In case you were wondering, newly-elected Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), the sole religiously “unaffiliated” member of Congress (but, whatever you do, don’t call her an atheist), was recently sworn in by Speaker of the House John Boehner.
So what is that she’s swearing on? Is it a Bible?
I asked her staff and they told me it was a copy of the U.S. Constitution.
Let me count the ways that I LOVE this!
First we had Hindu Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard sworn in using the Bhagavad-Gita, and now we have this. This is a great day for those who are tired of the Christo-fascists trying to hijack our country.
And the best part? The best part is, what they can they say against her choice of using the Constitution?
Not a damn thing!
In fact I think that EVERY new Senator and House member should be sworn in using the US Constitution. After all they were not elected to defend the Ten Commandments, they were elected to defend the Constitution.
And it is about damn time they were reminded of that fact!
This literally brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that they're not all required to swear their oath ONLY on the Constitution.
ReplyDeleteDo any of them swear on Grimm's Fairy Tales????
Yes, the few GOPers who don't swear on the Grover Norquist BOOK of Obstruction use Grimm. I'm told they are very fond of The Little Match Girl because she dies of starvation and cold.
DeleteThe sad part is, what you said Sally in MI is the truth. If it were up to the R's of today, we would all be fighting for our space under the bridge.
DeleteN.B. The Little Match Girl isn't a Grimm tale. It's by Hans Christian Andersen. Point taken, however.
DeleteActually they are required to swear only support and defend the U.S. Constitution. "The first Congress developed this requirement into a simple, 14-word oath:
Delete"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States."
The current oath was enacted in 1884:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
(about.com)
The person(s) being sworn in stands with their right hand raised and repeats the words of the Oath as spoken by the person saying them. There is nothing being held or touched by his other hand. The photos that show the member of Congress with Biden or Boehner are taken as a memento of the occasion and have no meaning except a personal one for the people involved. They can also have their family and their friends in it as well
.
Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThis is progress!
ReplyDeleteThis how that oath should be administered...
but that would be too easy, would it not?
It also would drive home the fact that there is that little constitutional requirement of separation of church and state, would it not?
May this be contagious!
Just a few other observations -- First, she is from Arizona! How amazing is that? Second, Speaker Boehner had to administer both of these. Wonder what he thought and if he made any attempt to push the bible on them?
ReplyDeleteSorry to be a killjoy, but I'm not sure this is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteToo many rightwingnuts are trying to make the Constitution into some sort of infallible, not open to interpretation, direct word of a deity holy text - this seems to reinforce that idea.
Anything can be fetishized, but note that the Constitution includes both a mechanism for amendment (Article V) and a mechanism for interpretation (Article III). So it is not a document that caters to the close-minded.
DeleteLet's hope this is just the beginning of some wonderful changes.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why Boehner would attempt to push the bible on them since he is no Christian as far as I can see!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. What a wonderful congressperson this woman will be. May there be many more to follow.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more.
ReplyDeleteI like this idea, They could pick thier own book to swear on, pointing out how silly this practice is.
ReplyDeleteBoehner could swear on "The Rum Diaries"
Cantor could swear on "An Asshole's Guide to Getting Ahead"
Let's hear what you think some other members of Congress should swear on!
(I would swear on "The Kama Sutra")
Mad Magazine seems an appropriate choice for a large majority of lawmakers today.
DeleteIf I were testifying in a court of law could I insist on swearing on the U.S. Constitution?? My husband asked, if your Muslim are you allowed to swear on a Quran??
ReplyDeleteI am not totally certain of this, but I believe the oath now simply asks: Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you?" No bible or book, just a hand in the air.
DeleteBut there have been cases (when the bible was normal) when testifiers refused to swear on the Bible due to their own religion. No charges could be brought against them.
Okay just googled whether you have to swear on the bible in court and Ask.com said no you don't have to!! YAY!
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, Gryphen. What a great day!!
ReplyDeleteGod, I love this!!!!! (And I am a godless heathen!)
ReplyDeleteBeing sworn in on a copy of the Constitution?
ReplyDeleteDamn, I must have a little small-govt fetish in me, because I swear my little patriot is now standing at attention.
Atten-HUT!!!
I love that and totally agree.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, aren't they swearing to uphold the Constitution?
I think that rates ten "bazinga's" on Dr. Sheldon's Scale of Awesomeness!!!!
ReplyDeleteShe's smart AND beautiful! I'd vote for her for president.
ReplyDelete