In January 2019, a website that features satire articles, published an article stating that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Oaths of Office not taken on the Bible are illegal.

The website clearly states that it is satire, but regardless, the article made it’s way around the internet and now many people are claiming Oaths must be taken on the Bible, which is not true.

Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that Oaths of Office must be taken on the Bible. In fact, the Constitution states, “No religious Test shall ever be required as a qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

Article VI:

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.

Furthermore, a report from the Congressional Research Service states:

As the Members-elect raise their right hands, they are not required to hold anything in their left hands. Many have held a family Bible or another sacred text in their left hands, but there is no requirement that anything be held when the oath is taken.

Read full CRS report here.

Lastly, here is a list of recent Supreme Court decisions showing that the justices haven’t issued any rulings on the subject of oaths of office.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Categories: Uncategorized

Tags: Bible, Fact Check, Oath of Offices, Supreme Court