By Nigel Boys
Although new members of Congress oftentimes use the Bible to affirm their support and defense of the U.S. Constitution while being sworn into their ceremonial oath of office, a group of atheists are dissuading them to do so this year.
According to the Secular Coalition of America, while new members of Congress are not required to swear or affirm on the Word of God and are free to use whatever they want for the ceremony, they often choose to follow tradition by picking up the Bible. But this year, the coalition seeks to remind members of Congress that they have been elected to defend the Constitution, not defend some religious text or other symbol of Christianity.
The atheist organization would prefer if new members of Congress swore their oath on the Constitution and have been lobbying their supporters to inform members of Congress their duty in this matter.
It is not known at this time whether any members of Congress have taken note to these demands and forfeited the Bible for the Constitution.
This is not the first time that such a request has surfaced. Just before President Barack Obama was sworn into office in 2012, the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) asked that he would omit the phrase “so help me God,” when he recited his oath.
Andrew Seidel, attorney for the FFRF, said he believes that when declaring support for the country and the foundation on which it stands, people should place their hand on the Constitution and not the Bible, but others believe that the United States’ first president paved the way.
Although it is disputed as to whether or not George Washington used the phrase “so help me God” when he was sworn into office, he made references to God during his presidential address.
“It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States,” Washington said within his oath.
In his address, he mentioned his homage to the “Great Author” and the “Invisible Hand” which guides the people of this nation.
While the entirety of Congress takes their official oath together on the House floor without any religious material, many have chosen to hold a private additional ceremony recreating them being sworn into office for the benefit of photographers and their public image.
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