Bible for Inauguration
On January 20th President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as President using the same bible that Abramham Lincoln used during his inauguration in 1861. Although Presidents are not required to be sworn in on the bible, it has been done by almost every chief executive since George Washington. In the past, Presidents have chosen to use a passage from the Bible to be opened to during the swearing-in ceremony. Traditionally the passage used holds either a personal or historical significace.
“The President-elect is committed to holding an Inauguration that celebrates America’s unity, and the use of this historic Bible will provide a powerful connection to our common past and common heritage.”
I am in no way surprised by this news. Our country is not ready to dispense of the symbolism of swearing on the Bible, especially after all the rumors that were spread about Barack Obama being a secret-Muslim. I can’t imagine him wanting to be sworn-in any other way.
It is interesting to remember the final words of Lincoln’s inaugural address:
I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stre[t]ching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
The question still stands, which verse will Obama use?
I don’t know why it is such a big deal, he has not started his presidency, he is still president elect. Abraham Lincoln was a great president and Barack well we don’t know yet cause he’s only president elect. What if he turns out to only make it worse, will everyone just say oh its all Bush’s fault that’s why. I say get your own bible and don’t compare him to Abraham Lincoln. You don’t even know if he’s going to be a great president in office but people already chalk him up right there with Abraham Lincoln. If Mr. Obama had any humility he would opt not to do that and get his own bible. Might as well make him a concrete statue right next to Abraham Lincoln sitting next to old honest Abe.