December 25, 2008
Posted: December 25th, 2008 06:00 PM ET

From
The 1861 Lincoln Inaugural Bible against the backdrop of the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress.
The 1861 Lincoln Inaugural Bible against the backdrop of the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress.

(CNN) – While President-elect Barack Obama will certainly be making history when he takes the oath of office on January 20, he'll also be repeating it - by placing his hand on the same Bible that Abraham Lincoln used during the inauguration of 1861.

The Constitution does not require presidents to be sworn in on a Bible, though almost every chief executive since George Washington has chosen to do so. Presidents have differed greatly, however, on the question of which passage the Bible should be opened to during the swearing-in ceremony.

It brings up the question of what - if any - biblical passage Obama will emphasize.

If what is past is prologue, as Shakespeare famously wrote (a quote now engraved in front of the National Archives), he might opt for the popular presidential theme of repentance.

Full story

Filed under: Barack Obama • Inauguration


Nonbeliever   December 25th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

How about Deuteronomy?

"20:14 But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee."

That might shut up his critics. :D

Well...   December 25th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

this is fantastic. I refuse to acknowledge the likes of Kenneth in Flushing or The Verse He Needs to Read (pretending to be Dem/Gay/Upset) or those like them. They are going to have something negative to say about Obama no matter what he does or says. They come in all shades (racists, neo-cons, religious zealots, those in denial and or need of mental help) and if you read between the lines, you will be able to determine which one they are.

PEOBAMA is Christian, he has proven his birth (certificate, place, etc.), he is not a Messian or Anti-Christ, he is not in office yet, he is working harder as PE than I have ever witnessed, and well the list goes on of fallacies and myths created by the above persons.

I am so very proud of this man and our country. I plan to enjoy the next four years and do all I can to support our president in cleaning up the mess that is currently our United States of America. God bless him, his administration, his family, and all of you! Obama/Biden/USA

America loses, Barack wins   December 25th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

You can use famous bibles and artifacts of our great Presidents, but until you get into the job and make the tough decisions for the beterment of the country will you be graded as a President. For now, enjoy the honeymoon because I expect with your throw money at every problem ideology, you love affair with bankrupting our future will be a short lived Presidency and you will be judged as just another Jimmy Carter of 1976 to 1980.

As I said Barack wins for now, but America loses for four years.

I just hope we are a Capitalist country still when you get your high tax and spend, favoritism to the unions and Cap and Trade tax and regulation policies take effect in the next few years. Big government has never solved economic problems on main street, Competition in a free enterprise environment with few hindrances such as high taxes and regulation and closed borders will right our ship, definitely not Barack or his Academic liberals. They will be the problem of our future and the solution. The quesiton is will our next Reagan be able to get us back to the conservatism we all know works and is best for jobs and our economy.
!!!

As I said Barack wins for now, America loses.

Sue   December 25th, 2008 10:47 pm ET

Obama will likely have one of His staff members select something from Sakespeare rather than a quote from the Bible for his inauguration speech. I wonder if that will be added to the Bible after the speech is over?. Remember, He is Hahvahd graduate, much more intelligent and sophisticated than the regular person?

mark l holland   December 25th, 2008 10:44 pm ET

Joyce

By the way I am a Theist, but I am not a Christian, I reject the Unholy Bible simply because it is worthy of rejection, not because it talks of a God or Gods.

mark l holland   December 25th, 2008 10:39 pm ET

Joyce

Everyone is intitled to their individual and personal beleifs, I care little when people are Christian with Christian beliefs, it is when these Christians push their false beleifs upon others that I take offence. Obama seems to be a for real Jesus follower and if he is I see little problems with him.

But if he is a Christian Fundamentalist or Evangelical that is a different matter. If he turns out to be either of these two evils he will need to be fought, if he is a simple Jesus Follower then he should be ok. Jesus followers may call themselves Christians but they are not main stream Christians. Jesus Followers are a decent people who actually read and obey the public teachings of Jesus.

Christians on the other hand ignore Jesus's Public Teachings and obey every other teaching under the sun ignoring Jesus's Public Teachings. Jesus Followers I can tolerate, Christians I cannot tolerate.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   December 25th, 2008 10:24 pm ET

Does it really matter which bit of superstitious drivel Obama emphasises?

