This answer is in two parts. First of all you have to remember that US is a mostly Christian country, so the laws and statutes reflect a mostly Christian belief and those called to the bench swear to the Christian God to uphold the law as it pertains to US. Secondly, though, if you are giving evidence at a trial and are asked to take an oath on the book of the sacred law then you can ask for the Bible to be substituted by that book which you hold spiritually dear. This is also the case in non-sectarian societies that require an oath of allegiance.

I feel that one should bave the option to swear on any holy book or to simply take an oath without swearing on any book. Even if you put aside the fact that our country is supposed to have a clear seperation of church and state, it is ultimately pointless to make an a person swear on a Bible if the Bible isn't important or revered to them. I can see where swearing on the Bible could make even a moderate Christian think twice about lying, but I doubt it has the same affect on an athiest or (and I am just saying this as an extreme example) a satanist.

There is no law that says you must swear on a Bible, either before testifying in court or becoming president. It is a tradition, that's all. If you object you can simply take an oath to tell the truth. Ironically, the Bible warns the faithful to never swear an oath, because a Christian's every word should be the truth.

I agree with bracyfort3241, Christ, at Matthew 5:33-37 specificaly states: "33: Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36: Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37: But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." The NWT words it this way, which I find much easier to understand: "33 Again YOU heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ 34 However, I say to YOU: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35 nor by earth, because it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor by your head must you swear, because you cannot turn one hair white or black. 37 Just let YOUR word Yes mean Yes, YOUR No, No; for what is in excess of these is from the wicked one". SketchyMess makes some good points as well, in that while it may do some good for those who respect whatever book you may be using, what good does it do one who doesn't even respect, or believe the book they put their hand on. According to Jesus, we shouldn't even be swearing at all. So why is the Bible used at all? As for the Qur'an, I don't really know what it teaches about swearing oaths, or the use of the Qur'an in doing so. Any Muslims out there want to take that part of it?

This question is deliberately vague I think. This question applies to the fact that the first Muslim elected to Congress wishes to be sworn in on a Qu'ran. This is fine by me since neither the Qu'ran nor the Bible is the holy text of the United States, but rather the Constitution is, and as long as the Congress swears to uphold that, I couldn't care less what they get sworn in on.

A person should be able to swear on whatever is Holy to them. Be it the Bible or the Quran.

It's sad to see how far America is falling from traditions it was built on. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/08/national/main2777535.shtml?source=RSSattr=U.S._2777535

As a Muslim, it would be useless to swear on a Bible. As a Muslim, one wouldn't swear on a book, not even the Qur'an. A Muslim SHOULD speak the truth, but if prompted to swear, they would swear in The Name of God.

I think you can take an oath on whatever holy book you want or none if you are atheist or have no particular religious affiliation. But, by and large, most people who take an oath of office have been Christians. I think you should use what ever makes you comfortable. I don't think a non-believer's word sworn on a Bible is worth anymore than his/her word only sworn.

I believe people should be allowed to swear on whatever book they want, whether it be the Qu'ran, the Bible or a Silver Surfer comic book. The oath itself, not what symbol is used to swear it on, is what's important.

In most areas, you can take an oath on any Holy Book you want to or take a not-religious oath. I would rather remove the Holy Book option altogether if it means allowing the Quran as one of the holy books.

The person taking an Oath of Office in the United States is not required to take the oath on any text/book whatsoever - religious or otherwise. The choice to do so, and which book to use, is a personal one. The first US President to take the oath of office without using a Bible was Theodore Roosevelt in 1901. Nothing should be the ultimate solitary text prescribed for everyone. That is a violation of the Constitution. Article VI, section 3: "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." Amendment I: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

I can't wait till the day when people can get sworn to office on the phone book. That will be a good day for reason and common sense in this country