General Discussion

SCantiGOP

(14,741 posts)

125. the oath as specified in the constitution

Tue Jan 22, 2013, 03:16 PM

Jan 2013

does not end with "so help me God." That is an add-on that has been included since Washington's first inauguration, but it is not a part of the oath.
I don't contend it is a violation of church and state. I think it is in bad taste to force your religion on a crowd that you know includes many people of other faiths as well as non-believers. And, to use the Bible to make an argument against the practice, this passage from Matthew 6:6 says the whole practice is hypocritical:

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men ... But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut thy door, pray to the Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

217 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

the whining here about religion being included in the inauguration [View all] cali Jan 2013 OP

...aaaaaaaand religious invocations have been involved in all 57 inaugurations. WilliamPitt Jan 2013 #1

Amazing how they've slipped that one past us... Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #54

chuckle... SoapBox Jan 2013 #104

Yeah... whathehell Jan 2013 #118

Christians aren't the only religious people in America... Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #122

No, in fact some of them are Jews and Muslims. whathehell Jan 2013 #138

Party Pooper....(nt) Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #148

And Hindus and Sikhs demwing Jan 2013 #187

aaaaaaaand religious invocations have been involved in all 57 inaugurations. AlbertCat Jan 2013 #57

No, it's not. The inauguration is not a government function - it's a very public kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #106

the oath as specified in the constitution SCantiGOP Jan 2013 #125

The oath giver (as someone who has taken and given many oaths over the years) MADem Jan 2013 #193

I was on a jury once as an alternate SCantiGOP Jan 2013 #197

I gave the oaths in a military environment, often to people getting promoted or re-enlisting. MADem Jan 2013 #200

Ah! The old "constitutional argument from someone who hasn't read the constittion" trick... cthulu2016 Jan 2013 #146

Actually, it is a government function. jeff47 Jan 2013 #162

Taking the Oath of Office isn't a government function? caseymoz Jan 2013 #167

It's not a "taxpayer funded" thing, either--it is mostly funded by DONORS. MADem Jan 2013 #195

...aaaaaaand slaves worked on all inaugurations until emancipation. jeff47 Jan 2013 #161

Invocations didn't start until 1937. Luminous Animal Jan 2013 #189

I agree. We all should lower our standards NoOneMan Jan 2013 #2

So being religious is a character flaw? Estevan Jan 2013 #6

Whoa. Thats certainly direct NoOneMan Jan 2013 #8

You did call it a character flaw... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #32

But the last time there was a real socialist Christian... NoOneMan Jan 2013 #39

Oh please..."we" didn't hang anyone. Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #45

Surely that alternative may of been preferable NoOneMan Jan 2013 #52

So you object to wasting time? Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #65

Wasting time is fine...my specialty NoOneMan Jan 2013 #73

But the training must take place when the 'subject' is very young... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #100

I used to agree, NoOneMan Jan 2013 #110

I'm not sure what you mean by that. Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #116

I don't need to change anyone's hearts NoOneMan Jan 2013 #132

So your contribution to this thread has been, what? demwing Jan 2013 #135

I don't believe I whined once NoOneMan Jan 2013 #139

more whining demwing Jan 2013 #141

Ditto NoOneMan Jan 2013 #142

now you're praying demwing Jan 2013 #155

Sorry bro, but your Atheist Age of Aquarius has not yet arrived... whathehell Jan 2013 #133

Yeah, we are still in the age of an invisible best friend impregnating a blessed virgin NoOneMan Jan 2013 #136

Oh, we're still in the age of an invisible best friend commanding Abraham to kill his own son whathehell Jan 2013 #145

Surely not as silly as a golden atheist age! NoOneMan Jan 2013 #147

More so. whathehell Jan 2013 #152

Thats a good thing to be NoOneMan Jan 2013 #154

It's not bad whathehell Jan 2013 #217

Jesus wasn't Christian, he was Jewish. eom dakota_democrat Jan 2013 #68

Its an old joke fyi NoOneMan Jan 2013 #70

Who is this "we" you are talking about? It's hard to hang an imaginary figure on anything. cleanhippie Jan 2013 #76

