William Tyndale 1st English Bible 1526

Should the Bible be continued to be used for swearing-in ceremonies and in the courtroom?
Yes…By: Art Moran


Ultimately, there may be no greater controversy in and throughout the history of mankind itself, than that of concerning ones individual beliefs surrounding the Holy Bible. For as much as I am a firm believer that the individual has every constitutional right to choose their own belief system, and a right to religious freedom, there looms an issue here that defies the principle of this debate.

In solidifying the underlying issue or principle interest of this debate; concerning the use of the Bible in America’s ceremonial procedures, and in the courts of law, there is specific historical evidence supportive of multiple individuals, facts, and events, that deserve due respect by anyone residing in the privilege America offers to us all, regardless of one’s individual beliefs.

In a brief overview of the Bible’s direct influence to America’s founding fathers, we can trace the tracks of time to learn; William Tyndale was accredited as having interpreted the world’s first English text version of the Holy Bible in 1526. For Tyndale’s efforts, he was later tried and convicted in 1535, by an act of heresy, and later strangled to death and burned at the stake.

Not unlike that of his predecessor; Martin Luther’s efforts to translate the Bible into German, and who went on to reform the foundation of Christianity, when he nailed his “95 Theses” to the Catholic’s front door, during the “Diet of Worms.”

Fortunately for Luther, he escaped the similar fate of that which Tyndale was later laid to rest.

However, Tyndale’s sufferings were not in vain, as he has now been revered as having influenced not only the formulation of America through the circulation of his written efforts in The New Testament, but more importantly, has been noted as having contributed a standing 83% of the King James Bibles still in print, and in circulation today.

Furthermore, Tyndale’s efforts have afforded him great acclaim in and amidst the scholars of this country and others, as having played a large role in the formulation and shaping of the English language, and written word that we use today, and rely on in America to establish and uphold the laws, and educating principles which govern this great nation.

During the expansion of America’s birth in the 1770’s, there was another gentleman who arose, and quite possible holds the record for the bestselling book in print in America’s history; “Common Sense” which is still in circulation to this current day. That man’s name was Thomas Paine; one of America’s most influential writers and spoke persons regarded for the “Revolutionary War” period.

Thomas Paine’s book; “Common Sense” - was initially published anonymously, on January 10th, 1776 simply signed; “Written by an Englishman.”

In fact, the first editions were centrally focused around the biblical influence of the Bible, and went on to sell 120,000 copies in the first 3 months, 500,000 copies in the first year, and was documented as having 25 editions made available to the early colonists in the first year alone.

Thomas Paine donated his royalties to George Washington’s Continental Army, stating: “As my wish to serve an oppressed people, and assist in a just and good cause, I conceived that the honor of it would only be promoted by my declining to make even the usual profits of an author.”

Unequivocally, history affords us the privilege to explore the works, efforts, and courage of those before us, and I cannot think of three men whereby America could’ve profited more in the establishment of every written document which followed, nor in the formulation of the civil liberties, and freedoms this nation was built upon.

Certifiably, our forefather’s were very intellectual, literate, and quite insightful. As a direct result of their effort’s; everyone who now lives in America, still enjoys the civil liberties and freedom’s established by the blood, sweat, and tears of those before us, and their literary accomplishments found especially in; “The Declaration Of Independence”, as well as the long list of amendments found in the “Constitution Of The United States Of America”, including, but not limited to the “1st Amendment.”

With all due fairness to the quote-unquote; nonbelievers, or those who elect to worship a god or gods other than the “One” depicted in the Holy Bible’s pages, I sincerely feel this is an issue of both; respect, and this country’s heritage, moreover that of a 10,000 year old debate concerning the ominous mystery(s) surrounding the wisdoms found in any one book, or the name God itself.

Personally, any act which defies the established heritage of this country should be viewed as an act of treason, and no level of ignorance, offense, nor disrespect to not knowing one’s own America’s history should ever reach the level of debate that this issue is undergoing, amongst several similar attacks being formulated by minority groups in today’s societal disconnection to values, principles, and virtues.

Hypothetically, if I were to decide to vacate my homeland, and move to Italy per se, whereas the vast majority of native people elected to defend their country’s heritage, or even held respectively to the established religious practices, principles, and virtues of their forefather’s, I would never be so rude as to imply, I was offended because my personal beliefs varied, or differed from theirs.

Understandably, we live in a nation which professes; “Liberty and Justice for All.”

And to disagree with the aforementioned; I too would be a bigot, or a hypocrite.

In paraphrasing our country’s first President of the United States; George Washington, he once stated; “Show me a country that has lost their spiritual principles and virtues, and I’ll show you a country on the verge of defeat!”

Simply put, irregardless of anyone’s individual beliefs, or what percentage of American’s still elects to believe and uphold the knowledge and wisdom found in the “Good Book”, I feel we have an obligation to our heritage; to maintain certain virtues and principles in this country, despite the fact it may offend the minority, or those opposed to God or the Holy Bible.

Clearly, nobody is going to be so devastated having to “swear in” on the Bible as a mandated issue, simply because they don’t believe in God, unless they are insanely absent to the fact that the Bible is one of the oldest pieces of literature in the world, let alone largely responsible for the establishment of America, and her 233 years of history.

Perhaps some may not agree, and in my opinion if you’re in a court of law to begin with, the majority of the time; you’ve either committed a crime, have registered to vote as a citizen of this great nation and been selected for jury duty, or you are there giving ‘sworn’ testimony to the truth, or being asked to weigh the ‘truth’ as a deciding member or witness to said proceedings.

Therefore, with any, and all absolution, I am highly offended this country has lost so much in the way of our virtues, principles, and respect for the heritage of this great nation, that I myself feel with the utmost conviction, if we sacrifice anymore? -we will be defeated from the inside out, and the outside threat will mean little or nothing!

Without going into a rant regarding the current state of this nation, I find it less than patriotic when we allow any minority group to offset the majority. Especially, while we are visibly able to see the very principles and virtues of our Western Democracy and Western Philosophy being chipped away at, which were initially solid, and established to provide, protect, and uphold freedoms, for the people, by the people.

Hence, “We the People” need to step it up, and start doing our due diligence to preserve and protect that which can still be recognized as America, or we ourselves may suffer a similar fate as that of the Roman Empire, or perhaps even the very Indians that were greatly affected by the coming of the white man to America back in the 1600’s.

Not exactly a pleasant thought. Nor be it one that I condone, support, or welcome.

However, if we continue to contribute to the minority groups, with little or no concern for the long-term repercussions, then we can only blame ourselves, if America is getting harder and harder to recognize as a result.

As for me and mine, I’ll swear to God on my life, and in knowing what I’ve witnessed in and throughout this lifetime, I’d be willing to bet; the real reward awaits, as does the truth, and I like my forefather’s am continuing my search, and explorations in seeking true freedom.

In closing, perhaps the problem has become greater than the solution, for as I see it, I don't need a debate to respect our country, our heritage, our forefathers, the Bible, or the courts, and the established ceremonial practices of this great nation.

In fact, swearing; "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...so help me God!" - Should be mandatory as common sense, not an issue up for debate by any intellectual nation, especially America!

May God Bless Us All! (Certainly it couldn’t hurt if He did!)
Art Moran & Family