Oh the times they are a changin'

[Hagoth]

What do you think of Krysten Sinema's swearing in?

Exmo Lesbian BYU graduate Krysten Sinema was sworn into congress by Mike Pence with her hand on a law book that contains the constitutions of the United States and Arizona, rather than the Bible. I wonder what a) Mike Pence and b) Mitt Romney were thinking?

Come to think of it, it really does make a lot more sense to swear on the constitution of the country your serving than to swear on an ancient middle eastern law book. For one thing, one of those two documents outlaws slavery while the other gives instruction for properly beating your slaves.

[Corsair]

I rather liked Sinema's choice for her book during her swearing in. It's a hopeful sign that she will be interested in the rule of law, not just the whims of one side of her constituency.

I will have to bring this up with my conservative in-laws, primarily for their reaction which I will find humorous. I live in Arizona and I saw the senatorial race between an interesting Democrat and a largely uninspiring Republican (Marth McSally). Furthering the humor is that while Sinema is openly opposed to President Trump, McSally was a Never-Trumper. The Trump voters in Arizona really didn't have a clear choice if they like President Trump's agenda. This is simply an observation, not a complaint.

[crossmyheart]

Come to think of it, it really does make a lot more sense to swear on the constitution of the country your serving than to swear on an ancient middle eastern law book. For one thing, one of those two documents outlaws slavery while the other gives instruction for properly beating your slaves.

I can't help but think about all those states passing laws banning Shari'a Law- and then using the Bible for oaths to uphold the constitution- with little thought to the similarities with Mosaic law.



I am hoping to see success for Sinema- she seems articulate and carries herself well.

[RubinHighlander]

Times are changing, but the law hasn't. It's a huge fallacy across the Christian world that the Christian god founded and rules everything our federal and state governments do. I used to think that way. According to WikiP, Theodore Roosevelt did not use a Bible when taking the oath in 1901. Both John Quincy Adams and Franklin Pierce swore on a book of law, with the intention that they were swearing on the constitution. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in on a Roman Catholic missal on Air Force One.

According to Constitution: Article VI, Clause 3, our elected officials are bound only “by oath or affirmation” to support the Constitution; "...no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” So don't help me God!

[alas]

And speaking of Shari’a law, two members of our new Congress were sworn in on a Koran. I believe that is a first and second.

[deacon blues]

I believe agnostics and atheists get a raw deal in the USA. I'm all over the spectrum in religion and politics, but I'd rather vote for Michael Shermer than Pat Robertson.

[Mad Jax]

I believe agnostics and atheists get a raw deal in the USA. I'm all over the spectrum in religion and politics, but I'd rather vote for Michael Shermer than Pat Robertson.

That may be getting better due to a cultural shift, but there's still a lot of momentum from the days when it was political suicide to be an atheist. Honestly I can never remember needing somebody to be religious to get my vote, so I'm not sure what the turn off is for most voters.

[crazyhamster]

Come to think of it, it really does make a lot more sense to swear on the constitution of the country your serving than to swear on an ancient middle eastern law book. For one thing, one of those two documents outlaws slavery while the other gives instruction for properly beating your slaves.

I can't help but think about all those states passing laws banning Shari'a Law- and then using the Bible for oaths to uphold the constitution- with little thought to the similarities with Mosaic law.



I am hoping to see success for Sinema- she seems articulate and carries herself well.

Exactly. The hypocrisy makes reason stare.

[misterfake371]

I wish Sinema would have sworn in on the Bible. I'm a Christian conservative Republican, in that order, just like Mike Pence.

I'm also a Bob Dylan fan, so I clicked on the the title of this thread.

Swearing in on the Bible is tradition in this country, a good tradition, and I think it's important to keep good traditions going.

[Hagoth]

Why do they have to swear on anything? Why can't they just raise a hand and swear by their own integrity? Heaven knows plenty of liars and scoundrels have sworn on the Bible.