"Swingman" wrote in message
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"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote \

If you believe in the words of the bible, you don't need it to swear to
and actually tell the truth. If you don't believe in the words of the
bible, laws at they are written, and have already committed a crime,
putting your hand on a book is not going to increase your morals and make
you be honest. The bible is a symbol, not a truth machine.

IIRC, that is indeed why the word "affirmation" was added to the phrase
"oath or affirmation", to insure the secular nature of the process.



"Solemnly swear or affirm" is the phrase.