Conservative distortion on the oath of office. Constitution is upheld, not the Bible

[HomerJS]

This is an old article but points out a major flaw of the right using religion to justify policy. During same sex marriage debate a constitutional law professor was invited to testify. Jamie Raskin who is now a Congressman instructed a right wing state Senator how she should uphold her office.

On Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at a hearing on the proposed Constitutional Amendment to prohibit gay marriage, Jamie Raskin, professor of law at AU, was requested to testify.
At the end of his testimony, Republican Senator Nancy Jacobs said: “Mr. Raskin, my Bible says marriage is only between a man and a woman. What do you have to say about that?”
Raskin replied: “Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You did not place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible.”
The room erupted into applause

The Difference Between the Bible and the Constitution

Rumor: Constitutional law professor quips on the difference between the Bible and the Constitution.

www.snopes.com

 

[Greenman]

Religion based law is rarely a good idea. In the case of marriage it gets messy because the law recognises a religious concept that isn't shared equally between all religions, and is somewhat popular amongst atheists as well.

 

[sandorski]

Religion based law is rarely a good idea. In the case of marriage it gets messy because the law recognises a religious concept that isn't shared equally between all religions, and is somewhat popular amongst atheists as well.

Marriage is not a Religious concept. It is a Natural concept that precedes Humanity itself. aka, it is derived from Mating Patterns.

 

[Moonbeam]

Marriage is not a Religious concept. It is a Natural concept that precedes Humanity itself. aka, it is derived from Mating Patterns.

No different with religion. Religion is just what happens when Natural concepts get expressed in thinking in language. It's only an outer garment that can take a million forms that is projected from the interior structure of our brains.

 

[ch33zw1z]

No different with religion. Religion is just what happens when Natural concepts get expressed in thinking in language. It's only an outer garment that can take a million forms that is projected from the interior structure of our brains.

I kinda agree. Religion was used to answer what was previously unanswerable. Humans created a myriad of ways to deal with the hostile world around them. Some humans used it to their fiscal and authoritarian advantage.

 

[1prophet]

Marriage is not a Religious concept. It is a Natural concept that precedes Humanity itself. aka, it is derived from Mating Patterns.

Marriage or monogamy is a rare concept in the natural world where most males hit and run and the female ends up taking care of the offspring



Raskin replied: “Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You did not place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible.”

Then the bible should be removed from the oath ceremony, you can not swear to uphold rules and laws on a book that contradicts those very laws.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Marriage or monogamy is a rare concept in the natural world where most males hit and run and the female ends up taking care of the offspring



Raskin replied: “Senator, when you took your oath of office, you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution. You did not place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible.”

Then the bible should be removed from the oath ceremony, you can not swear to uphold rules and laws on a book that contradicts those very laws.

Bolded: works for me. I've long held this stance. Our government should not be encouraging one religion or another, or count on people's honesty due to it. Swear on the constitution, that's our commitment and oath as USA citizens.

 

[dawp]

Marriage is not a Religious concept.

I agree with this.

It is a Natural concept that precedes Humanity itself. aka, it is derived from Mating Patterns.

this I do not, marriage is a legal concept for the transfer of property.

 

[ShookKnight]

Conservatives use anything to hide behind and pelt people with their horrid and awful expectations; laws, religion, morality - they don't believe in any of these things. They pretend to do, solely for the purpose of bashing you.