The value of someone’s oath under the name of God is deemed by some to be a solid and grave commitment to whatever the oath is pertaining to.

This sort of bond primarily derives from the thought that God will oversee all doings related to the oath and will, consequently, hold people responsible for their actions.

The fear of God’s judgment pressures many people to remain conscious of courtroom oaths, public office commitments and any other pledges they make under God.

With the help of this continual fear of judgment, I believe it is perfectly sound and entirely supported by the First Amendment for people to have the right to take judicial oath, public office or other commitments under the name of God, if they so choose.

A general misconception that judicial oaths must be sworn on the Bible can be a point of confusion, especially concerning the matter of the separation of church and state.

What is usually overlooked, however, is the meaning of the First Amendment – the choice to partake or not partake in the traditions of a specific religious belief.

“If they don’t want to sit there and swear to God, they can affirm on both jury or witness testimony,” said Saline County Court Administrator Todd Heitschmidt. “So they would say, ‘I affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.'” He also said jurors or witnesses “never put their hand on a Bible.”

Heitschmidt’s comments parallel the First Amendment and show how giving people the choice during a judicial oath can expel any arguments about the separation of church and state.

With all the talk about taking oaths under God, some might think, what if someone doesn’t believe in the Christian God? Maybe the people who do not believe in that God have a higher power they idolize that has made them fearful of their own judgment day.

That is completely fine.

The devotion one shows by taking a vow will prove to create the most acceptance by others because it exemplifies how invested that person is toward the vow itself.

To affirm true dedication toward something – swearing yourself to God, to your father or mother, to deceased peoples and basically anything of importance – will improve the chances of someone believing your conviction.

And this is precisely what happens in the courtroom, inaugurations for public office and marriages.

People want confirmation of a person’s intentions. People don’t expect others to convert to Christianity or any other religion when asked to affirm something under the name of God.

It just so happens some people are fearful of God’s wrath and use the name of God to affirm certain truths and to become part of binding commitments.