h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Do you have to swear with your hand on the Bible? What if you're not of that religion? Or are of no religon at all?

I guess that the chances of a non Christian being elected are fairly slim. But still I know that American's a multi faith society so it's not although you have to be Christian to become president.

I wonder what would happen with a jewish pres? Would they use a Tora instead? For an atheist would they use magazine? I think doing it on the constitution would be better & less racially biased

well what do they do for them in the court systems it would be the same as being sworn in to testify I would guess

I know in the Uk you can 'affirm' instead of swear on oath. It has the same legal implication though. I guess you must be able to in the US.

that's what it seems like to me also...now thinking about it when joining the military you take an oath of enlistment

I, (state your name), do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed overme, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

with you filling in the name whether you swear or affirm and you choose if you say "so help me god" as far as what you put your hand on...I would guess that a good thing would be a copy of the constitution or something like that

when i become the president of america i"ll remember to be humbly arrogant People shall quote me for generations to come and take lessons from me

because only the elected are inaugurated

In the court system they also make you swear on a bible, no matter what you are. When it comes down to it the american system is alittle rasist.

Not racist.
Just has some unconstitutional, outdated traditions.

Well religonist! But it could be indirectly racist if the majority of people who aren't white aren't Christian either!

Well, no.

I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, eh? Not too worried about it.

I wonder how people would feel about a president swearing on the Koran?

I know that they're are Muslim MPs here, and some Muslims in the house of Lords, but I can't imagine the majority of people voting for one.

most atheists I know take the lofty road of merely talking trash about the government but not taking part in it, so I doubt one would even run for presidency.

Even if one did, most of the people I know vote based on religion. So an Atheistic president would be unlikely to win a popular vote. Also most existing politicians are religious in some way or another, so they would not likely win the other part where the congress or something like that has the final say in who gets the oval office.

But I won't vote based on religion or speaking ability since I read about Adolf Hitler's rise to power. I may still vote for Obama because he seems to be saying what I'm thinking anyway, but who knows?

If I have to swear on a book it will be The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide or The Zombie Survival Guide.