Since in the instance you cite, the verdict was more important to you than refusing lip service to an offensive but boilerplate oath, you did the right thing to go along rather than make a scene on the stand. We are indeed one nation under nobody.I’m also new to this site, and was woefully ignorant that I should have been studying about being an atheist as well as just being one over the last 41 years. Commentary on TheHumanist.com does not constitute an official position of the American Humanist Association unless specifically noted.
Quakers in early America did not have to say the words "So help me God", they simply affirmed the ideal that if they lied, they would do so knowing of God's judgement. — but I usually go ahead and say it anyway, sans “under god.”The resulting gap totally ruins the rhythmic flow for me, though, and it would be fun to throw in something snarky instead. Can an atheist legally ask for a non-religious oath of some sort?You are right that you probably are not required by law to swear, “So help me God,” nor would you be compelled to take an oath on the Bible. Get our FREE Newsletters and special offers!"Interesting. (2010, November 10). SHMG abbreviation stands for So Help Me God. “So help me God” was scratched out with a black pen and “on my honour” was written in. What bothers me is that a private entity would require its employees to swear an oath. so help me God. ... Want more from the Friendly Atheist? In many cases, not even the presiding officials know there’s an affirmation available, despite it being right there in their regulations.I say that we push for wide access to the existing accommodation — that officials be made aware of the religious accommodations that already exist within their procedures, and that these accommodations be offered I think it’s awesome that there’s a “commissioner of oaths.” How 16th century!While I briefly considered joining the military, I noticed that the swearing-in oath included God, and I’d like to hope that I would have had the courage/integrity to ask for an alternative.i feel that any oath-swapping makes me sound more like ned flanders than an atheist. At the end of the oath, above the line for my signature, I was perturbed to see the phrase “SO HELP ME GOD.”I don’t believe I require a non-existent being to help me behave properly, and I would have felt like a hypocrite if I had signed it with the (irrelevant) phrase intact.I remembered reading about a lawyer in the states (on Friendly Atheist) who substituted “On my honour” for “so help me God” when giving an oath.I asked my new boss if it would be acceptable to make the substitution. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly.Looks like the site is more popular than we thought! It is also used in some jurisdictions as a form of oath for other forms of public duty, such as an appearance in court, service as a juror, etc. So help me God is a phrase often used to give an oath, and most commonly optional as part of an oath of office. The essence of the phrase is to emphasize that one means what one is saying or has said.The use of the phrase implies a greater degree of seriousness and obligation than is usually assigned to common conversation. Any ideas? I have been worshiping at the the temple of Pabst.When I had my Naturalization Oath Taking Ceremony a few days ago, I substituted “On my Honor” when I recited the Oath while everyone else(I think, or at least that is what I heard, but of course I’d like to think that I wasn’t the only one) said “So help me God.” I felt more honor in doing the oath the way I did, even if it was just done verbally, I just couldn’t say something on my oath that I deem untrue(wow, imagine that, I can’t lie.) “SO HELP ME GOD sept 25,” he wrote as the caption. Olga Paule Perrier-Bilbo, a citizen of France living in Massachusetts, is suing to remove the phrase ‘so help me God’ from the United States citizenship oath. Copyright 2008-2017, Patheos. Would you respect someone who had sworn an oath to the Tooth Fairy? Any thoughts on how to politely acknowledge a sneeze other than “god bless you.”?I’m in favor of: “I’m glad your heart’s still beating and you appear not to have injured yourself.” but it seems a bit lengthy.Recently, swearing in as an Army civilian, we were told that we didn’t have the say “So help me God” — it was optional. I’m not thrilled about the entirety of the pledge, personally — antiquated nationalistic symbol worship, etc. Friendly Atheist. Retrieved 19:51, December 31, 2010, from It could be specified in the contract.
I think I got the wrong end of the stick during my orientation. so help me; Etymology . After all, I am a proud American! I’ve linked articles from Once you’ve determined that nothing on the books requires you to say “So help me God,” you could, if you wished, end your oath with “So help me, Rhonda” or whatever you choose.
It bothers you that much? How can that be legal? But you are also astute to recognize that opting for an alternative might make you and the reliability of your testimony seem suspect in the eyes of the people hearing the case. 2 Chainz has announced that he's working on his next album, 'So Help Me God', as well as a sequel to 'ColleGrove', his 2016 collaborative LP with Lil Wayne. Historians maintain that Some of the states have specified that the words "so help me God" were used in oath of office, and also required of In medieval France, tradition held that when the Duke of Brittany or other royalty entered the city of The traditional oath of witnesses in Austrian courts ends with the phrase Constitution of the Philippines (1987). So you’ll have to live with the fact that yeah, we’re still a little touchy about that. This process is automatic. Get our FREE Newsletters and special offers! White, supra note 30, … What does SHMG stand for? @Jess: I always just use the German “gesundheit.”. I never cared much about the pledge; I just felt it was a wasted five or so minutes. Acting respectfully and professionally is a basic condition for doing good work. Calling all HuffPost superfans! Taking things a step further, he …