So it's not the book but the belief that counts? I wonder what I'd have to swear on. Maybe a dictionary.

John Quincy Adams swore on a law book, and another president (can't remember who) swore in on, I believe, the Constitution.

I have people "affirm"

Oh, yeah. I think it's "affirm" not "avow." Or possibly both. Either way, people being sworn into office actually get an option that requires no diety or holy book.

I just think nobody holding national office has used that yet.

For some reason, this swearing in business is making me think of my French teacher in high school, who made us write-- literally-- "I do hereby affirm..." on our tests and than sign our name. I could never figure out WHAT we were affirming until at some point I saw a longer version printed out (perhaps on a Regents exam or in college).

Also, I just had my photo taken for work. And I have 42 chins. And my right eye completely shits when I smile. Now, I had about 24 chins even when I was a size 6, so I am used to it, but gee whiz that is a lot of chin!

And my right eye completely shits when I smile.

I am now very afeared of Sophia's right eye.

Why do you hate America?

Hey, I hate America!!! Those stinky cheese-eating surrender monkeys!!!!

Wait, hold on...

I have people "affirm" instead of opening that can of worms.

people being sworn into office actually get an option that requires no diety or holy book.

Yup. Same with the enlistment/reenlistment oath. You have the choice to swear or affirm, no books of any kind needed. It's basically a matter of honor. Something that, it appears, had more meaning 200 years ago than it does today.

I just had my photo taken for work.

In my experience this never turns out well.

I have 42 chins. And my right eye completely shits when I smile.

I think the shit thing is definitely worse than the number of chins.

Happy birthday, shrift!

I think that the point could be made by the bigots that if you can't swear in on the Bible, you have no reason swearing in at all. Also because it's a heathen book that holds no magical power to bind you to the truth.

And my right eye completely shits when I smile.

Duck! Sophia's gonna wink!

I think that the point could be made by the bigots that if you can't swear in on the Bible, you have no reason swearing in at all.

Yep! If you're not Christian, you have no honor at all, so any oath you make is meaningless, no matter what. Plus if you're actually Muslim, well you're by definition a terrorist, right?

Also because it's a heathen book that holds no magical power to bind you to the truth.

One of the many many many many reasons I'm glad I'm an athiest. I do not need threat of permanent punishment in the afterlife to force me to keep my word. I keep my word because it's a good thing to do, and engenders trust in those I keep my word to -- feedback and reward in this life, thankyouverymuch.