Quote:
Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan
True, but an atheist or a deist wouldn't necessarily see swearing on the bible as a conflict, especially 200 years ago.
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That's very true.
But what I was basically criticizing is the viewpoint that somehow America was "founded on Christian values." Anyone with even a basic understanding of U.S. history knows that it wasn't. But there are elements of the Christian right that in my opinion wish to re-create America in the image of their own theocratic fantasies. As Bush would say, "it's revisionist history!"
Swearing on the constitution is an interesting idea. After all, that is the binding document in question, isn't it? Maybe it is time to realize that having everyone swear on the same holy book isn't the wisest course.
Though I should also say that even though I'm not religious, I would consider an oath sworn on the Bible to be every bit as morally binding. But that's because of my own ethical values, not external religious ones that belong to somebody else.