Loyalty Oath

[josephine schmo]

NYC:

The next time I have to swear in court, I'm gonna swear on the Daily Racing Form.

[NYCImmParalegal]

One should affirm or swear in what one holds dearest. For some, that is faith in God. For others it may well be Hustler or Macbeth or a picture of family members. Just because one swears or affirms does not guarantee the person will hold to the swearing/affirmation. Look at trials; do you think all people who swear/affirm to tell the truth actually do so? A swearing/affirmation is an appeal to one's conscience and ethics or faith in a higher authority. Some people have it more than others, regardless of whether they swear or affirm.

If you do swear on something you don't believe in, then you are in contempt with your own conscience. Since no one is required to prove that one actually believes in the "subject" of the swearing, I am quite sure a lot of people are in contempt of their own selves...

[irritated]

NYC,

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread but I couldn't resist.

Why would a professor swear on Shakespeare if swearing denotes one's faith? Does this imply the professor thinks of Shakespearian works in the religous sense?

If I affirm, do I just say the words without reference to anything?

What happens if I swear on something I don't believe in? Is it considered contempt?

[josephine schmo]

"a professor of literature may swear on the collected works of Shakespeare"

So, a professional gambler can swear on the Daily Racing Form and Larry Flynt can swear on his Hustler magazines?

What happened to just raising your right hand?

[NYCImmParalegal]

As an agnostic/atheist or even as a Mormon (not allowed to swear), you affirm. You do not affirm on a text. In addition, you can swear on any text you wish. A Muslim can swear on the Qran, a Hindu on the veda, or a professor of literature may swear on the collected works of Shakespeare. In short, an affirmation is a call to one's conscience, while a swearing is a call to one's faith. Either are perfectly allowed, even though TV shows only show swearing ins.

[josephine schmo]

What do you swear on if you are Agnostic or Atheist?

[NYCImmParalegal]

I'm not anti-USA and my political leanings have nothing to do with this. Michael was referring to a green card oath, which I find to be excessive.

I am quite familiar with the citizenship oath. However, despite the pledge to abandon all foreign allegiances, there are plenty of people out there (my father included) who are dual citizens. I have even dealt with triple and quadruple citizens. And, to nitpick, the last phrase (So help me god) does not have to be recited if one does not want to (a little thing called freedom of religion comes to mind); in fact, one can freely choose to affirm, rather than to swear. This is the same in courts, where one can affirm instead of swearing on a sacred text of one's choosing.

[acelaw]

This is what it is now , I am sure the liberal anti- USC Para legal can find this un constitutional TOO



OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

[NYCImmParalegal]

Well, I'm no constitutional scholar, but Michael's oath is full of constitutional violations, including free speech and religion.

[Pasha Patel]

Michael,
Your posts are amusing and I never take it seriously.... but get a break... you shouldn't be making joke of serious and respectable matter like oath.... take care...keep posting...I love to read ur posts...it makes me laugh....Have a good night...Pasha

[Remi]

More like "bullsheit oath".

The following oath for permanent residency is being considered by Congress. Lets hope it passes.

"I pledge allegience to the United States and it's government. I renounce all other allegiences, states and belief systems. I accept the American principles of liberty, freedom, capitalism and justice as being the only acceptable form of governance in a civilized society. I solemnly swear to obey all laws and to defend the United States of America from all enemies, foreign or domestic. So help me God."

[Michael]

The following oath for permanent residency is being considered by Congress. Lets hope it passes.

"I pledge allegience to the United States and it's government. I renounce all other allegiences, states and belief systems. I accept the American principles of liberty, freedom, capitalism and justice as being the only acceptable form of governance in a civilized society. I solemnly swear to obey all laws and to defend the United States of America from all enemies, foreign or domestic. So help me God."