As other people have suggested, if they really need to have some silly ritual, it really ought to be centered around something significant like the Constitution, not some overblown pre-technological myth.

worriedmom   December 25th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

"In God We Trust". That is the only person that I have to worry about being true to.

Independant Thinker   December 25th, 2008 10:10 pm ET

I wonder when somebody is going to tell Obama that Lincoln was a Republican????

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   December 25th, 2008 10:08 pm ET

It's Christmas day and we're blogging?

WE NEED TO GET A LIFE, THE WHOLE LOT OF US!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!

Joyce   December 25th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

It is his inauguration and he can choose whatever he wants. To those who object to a Bible, President-Elect Obama is a Christian and has the right to carry his faith with him and to be guided by it. If you have no faith, fine. Just respect PE Obama's rights.

Kenneth M. of Flushing Queens   December 25th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

I was just kidding. I know Obama is not a Muslim and was born in Hawaii. I was just trying to get adobpted by the Southern Hottie. I see it worked. How is Savannah in the winter?

mark l holland   December 25th, 2008 9:38 pm ET

Personally I would hope that no Unholy bible be used what so ever. Having someone swear their alliegence using a false holy book really does not impress me in the least. How about swearing in using the Constitution of the United States.

The Unholy Bible has more contradictions and inconsistancies then I have hair on my body. And I have lot's of hair. George Washington aside it is a shame that such a tradition was ever started.

Dave, Illinois   December 25th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

Hey "Nomore Bush", you must be one of the self-appointed "enlightened ones" who knows that there is no God. Yours is a religion that takes much more faith to believe in then Christianity. To believe that the DNA molecule is the product of chance simply escapes me. The binary (on or off) nature of genetic information (genes) within the DNA molecule and the nearly infinite combinations of these reminds me of the operation of an electronic computer. Computers operate by the processing of the binary states of many bits in memory banks in combination with the instructions being processed by the cpu and its arithmetic subcomponents. Could this come about by random chance? Think about it a little bit before making such ignorant statements.

Jan   December 25th, 2008 9:17 pm ET

I thought this country values freedom of religion?

If so, then the President holding his hand over the Bible during his inauguration is just as fine as using another religions symbol or none at all.

If it does make any difference to you, then you are out of line with the constitution. Nobody else.

Jan

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   December 25th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

@Ann

You wanted Hillary or McCain to win, didn't you?

Well, they didn't. Get over it.

Your next president is:

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!!

Get therapy if you just can't deal with it.

Silly republipuma.

Jerry   December 25th, 2008 9:09 pm ET

he should pick the whole bible, not just a phrase, as a method of showing that he is trying to bring all of us together

rcasc   December 25th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

Mt:24:28:
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (KJV)
http://rcasc1955canada.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

Larry   December 25th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

Lord–I had no idea how bad this is going to be.....

Paul   December 25th, 2008 9:01 pm ET

I can do all things through Christ who strenghts me!

Lindsay Miller   December 25th, 2008 8:59 pm ET

A bible... what happen to the separation between church and state. I have be Catholic my entire life but I do not feel that religion has any place is politics when will this ever stop.

chuck   December 25th, 2008 8:57 pm ET

PRESIDENT ELECT COULD OPEN THE BIBLE TO PSALMS 23.THIS I CONSIDER ONE OF THE GREATEST CHAPTERS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.

Sylva   December 25th, 2008 8:57 pm ET

The same people who is bashing Obama is probably the same people who "VOTED Bush" in "twice". But now they want to complain about the new President... WOW!

harddirt   December 25th, 2008 8:56 pm ET

Swearing in of the President of the United States is a governmental, or state, function. It is highly improper and unconstitutional to mix in any religious garbage in such functions, and such garbage should be banned.... unless the President also swears the oath on the Koran, Veda, etc., and promises to be President for ALL Americans..... not just Christians.

Ohioguy   December 25th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

Nomore Bush – The Bible is NOT myth.

Maybe you should try reading it.

To Hottie   December 25th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

Time will reveal the truth. Then we can all laugh together.

It really does not matter though. He is going with tradition and using the bible. Every president should despite his or her political beliefs. This country was founded on the beliefs of the bible, so do not break tradition. Besides, he does want to get re elected right?

Read his lips. He lies like all of the previous presidents did and will always do. It is part of the job of being a politician after all.

God bless our new president and we will all keep his decisions in our prayers.