Civilization NoOneMan Jan 2013 #81

Whose words? I've no idea what you are talking about. cleanhippie Jan 2013 #86

I believe that he is billh58 Jan 2013 #158

My, aren't you superior? pnwmom Jan 2013 #143

I was offended by his delivering his speech in English. onehandle Jan 2013 #3

This message was self-deleted by its author onehandle Jan 2013 #12

Exactly. MineralMan Jan 2013 #4

Ignoring it enables it, and that we should never do Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #27

Nonsense. MineralMan Jan 2013 #29

Thank you. narnian60 Jan 2013 #83

As long as people do not try to force their beliefs on others I'm OK with it all. I saw RKP5637 Jan 2013 #115

I wonder whether the true purpose of those butthurt threads is to make atheists look petty Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #5

^^^This^^^ Surya Gayatri Jan 2013 #38

Intolerance and dogmatism, thy name is atheism. AlbertCat Jan 2013 #63

No demwing Jan 2013 #140

It's an official government party. jeff47 Jan 2013 #163

It's party, with government officals in attendence demwing Jan 2013 #177

They paid for the stage and other physical things jeff47 Jan 2013 #184

Those salaried employees would have been paid on that day if they went to a strip club or a polo MADem Jan 2013 #180

Actually, the bookeeping is done by the hour jeff47 Jan 2013 #186

The police, Secret Service, sanitation crews - they were working a govt event on an official holiday riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #198

The overtime is paid by the increase in tax revenue--the District usually makes money on these MADem Jan 2013 #199

The Office of Budget and Mgmt estimates 2009's inauguration cost taxpayers in excess of $50 million riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #201

That's "fake accounting," though. You're only reading one side of the ledger. MADem Jan 2013 #204

Fake? Many (most) of those people would have had a federal holiday off. riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #206

No, that's not the case. It does seem that way at first blush, but when you get down in the weeds, MADem Jan 2013 #210

"It's a party, not an official government function... Capt. Obvious Jan 2013 #169

OK, Captain Obvious, without the *prayer* demwing Jan 2013 #171

"undies bunched" Capt. Obvious Jan 2013 #176

Ha. I don't wear undies! demwing Jan 2013 #178

This is how Atheists go about converting people wrong. JaneyVee Jan 2013 #7

Oppressed trying like hell to become oppressors. intheflow Jan 2013 #22

Now there's the main point! SCVDem Jan 2013 #114

Dumb-ass straw grasping by those who are mad Obama was re-elected. emulatorloo Jan 2013 #9

Yeah. That's it. You know how those evil atheists all really secretly love Mitt. Arugula Latte Jan 2013 #26

Ya know, fuck it. Now atheists who may want less religiosity in civil ceremonies are Mitt lovers?? riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #51

I agree and for that very argument we should have formal prayer in schools. rhett o rick Jan 2013 #10

and yet another person who doesn't even have a teeny eeny grasp cali Jan 2013 #15

Apparently you do dont see the parallel and have to resort to ridicule. But you are in the majority. rhett o rick Jan 2013 #20

Give us a grasp, please muriel_volestrangler Jan 2013 #151

they seem to have a real beef, and although I'm not an atheist, one can understand quinnox Jan 2013 #11

--> I "heard" it was almost a full bore church religious revival <-- emulatorloo Jan 2013 #14

maybe it is a question of perspective quinnox Jan 2013 #19

you heard completely wrong and seeing as YOU didn't watch any of it, you have no basis cali Jan 2013 #17

Obama, Biden attend inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral onehandle Jan 2013 #13

Obama, Biden attend inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral AlbertCat Jan 2013 #67

Yeah. I just posted to a thread... NCTraveler Jan 2013 #16

it's pretty shocking cali Jan 2013 #18

No, it is you who do not understand Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #46

You're wasting your time and words on them just1voice Jan 2013 #55

Where is the hypocrisy in the post that person was replying to? NCTraveler Jan 2013 #103

That is so far out there that your problem cannot be corrected. NCTraveler Jan 2013 #101

Oh my amuse bouche Jan 2013 #117

Sounds like tama Jan 2013 #215

The best was the attack on the Battle Hymn alcibiades_mystery Jan 2013 #21

Yeah, his inauguration speech was spectacular NoOneMan Jan 2013 #24

The tone-deafness on that complaint was extraordinary WolverineDG Jan 2013 #56

Nadine's OP on the same subject yesterday was more dismissive and more condescending Fumesucker Jan 2013 #23

lol quinnox Jan 2013 #25

LOL leftstreet Jan 2013 #36

K&R it would be easier to get everyone worldwide to recognize and Whisp Jan 2013 #28

