• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

bill to make swearing to god mandatory in Colorado?

B

blarg

Banned
DP Veteran
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
14,826
Reaction score
2,015
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Undisclosed
http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_242_01.pdf

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-12-101, amend
2 as amended by House Bill 18-1138 (1) as follows:
3 24-12-101. Form of oath or affirmation for public office -
4 requirements for oath or affirmation. (1) When a person is required to
5 take an oath or affirmation before the person enters upon the discharge of
6 a public office or position, the form of the oath or affirmation is as
7 follows:
8 I [name], do [select swear BY THE EVERLIVING GOD or
9 affirm] that I will support the constitution of the United
10 States, the constitution of the state of Colorado, and the
11 laws of the state of Colorado, and will faithfully perform
12 the duties of the office of [name of office or position] upon
13 which I am about to enter to the best of my ability
 
Doesn't this do just the opposite? You can simply say, "I, Blarg, do affirm..."

It clearly gives two options.
 
Taylor said:
Doesn't this do just the opposite? You can simply say, "I, Blarg, do affirm..."

It clearly gives two options.
Click to expand...

o could have misread it i figured it meant you had to say swear or affirm by god
 
I, Bodi, affirm that this thread is a FAIL.
 
Colorado is reaping taxes while we suffer the costs.
 
Clearly unconstitutional. What else is there to say?
 
Taylor said:
Doesn't this do just the opposite? You can simply say, "I, Blarg, do affirm..."
It clearly gives two options.
Click to expand...
That does appear to be true but the purpose of the bill is to add the “by the Everliving God” element. Previously they could choose to say “swear” or “affirm”, with the amendment, that can “swear by the Everliving God” or “affirm”. It still seems quite an oddly specific wording to specify and does make you wonder what the underlying motive for the bill was.
 
Good Lord Sweet Jesus.
 
"Or" is the key word.
 
blarg said:
http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_242_01.pdf

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-12-101, amend
2 as amended by House Bill 18-1138 (1) as follows:
3 24-12-101. Form of oath or affirmation for public office -
4 requirements for oath or affirmation. (1) When a person is required to
5 take an oath or affirmation before the person enters upon the discharge of
6 a public office or position, the form of the oath or affirmation is as
7 follows:
8 I [name], do [select swear BY THE EVERLIVING GOD or
9 affirm] that I will support the constitution of the United
10 States, the constitution of the state of Colorado, and the
11 laws of the state of Colorado, and will faithfully perform
12 the duties of the office of [name of office or position] upon
13 which I am about to enter to the best of my ability
Click to expand...

Ummm this is much to do about nothing. In case you missed it: https://openstates.org/co/bills/2018A/HB18-1138/#billtext

The bill signed into law by the Governor was revised. http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_1138_signed.pdf

They amended 24-12-101 to remove the part about an ever living god. But make it clear that you can still swear by that ever living god if you choose to.
The revised version states: "IT IS LAWFUL FOR A PERSON ELECTING TO SWEAR AN OATH TO "SWEAR BY
THE EVERLIVING GOD" IF THAT PERSON SO CHOOSES."


The actual oath/affirmation reads like this:
"I [NAME], DO [SELECT SWEAR OR AFFIRM] THAT I WILL
SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, AND THE LAWS
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, AND WILL FAITHFULLY PERFORM
THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF [NAME OF OFFICE OR POSITION]
UPON WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER TO THE BEST OF MY
ABILITY. "
 
blarg said:
http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_242_01.pdf

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-12-101, amend
2 as amended by House Bill 18-1138 (1) as follows:
3 24-12-101. Form of oath or affirmation for public office -
4 requirements for oath or affirmation. (1) When a person is required to
5 take an oath or affirmation before the person enters upon the discharge of
6 a public office or position, the form of the oath or affirmation is as
7 follows:
8 I [name], do [select swear BY THE EVERLIVING GOD or
9 affirm] that I will support the constitution of the United
10 States, the constitution of the state of Colorado, and the
11 laws of the state of Colorado, and will faithfully perform
12 the duties of the office of [name of office or position] upon
13 which I am about to enter to the best of my ability
Click to expand...

The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever hereafter be guaranteed; and no person shall be denied any civil or political right, privilege or capacity, on account of his opinions concerning religion; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the good order, peace or safety of the state. No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry or place of worship, religious sect or denomination against his consent. Nor shall any preference be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship.
 
blarg said:
http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_242_01.pdf

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-12-101, amend
2 as amended by House Bill 18-1138 (1) as follows:
3 24-12-101. Form of oath or affirmation for public office -
4 requirements for oath or affirmation. (1) When a person is required to
5 take an oath or affirmation before the person enters upon the discharge of
6 a public office or position, the form of the oath or affirmation is as
7 follows:
8 I [name], do [select swear BY THE EVERLIVING GOD or
9 affirm] that I will support the constitution of the United
10 States, the constitution of the state of Colorado, and the
11 laws of the state of Colorado, and will faithfully perform
12 the duties of the office of [name of office or position] upon
13 which I am about to enter to the best of my ability
Click to expand...

It appears you can either swear to God, or support the constitution.
 
blarg said:
http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2018A/bills/2018a_242_01.pdf

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-12-101, amend
2 as amended by House Bill 18-1138 (1) as follows:
3 24-12-101. Form of oath or affirmation for public office -
4 requirements for oath or affirmation. (1) When a person is required to
5 take an oath or affirmation before the person enters upon the discharge of
6 a public office or position, the form of the oath or affirmation is as
7 follows:
8 I [name], do [select swear BY THE EVERLIVING GOD or
9 affirm] that I will support the constitution of the United
10 States, the constitution of the state of Colorado, and the
11 laws of the state of Colorado, and will faithfully perform
12 the duties of the office of [name of office or position] upon
13 which I am about to enter to the best of my ability
Click to expand...

"Separation of church and state"?
 
Did anyone who framed this bill stop to consider that "THE EVERLIVING GOD" instructs us not to swear at all (Matt 5: 34-37)?
 
Since it allows "affirm" it isn't as radical as one would think and passes First Amendment muster.

Interesting that it states:

"that I will support the constitution of the United
10 States, the constitution of the state of Colorado, and the
11 laws of the state of Colorado..."

but not the laws of the United States.
 
I was under the impression that The Constitution was about America, not about some God
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom