Cook County News Herald

Hand on the Bible


Today, when someone is sworn in to holding a public office, he or she is asked to swear an oath while laying a hand on the Bible. This has been a United States tradition for many years and its rightfulness only questioned at times, like: “Why not The Constitution?”

The reason for the hand on the book is that there is some significance in swearing on a book. It implies the upholding and promotion of the teachings found in the book. Ironically, in this country of separation of church and state, it is the Bible, which is used to signify what the person being sworn in is supposed to uphold and promote. And, ironically, we experience this almost to the word today, as the present administration is carrying on like the, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, “cruel, vindictive, capricious and unjust” god of the Bible!

Jake Hjorth, Grand Marais

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