Kaleena   December 25th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

The bible should not even be used in this ceremony.

Freedom of my religion my big fat foot.

Marc   December 25th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

To Kenneth -
Anyone who was born in the state of Hawaii during the XXth Century, yes even before it was a state, is an American citizen. The laws of the state forbids the access to some oficial documentations to anyone who thinks that has the right to see it, like journalist or politicians. PEOTUS Barak Obama has no obligation to allow the Hawaiian authorities to show his original document simply because paranoid conspiracy theorist claims that has the right to demand that from him.
Stop with the Muslim nonsense. Being a Muslim is not a degradation, no matter what all the... losers (the right word is unpublishable) that thinks that THEY are the real Muslims made you believe. If that was true then after all that the KKK did, specially when they were well considered by the majority of the Americans (first half of the past Century) the Southern Christian denominations would be really tainted even now. And he's not Muslim anyway.
Finally, I'm not sure if this is 'news' material or 'gossip' material CNN.

PS: Stop 'moderating' my posts, this is my second try!

yellow dog democrat   December 25th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

oh my all the anti-jesus – who think they know Christian values are here with their stones again – meaning they don't know the first thing about spirituallity – they are dead inside and it shows clearly.

you are here to test us again – well just go back to your darkness – this is a new day –

we have a President Elect that has a heart & soul and some find that perplexing!

Jeff an Independent   December 25th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

If we take a cue from Obama himself in Dreams From My Father, he may use the story of Hannah from Samuel (p. 292), or something from "the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and Pharoah, the Christians in the lion's den, Ezekiel's field of dry bones" (p. 294). He has often spoken of being his brother/sister's keeper. He may quote Jesus, "As you have (been merciful) unto the least of these, you have done so unto me". I expect him to speak from his big heart and his deep faith.

Remy   December 25th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

Rituals of this kind will give some more political benefit.

Concerned citizen   December 25th, 2008 8:44 pm ET

How about "the truth shall set you free"!
The day of this great mans swearing in will go down as one of the greatest days of all times and at the same time America will free itself of the worst president and vice president to ever hold office!
The day of reckoning!

go away mongers Ventura ca   December 25th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

"If my people which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves and pray............"

Ed, Santa Fe, NM   December 25th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

WHO CARES?

Rob Redmond   December 25th, 2008 8:42 pm ET

The president, whomever he may be, has always been forced to put up the facade of a devoutly religious man. However, these power-seeking men who become president do this specifically because we the public have so many devoutly religious amongst us. They know we must believe that they want to serve, that they are humble, and that they are like us.

They are no humble, they want power and glory, and they are nothing like any of us. Obama does not know the price of a gallon of milk. He does not shop at your local grocery store. He does not own clothes you or I could afford. His wife's jewelry is worth more than our homes.

Obama's case in particular is hilarious because he had so much trouble with Rev. Wright, but if he is anything like most politicians, he is more Machiavellian and less than religious when it comes to philosophy. I doubt he knows Wright very well, and he has probably joked privately about putting his hand on a Koran at the inauguration just to spin all of us up.

The general public will continue to buy into the marketing these candidates put forward because marketing works. Some believe Obama a socialist or that Bush is stupid, or that Obama is here to save us or that Bush is a true Patriot who saved our country from terrorism.

All are myths. All are false. All are invented images from PR consultants. These two men are very much identical: power hungry, ambitious, loving of attention and comforts, and very much in the pocket of other powerful industry leaders.

There will be no change. The president is not his own man. Understanding power is about letting go of childhood views of politicians.

josh   December 25th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Say " God by any other name is still a GOD. God means Humanity.
God symbolizes good. Thats it .
Nothing more to say.

Stanley Jones-Umberger   December 25th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Separation of Church and State. Do not quote from the Bible or any other work of fiction. Just tell us you'll try to do the best for all the beings that live in America at every opportunity. Shun the hypocrisy of politics. Tax fairly, Spend wisely. Audit everything. Demand accountability.

Juan Grain   December 25th, 2008 8:38 pm ET

Cool Beans!!!

