Jeff at Alphecca asks an interesting question about people who are protesting the Ten Commandments in Georgia.

Do those who complain about this display also insist, when they are called to testify, that they do NOT “swear to tell the whole truth… …so help me God?” Do they refuse to handle American currency?

I’ve not weighed in on this issue, because I usually find religion to be quite tedious.  As an agnostic, though, I have an interest in seeing that all of our government functions are carried out without respect to any particular religion.  I generally don’t object to small displays of religion that don’t affect any particular court or government operation.  If a judge wants to display the Commandments, I’d consider that his business up until the point where he starts using them (or his other religious beliefs) to make rulings.  It’s the job of the judge to interpret the laws of man, not of a god that may or may not exist.

But I’ve strayed from the point.  To answer the first question, I’d be a hypocrite to swear to a god I don’t believe in (or to do so on a religious book).  I could not in good conscience swear that oath.  However, I could affirm that I would tell the truth, and it is my understanding that the courts allow for this (although you have to let them know that you won’t swear an oath).  In fact, even the oaths of office for the various offices in the United States include this option.  For example, consider Article II, Section 1.

Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:—“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

In fact, there are also religious groups that won’t swear an oath (like the Quakers, who are thought to be the reason for this particular wording in the Constitution).

As for the money issue, I tend to ignore it.  I’d prefer it wasn’t there, but it doesn’t seem to do any harm, since no one is required to buy into that particular phrase to use money.