And since even this is futile NoOneMan Jan 2013 #42

Yup. Since its "traditional" (pay no mind that tradition is often code for continuing bigotry) nt riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #47

I'm not sure what you are proposing here. Whisp Jan 2013 #113

What I am proposing? NoOneMan Jan 2013 #134

on religion, my god is Bill Maher Whisp Jan 2013 #149

They just have to get over it or go see their therapist. demosincebirth Jan 2013 #30

So it would have to be a technical, clear Constitutional violation... Silent3 Jan 2013 #31

why yes. as long as you are free to exercise your religious proclivities... or not cali Jan 2013 #43

So you'd have been just peachy with it... Silent3 Jan 2013 #48

So Rick Warren was great in 2009? jeff47 Jan 2013 #164

At least they did the religious parts well this time. Some people miss the cultural aspects of Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #33

That's it? Atheists are only "whining"? "Complaining vociferously"? Ignorant of US history? riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #34

Unrec...for the use of of the word whining... joeybee12 Jan 2013 #35

Unfortunately telling atheists to STFU has a long history on DU, and gets applause riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #44

Seems members of both sides of the issue enjoy a bit of... LanternWaste Jan 2013 #58

Please provide links where atheists have told Cali or anyone else to STFU on this issue? riderinthestorm Jan 2013 #64

But the whining about the whining is top notch! Iggo Jan 2013 #37

The whining here was to be expected. Bake Jan 2013 #40

Good point..LOL! Thank God, for the scroll button on my mouse. rainlillie Jan 2013 #62

Those whining about those whining about all that Religious crap... bvar22 Jan 2013 #41

I can't forgive false religion's ties to bush. Democrats_win Jan 2013 #49

They need to get TF over it Gman Jan 2013 #50

certainly not as smart as you or the OP.. frylock Jan 2013 #124

The whining about the whining here about religion being included in the inauguration AlbertCat Jan 2013 #53

Patronizing, I knew I was missing a word, dismissive, condescending and patronizing Fumesucker Jan 2013 #59

Being that the President is a Christian, the ceremony represented his beliefs.. rainlillie Jan 2013 #60

So you would have no problem with the principal of your school, being a christian and everything, Warren Stupidity Jan 2013 #87

Nope. rainlillie Jan 2013 #95

How, exactly, are the situations different? jeff47 Jan 2013 #165

Yeah and I don't have a problem with either. rainlillie Jan 2013 #172

Yet the SCOTUS has ruled repeatedly that one of those is unconstitutional. jeff47 Jan 2013 #183

Really? The Supreme Court has held otherwise for over 40 years. Warren Stupidity Jan 2013 #209

It is however sad that this day in age Fearless Jan 2013 #61

Seriously, who the hell are you to question what others believe.. rainlillie Jan 2013 #66

Tolerance is a beautiful thing. AlbertCat Jan 2013 #72

Sure is.. rainlillie Jan 2013 #80

You're right Fearless Jan 2013 #82

Is it really a shocker that religion played a part in the President's inauguration? AlbertCat Jan 2013 #175

And we should tolerate them when they tell people to zeemike Jan 2013 #112

And we should tolerate them when they tell people to STFU about religion... AlbertCat Jan 2013 #179

Well I can see how that is so much worse. zeemike Jan 2013 #202

you believe it is real.. AlbertCat Jan 2013 #213

Well I don't wish you any harm. zeemike Jan 2013 #214

Uh huh. AtheistCrusader Jan 2013 #75

This thing works both ways Fearless Jan 2013 #79

You don't have to accept jack! Just be respectful and not insulting to folks rainlillie Jan 2013 #88

I am not insulting you any more than you're insulting me. Fearless Jan 2013 #97

I guess it was the use of the term "superstitious nonsense," rainlillie Jan 2013 #107

I assume it was. Fearless Jan 2013 #108

Go for it! rainlillie Jan 2013 #111

Have a good day Fearless Jan 2013 #123

You too. rainlillie Jan 2013 #130

"superstitious nonsense," That was offensive to me. AlbertCat Jan 2013 #182

Respecting your belief means respecting you wanting me to burn in a lake of fire. jeff47 Jan 2013 #168