Maggie SC   December 25th, 2008 8:36 pm ET

I think it is wise and a good move for Obama to choose the Bible Abraham Lincoln used and he seems to be usning him for a role model. that is very good for him since he too seems to be trying to heal the gap between the races and bring better relationships and communiucation between us. I will continue to pray for him as he will be out chief in command and we need to pray to God to make him wise and stron for the road ahead. May God bless him and make his decisions with God's choice in mind. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Obama

frank johnson   December 25th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

Psalm 1 : verses 1 – 12

James   December 25th, 2008 8:30 pm ET

I agree with American... those are very good choices. Whatever he picks, I'm sure it will be incredibly appropriate...

earle,florida   December 25th, 2008 8:18 pm ET

Mr. Fluff has so many "BS"lines he could throw darts at a open book,and and it would punch out "Hope" the final frontier.He could paraphrase it like his debates,but careful not to plagerize,...? Sound familiar,...listen up!

Nomore Bush   December 25th, 2008 8:15 pm ET

Why in the hell does anyone have to use a book of mythology to take an oath? Time to end the christian myth.

THE OLD TIMER   December 25th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

recite the ten commandments and then know what they mean..... TELL THE TRUTH..... but he is not smart enough to know how to do that

chuck   December 25th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

To Kenneth of flushing Queens. How much of that dirty stuff did you have for dinner? President Obama RULES.

Texas Teacher   December 25th, 2008 8:06 pm ET

I am sure that whatever Barack Obama chooses... it will be appropriate for him.... and that is all that really matters. Becoming a President is a National thing.... but it is also a very personal thing.

God bless, our new President and his family. God Bless our new VP and his family. :) God bless us all.

Ann   December 25th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

What about Forgive me Father for the lies I used to get elected..

sunshine   December 25th, 2008 8:02 pm ET

If God be for us, who can be against us.

Ravi in MO   December 25th, 2008 7:58 pm ET

Kenneth M.: Barack was born in the United States, in the state of HI. I'm surprised people still don't know this.

Tim E   December 25th, 2008 7:48 pm ET

"It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear."

Even if he is muslim   December 25th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

I hope the country is not that closed minded, I have muslim friends and lived and worked in muslim countries, what a huge section of society to leave out that could be great leaders, lets not let religion keep us from good public servants

Tom D   December 25th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

He was born in the UNITED STATES....get over it. Either you are part of the solution or part of the problem. Obama will give "The people" back the country that Bush/Cheney gave to the Board Room and took from us via Executive Powers. You want more of that?!

Meh   December 25th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

Oh, Kenneth, give it up. He was born in the US.

Ernie in LA   December 25th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

It does not matter. It's all for show. It means nothing. America is trying in every way to put God out of their lives. I am suprised that the Bible is still legal.

Marie   December 25th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

Great!
I love that.

FreeNLovIt   December 25th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

Romans 12v21
DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

Obama is not Lincoln, the Mesisah or Change we need   December 25th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

Why doesn't he use the Bible that Clinton was sworn in on? With all of the Clinton re-treads on his cabinet , it only make since.

Kenneth M. of Flushing Queens   December 25th, 2008 7:20 pm ET

cmars, stick and stones will break you bones so dont let me see you outside. Why are you coming down on me. First off it is colors not colours so dont correct spelling unless you can spell. Next, just because I dont agree with you does not mean you have to hurt my feelings. Obama is a muslim born in kenya.

Kathy50   December 25th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

I think this is wonderful. God bless Barack Obama!

thisisfunny   December 25th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

This guy is such a good boy. Man, The Untouchables are taking over. O(s)bama has a PLAN. 3 million working on the bridge. I hope it doesn't collapse.

Bs   December 25th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Does Pastor Rick Warren know that the Church Age is over ?

Proud American   December 25th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

Wow Kenneth M. of Flushing Queens I see you still haven't got over losing your job as manager of french fries at Jack-in-the-box. I know your mother did a horrible job of raising you but please try to show the AMERICAN President Elect some respect. Village Idiot.

