Is it legal because the government says so?

[Sparko]

No the "ACTUAL point", which you've missed, is that 'swearing' in US Law does not have to be on a bible...which undercuts your argument that the US is a Christian nation, with all that implies.

I never said it HAD to be on a bible, nor did I say the USA was a Christian Nation. You have this really bad habit of assuming your opponents argument instead of listening to what they are actually saying. I am saying that there is nothing in the first amendment that stops religion from influencing or being a part of the federal government. The fact that president can swear in on a bible and put God as their utmost authority under which they operate proves that point. The fact that nearly every President has done so underlines that point.

ALL citizens, from the president down, are entitled to swear on the text appropriate to their religion or beliefs, whatever that may be. And for atheists they are entitled to swear and affirm, on their own cognisance. All of which is appropriate in a secular state like the US, where there's a "wall of separation between Church And State". .

if there is a wall between church and state then the leader of the government would not be allowed to swear an oath of office to his religion. derp.

[Tassman]

I never said it HAD to be on a bible, nor did I say the USA was a Christian Nation.

You said in #61

if there is a wall between church and state then the leader of the government would not be allowed to swear an oath of office to his religion.

[Sparko]

You said in #61

I get it. This is your "nanananana I can't hear you" response. You will just keep ignoring my point and substituting your own straw man.

200_s.gif

[Tassman]

I get it. This is your "nanananana I can't hear you" response. You will just keep ignoring my point and substituting your own straw man.

You have no point. The First Amendment does not allow the establishment of religion in the US and nor does it regard the existing majority religion in the US as the de facto established religion. Hence Jefferson's "Wall of Separation between Church and State".

[Sparko]

You have no point. The First Amendment does not allow the establishment of religion in the US and nor does it regard the existing majority religion in the US as the de facto established religion. Hence Jefferson's "Wall of Separation between Church and State".

rinse. repeat.

There is no wall. And it isn't even the STATE. It is "CONGRESS"

all it says is that CONGRESS shall make no laws establishing a religion or preventing the free exercise of religion (and freedom of the press and speech)

Is there a wall between Free Speech and State? Is the government not allowed to have free speech? It is in the same amendment and sentence.

I eagerly (not) await your next repeat.