Merry-go-rounds are nauseating.. rainlillie Jan 2013 #170

You can be whatever you'd like. But the religion you're supporting demands I suffer. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #181

Damn! you know more about me than I know about myself.. rainlillie Jan 2013 #190

You're still supporting it, whether or not you believe in it. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2013 #191

Wow--you're LUMPING! MADem Jan 2013 #212

Yup amuse bouche Jan 2013 #121

Amen!!! mfcorey1 Jan 2013 #69

Oh goodie, yet another sanctimonious lecture. forestpath Jan 2013 #71

Yeah, fuck those people that find religious ceremony at a secular event to be divisive. cleanhippie Jan 2013 #74

I'm an Atheist and I find the poutrage annoying as Hell. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #77

I'm pretty much in the same boat, I just let it roll off my back seeing it RKP5637 Jan 2013 #126

I think the divide between the religious and the non-religious is greater than ever in the US... YoungDemCA Jan 2013 #78

It seems to always be targeted at those of a Christian culture Cynicus Emeritus Jan 2013 #105

Bingo!!.....You won't hear jack shit against Judaism, Islam or anything else here whathehell Jan 2013 #150

BAM! There it is! Bake Jan 2013 #160

You're most welcome, Bake. whathehell Jan 2013 #192

There is now more whining about the whining, seems to me. djean111 Jan 2013 #84

lol quinnox Jan 2013 #85

It's like we've entered into some sort of whining paradox that could fracture the Guy Whitey Corngood Jan 2013 #91

This OP, the dismissive tone, lack of accuracy, and piling on of the replies Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #89

It's dissapointing I guess, but he is a Christian, so this is in keeping with his publicly claimed AtheistCrusader Jan 2013 #90

Spam deleted by cyberswede (MIR Team) soft_eyes Jan 2013 #92

5, 4, 3, 2...... Guy Whitey Corngood Jan 2013 #93

and you little pumpkin are soon to be booted out of here on your moronic cali Jan 2013 #99

as an atheist i found YankeyMCC Jan 2013 #94

But the religiosity is superfluous. longship Jan 2013 #96

One person's "whining".. 99Forever Jan 2013 #98

Cali, you need to rethink what separation means cthulu2016 Jan 2013 #102

+1 Great post. Luminous Animal Jan 2013 #196

I'm not going to call anyone a whiner jcamp27 Jan 2013 #109

Cali, You've made some good points rainlillie Jan 2013 #119

May Odin Bless and Keep you frylock Jan 2013 #120

or one of the other amuse bouche Jan 2013 #127

It did violate separation of church and state Progressive dog Jan 2013 #128

nonetheless, when the praying starts, I stop paying attention.... mike_c Jan 2013 #129

Certain OPs were disingenuous, IMO ecstatic Jan 2013 #131

The overwhelmng majority of Americans believe in God bluestateguy Jan 2013 #137

I refute your majoritarian argument Thus... cthulu2016 Jan 2013 #144

I suggest that... 99Forever Jan 2013 #166

The overwhelmng majority of Americans believe in God AlbertCat Jan 2013 #185

99% of the members of Congress also swear in on a Bible. Obama is also a Christian so uses the Bible judesedit Jan 2013 #153

Nit-picky navel-gazing. . . DinahMoeHum Jan 2013 #156

why do all of these kind of whines always include stupidicus Jan 2013 #157

I am confused and sad ... trishtrash Jan 2013 #159

We are, in other threads. djean111 Jan 2013 #174

Of course, I know that. (A little patronizing by the way.) trishtrash Jan 2013 #205

Sorry - I thought it was a little disingenuous to ask why we couldn't talk about nice things ;-) djean111 Jan 2013 #208

I get your points and honor your beliefs. trishtrash Jan 2013 #211

Agreed n/t malaise Jan 2013 #173

No one is forced to pray or believe JNelson6563 Jan 2013 #188

+1 progressoid Jan 2013 #216

Totally agree. nt Raine Jan 2013 #194

Thank you for the buckets of blood Laochtine Jan 2013 #203

This call out OP is a whine. Lame and entitled. DirkGently Jan 2013 #207