I just read the funniest blog   December 25th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

Some joker was defending the oil industry and complaining about how they are misinterpreted and that we should be grateful and that so many people depend on them

What a bunch of balony, just as the cigarette makers made us dependent, so the oil producers /auto makers don't deserve a bail out or us to be nice to them

The protected oil industry rakes in unprecendented profits and makes no effort to better the American people, just as the auto industry would be better served if it weathered this financial storm by itself, sans bailout, and what ever survived would be stronger

Marc   December 25th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

Kenneth... get a brain, the one you have right now is beyond help.
He was born in Hawaii, which makes him a natural born citizen of the USA even if he was born BEFORE Hawaii became a state (anyone who was born after 1900 or 1901, I can't recall the exact year, in any island of the -now- State of Hawaii is considered American by the law).
The laws of the State of Hawaii forbid the right to anyone, ANYONE, have access to the original documentation of someone who was born there. Could PEOTUS Barak Obama allow the Hawaiians oficials to turn his documentation (whatever name it has) public? It seems that he could, but he definitely shouldn't... To explain and expose himself due to a ridiculous and baseless rumor fueled by bigotry and hate? Keep on dreaming that he'll do that!
Second, he's not muslim if that's what your comment is trying to 'suggest', and by the way the Koran says that the word of God (in the Muslim version) must be spread, BUT NOT AT ANY COST. The fact that... LOSERS who truly believe that their actions will grant them a closer place to God (or 'Allah' as they say) in the afterlife do such horrible things end up tainting the faith they (supposedly) endorse, but a closer look on said faith shows how baseless and stupid is their belief. The Islamism is much bigger than those idiot think that it is, like Catholicism is bigger than what the Inquisition tried to make of it or the Protestantism (and other Christian denominations) is compared to what the KKK think that it is.
Haters exist everywhere and under any excuse.

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   December 25th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

@Kenneth M. of Flushing Queens December 25th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

I am sure he will pick the verse about spreading the religion by the sward. What country was this guy born in anyway?

****************************************************************************

Guy, let me adopt you so that you can use my health insurance to get mental health services.

He was born in Hawaii. Got it?

FreeNLovIt   December 25th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

Wolf captured near tourist part of Great Wall Ben Blanchard
While wolves are believed to have vanished from the Beijing area in the 1950s, about 20 are still thought to live in the mountains to the north of the city, Xinhua said.

This is not a good OMEN. I was told that, traditionally, if an animal comes to your town, something will happen. I think this one year, a deer entered the Chicago O'Hare airport. The next year, a plane skidded off and a child was killed.

Bottomline, you dont ever want to see a wild animal in your neighborhood. It is a bad sign.

Roland   December 25th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

Hmm . . . maybe Bush could suggest a verse . . . perhaps one of the few verses Bush takes seriously. After Bush said he doesn't believe most of the Bible anyway, there's not much left ot believe in anyway. Oh, the darling of the religious white (sorry, I meant right), has disappointed once again. Still following the false prophet (or profit as the case may be) Bush after all these years is really sad. Merry Christmas.

FreeNLovIt   December 25th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

We need some love and forgiveness...

FreeNLovIt   December 25th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

I Corinthians... Love is patient. Love is kind... It does not boast...

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The verse he needs to read....   December 25th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

concerns equality for all people, not just African Americans. Who is Obama to say gays cannot marry? Are they not people under God?
Obama makes himself God when he says gays are not as good as African Americans.

Texas Latina   December 25th, 2008 6:33 pm ET

It may be a sacrilege (to some) to say this, but he could take a cue from the crucified Jesus, in a message to his detractors: Father forgive them....

Kenneth M. of Flushing Queens   December 25th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

I am sure he will pick the verse about spreading the religion by the sward. What country was this guy born in anyway?

Proud American   December 25th, 2008 6:19 pm ET

How about "If God be for you" Or "I can do all things through Christ"

Greg Hodges   December 25th, 2008 6:11 pm ET

" For everything there is a season..."

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   December 25th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

The freaks who still insist Barack is a Muslim don't know what to think about this.

Ah hahahahahahaahahahaahah!

At this moment, I'm not above gloating.

Ah HA HA HA HA!

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@wolfblitzercnn: New SitRoom start time. Beg. mid-Jan, we're on 5-7p ET. Our excellent team can focus on 2 solid hrs. Less becomes more.
Updated: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:45:58 -0800
@psteinhauserCNN: New CNN Poll: Tiger Woods' standing with Americans takes a big hit but there appears to be a big racial divide - http://bit.ly/6dW44s
Updated: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:28:45 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Trifecta -- NOT. My Redskins, Bills and Packers all lose this weekend. Very sad.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:40:09 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @andersoncooper: Interactive: The top 10 Health-Care-Reform Players http://bit.ly/6C3OlX
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:47:50 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @cnn_oppmann: CNN.com: Mexico City approves same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/5RyMnk #mexico
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:46:26 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP