FORKNI-L
Digest - 15 May 2007 to 16 May 2007 (#2007-50)
Wed, 16 May 2007
There are 2 messages totalling 63 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Episode Discussion: False Witness (2)
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 21:09:53 -0400
From: gwatson2 <gwatson2@r.......>
Subject: Re: Episode Discussion: False Witness
Angela wrote:
>As a Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) in the most recent federal election, I
>was
>equipped to swear electors, or to let them solemnly affirm an affirmation.
>The
>few that needed to do anything in that line chose to affirm. (I did have my
>Bible, in case any chose to swear; [...] )
Yes, I seem to recall a news report of a citizenship ceremony on Canada Day,
and the judge did them en masse by affirmation. How else to accommodate all
the potential religions simultaneously?
However, there is still the question of the Bible--since you had one there,
presumably you know whether anyone who chose to swear would have been asked
to actually put their hand on it. I ask because it might be of interest to
anyone writing fan fiction, for the sake of verisimilitude.
Greer
gwatson2@r.......
http://ca.geocities.com/gwatson2@rogers.com/index.html.
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 22:38:27 -0500
From: Margie Hammet <treeleaf@i.......>
Subject: Re: Episode Discussion: False Witness
>Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 02:03:48 -0400
>From: gwatson2 <gwatson2@r.......>
>
>I know that the U.S. has a Bill of Rights; but I don't know its details.
>Doesn't it guarantee freedom of conscience?
Theoretically, yes, although they call it freedom of religion. Yet, here
in Texas a few years back, there was some kind of dustup, because the court
told a woman she could swear or affirm, and the only difference was that
one word. She still was told she had to use the words, "so help me
God." I can't remember what finally happened to that case.
Then there was the time when Daddy Bush was running for President, and he
was asked if atheists had constitutional rights, and he said, "No."
For what it's worth these days, <sigh>, here's what the 1st amendment to
the U.S. Constitution says: "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."
Margie
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End of FORKNI-L Digest - 15 May 2007 to 16 May 2007 (#2007-50)
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