be requried as a condition to any office or public trust under the United States.” The Constitution uses the phrase “oath or affirmation” in every reference to an oath of office. Contrary to what the Religious Reich would have us believe, there were more than a few atheists and agnostics among the Founders.
Note that _requiring_ a Bible would be unconstitutional. The last sentence of Article VI (_before_ the First Amendment) says “…no religious test shall ever be requried as a condition to any office or public trust under the United States.” The Constitution uses the phrase “oath or affirmation” in every reference to an oath of office. Contrary to what the Religious Reich would have us believe, there were more than a few atheists and agnostics among the Founders.