The president has the option to choose any Bible of their preference for their swearing-in ceremony. However, the most commonly used Bible is the one owned by the president-elect or one that holds historical significance.
Detailed answer to your inquiry
Throughout American history, the swearing-in ceremony of the president has been a noteworthy event, often filled with symbolism and traditions. When it comes to the Bible used for this momentous occasion, there is no specific requirement or designated holy book. The president-elect has the freedom to select any Bible that aligns with their personal beliefs and preferences.
However, the most commonly used Bible for presidential inaugurations is typically the one owned by the president-elect or a Bible that holds historical significance. This choice allows the president-elect to infuse their own values and beliefs into the swearing-in ceremony, showcasing their connection to faith and tradition. It is worth noting that some presidents, regardless of their religious affiliation, have chosen to be sworn in without using a Bible.
A quote from former President Barack Obama sheds light on the significance of the Bible during the inauguration: “What binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional — what makes us American — is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.'”
To delve further into the fascinating realm of presidential Bible choices, here are some intriguing facts:
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Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural Bible: Lincoln used his personal Bible for his first inauguration in 1861. It holds historic significance, as it was opened to his favorite passage, Matthew 7:1-2, which states, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
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Teddy Roosevelt’s oath on a family Bible: Theodore Roosevelt used a Bible from his mother’s family when taking the oath in 1901. The Bible had significant sentimental value to him.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fail-safe plan: FDR was reportedly concerned about the possibility of forgetting the words during his fourth inauguration. As a precaution, he wrote the entire oath on a piece of paper and carried it with him.
Overall, the choice of Bible for the presidential swearing-in ceremony reflects the individuality and values of each president. It serves as a symbol of faith, tradition, and personal connection to the office they are about to assume.
Table:
| President | Bible Used |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln | Personal Bible |
| Theodore Roosevelt | Family Bible |
| Franklin D. Roosevelt | Various Bibles (each inauguration) |
| Barack Obama | Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural Bible |
| Donald Trump | Two Bibles: Lincoln Bible and personal Bible |
| Joe Biden | Personal Bible and a 19th-century family Bible |
Response video to “What Bible does the president swear in on?”
This video discusses the religious aspects of President Biden’s inauguration and raises concerns about the contradictions between his personal beliefs and the emphasis on Christianity in the ceremony. The narrator highlights the irony of swearing in on a Bible that contains elements of oppression and discrimination while advocating for equality and science. They also express concerns about the exclusion of non-Christians and suggest taking the oath on the constitution instead of a religious text to be more inclusive of the diverse beliefs in America.
People also ask
What is the Bible that presidents are sworn in on?
Answer will be: The George Washington Inaugural Bible is the Bible that was sworn upon by George Washington when he took office as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789. The Bible has subsequently been used in the inauguration ceremonies of several other U.S. presidents.
Similar
Does the president swear on a Bible?
In reply to that: In practice, most presidents, at least during the last century, have opted to take the oath (rather than an affirmation), to use a Bible to do so, and also to close the oath with the customary phrase.
What version of the Bible did George Washington use?
The response is: the King James Bible
George Washington, like most gentlemen of his time and social standing, was acquainted with it, specifically the King James Bible, and he liberally seasoned his discourse with biblical phrases and allusions. Washington’s papers contain hundreds of biblical quotations, figures of speech, idioms, proverbs, and allusions.
What Bible does Biden use?
In reply to that: When Joe Biden took his oath as the 46th president of the United States, he did so with one hand on a Bible—which was particularly hard to miss. That’s because the President used the Biden Family Bible—a five-inch-thick tome that dates back to 1893—which was held by Dr. Jill Biden.
Does Joe Biden use a Bible during a swearing-in?
The tradition of using a Bible during the swearing-in goes back to the very first inauguration, but not all Presidents have used one. When Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday January 20, 2021, he will take an oath and raise his right hand while placing his left on a Bible.
Do presidents sworn in on a Bible?
Being sworn in on a Bible is not required by the Constitution, but modern-day presidents have adhered to tradition and chosen symbolic Bibles for their inauguration days. The tradition itself dates back to President George Washington, who was sworn in using a Masonic Bible in 1789.
Who used a Bible during the inauguration?
Response to this: The first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy, also used a family Bible during his inauguration. The Fitzgerald family Bible holds five handwritten pages of the family’s records. Vice President Kamala Harris, a Baptist with family members who are Hindu and Jewish, took her oath of office using two Bibles.
Who sworn in Joe Biden as president?
Answer will be: Link Copied! Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP)
Should a president swear on a Bible?
The reply will be: The Constitutiondoes not require that the president take the oath of office by swearing on a Bible. That would have been a very simple requirement for the constitutional drafters to include. To the contrary, the Founders wanted to ensure that Americans of any faith – or no faith – could hold federal office.
Does Joe Biden use a Bible during a swearing-in?
In reply to that: The tradition of using a Bible during the swearing-in goes back to the very first inauguration, but not all Presidents have used one. When Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday January 20, 2021, he will take an oath and raise his right hand while placing his left on a Bible.
Who used a Bible during the inauguration?
Response will be: The first Catholic president, John F. Kennedy, also used a family Bible during his inauguration. The Fitzgerald family Bible holds five handwritten pages of the family’s records. Vice President Kamala Harris, a Baptist with family members who are Hindu and Jewish, took her oath of office using two Bibles.
What Bible does Donald Trump use for oath of office?
In reply to that: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters When Donald J. Trump takes the oath of office on Friday, he will do so with his hand on two Bibles: his own, and one used by Abraham Lincoln in 1861. Only one other president has used that Bible for the oath: Mr. Trump’s predecessor.