So help me God
Encyclopedia
So help me God is a phrase often used to give an oath
, and most commonly required as part of an oath of office
. It is also used in some jurisdictions as a form of oath for other forms of public duty, such as an appearance in court, service as a juror, etc.
The essence of the phrase is a request to divine agency to render assistance (help) by being a guarantor of the oath taker's own honesty and integrity in the matter under question, and by implication invoking divine displeasure if the oath taker fails in their duty in this regard. It therefore implies greater care than usual in the act of the performance of one's duty, such as in testimony to the facts of the matter in a court of law
The use of the phrase implies a greater degree of seriousness and obligation than is usually assigned to common conversation. See the discussion on oath
s for more details
the Oath of Allegiance
is available in two forms, only one of which contains the phrase 'so help me god.'
requires this phrase for the oath of allegiance
, and before service to the republic from the President's office or Vice-President's office, a ministerial position, or a judicial position.
, they would proclaim "Et qu'ainsi Dieu me soit en aide."
the Oath of Allegiance
is available, in English or Maori in two forms, one an oath containing the phrase 'so help me god' and the other an affirmation which does not. The Police Act 1958 and the Oaths Modernisation Bill still includes the phrase.
phrase is "" or "." It has been used in most version of the Polish Army oaths
, however other denominations used difference phrases.
instead of an oath. An affirmation, however, has exactly the same legal effect as an oath.
, the no religious test clause
requires that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." However, there are federal oaths which do include the phrase "So help me God," such as for justices and judge
s in .
The phrase "So help me God" is explicitly prescribed in oaths as early as the Judiciary Act of 1789
, for U.S. officers other than the President. Although the phrase is mandatory in oaths, the said Act also allows for the option that the phrase to be omitted by the officer, in which case it would be called an affirmation instead of an oath: "Which words, so help me God, shall be omitted in all cases where an affirmation is admitted instead of an oath."
, the first president, added this phrase to his oath. However, all Presidents since Franklin D. Roosevelt
have used this phrase, according to Marvin Pinkert, executive director of the National Archives Experience.
(officially referred to as the "Oath of Allegiance," 8 C.F.R. Part 337 (2008)), taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens, includes the phrase "so help me God"; however provides that the phrase is optional.
and officers both contain this phrase, however it is not required to be said if the speaker has a personal or moral objection, as is true of all oaths administered by the United States government.
, witnesses in court, notaries public
, and state employees. Where this is still the case, there is the possibility of a court challenge over eligibility, as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Torcaso v. Watkins
, 367 U.S. 488 (1961), that such state-law requirements violate citizens' rights under the federal Constitution.
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
, and most commonly required as part of an oath of office
Oath of office
An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations...
. It is also used in some jurisdictions as a form of oath for other forms of public duty, such as an appearance in court, service as a juror, etc.
The essence of the phrase is a request to divine agency to render assistance (help) by being a guarantor of the oath taker's own honesty and integrity in the matter under question, and by implication invoking divine displeasure if the oath taker fails in their duty in this regard. It therefore implies greater care than usual in the act of the performance of one's duty, such as in testimony to the facts of the matter in a court of law
The use of the phrase implies a greater degree of seriousness and obligation than is usually assigned to common conversation. See the discussion on oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
s for more details
Australia
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
the Oath of Allegiance
Oath of Allegiance (Australia)
In Australia the Oath of Allegiance and the Affirmation of Allegiance are oaths of allegiance made to the monarch of Australia. Both are defined by the Constitution of Australia....
is available in two forms, only one of which contains the phrase 'so help me god.'
Fiji
The Constitution of Fiji, Chapter 17Constitution of Fiji: Chapter 17
Chapter 17 of the Constitution of Fiji is named "Schedule Oaths and Affirmations." It is the last chapter of the Constitution. It sets out oaths and oaths of offices to be taken by politicians of Fiji.-Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance:...
requires this phrase for the oath of allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
, and before service to the republic from the President's office or Vice-President's office, a ministerial position, or a judicial position.
France
In medieval France, tradition held that when the Duke of Brittany or other royalty entered the city of RennesRennes
Rennes is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France. Rennes is the capital of the region of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department.-History:...
, they would proclaim "Et qu'ainsi Dieu me soit en aide."
New Zealand
In New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
the Oath of Allegiance
Oath of Allegiance (New Zealand)
The New Zealand Oath of Allegiance is defined by the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957. All Oaths can be taken in either Māori or English form. It is possible to take a affirmation, which has the same legal effect as an Oath.-Oath:...
is available, in English or Maori in two forms, one an oath containing the phrase 'so help me god' and the other an affirmation which does not. The Police Act 1958 and the Oaths Modernisation Bill still includes the phrase.
Poland
The PolishPolish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
phrase is "" or "." It has been used in most version of the Polish Army oaths
Polish Army oaths
The following is a list of the Polish military oaths, both historical and contemporary.-Contemporary:This oath is in current use in the Polish Armed Forces.PolishJa żołnierz Wojska Polskiego,Przysięgam,Służyć wiernie Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej,...
, however other denominations used difference phrases.
The Philippines
In the Oath of Office of the President of the Philippines, the phrase "So help me God" is mandatory. Though the phrase can be omitted voluntarily, in which case it would become an affirmationAffirmation in law
In law, an affirmation is a solemn declaration allowed to those who conscientiously object to taking an oath. An affirmation has exactly the same legal effect as an oath, but is usually taken to avoid the religious implications of an oath...
instead of an oath. An affirmation, however, has exactly the same legal effect as an oath.
United Kingdom
The Oath of Allegiance set out in the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 ends with this phrase, and is required to be taken by various office-holders.United States
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the no religious test clause
No religious test clause
The No Religious Test Clause of the United States Constitution is found in Article VI, paragraph 3, and states that:This has been interpreted to mean that no federal employee, whether elected or appointed, career or political, can be required to adhere to or accept any religion or belief...
requires that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." However, there are federal oaths which do include the phrase "So help me God," such as for justices and judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
s in .
The phrase "So help me God" is explicitly prescribed in oaths as early as the Judiciary Act of 1789
Judiciary Act of 1789
The United States Judiciary Act of 1789 was a landmark statute adopted on September 24, 1789 in the first session of the First United States Congress establishing the U.S. federal judiciary...
, for U.S. officers other than the President. Although the phrase is mandatory in oaths, the said Act also allows for the option that the phrase to be omitted by the officer, in which case it would be called an affirmation instead of an oath: "Which words, so help me God, shall be omitted in all cases where an affirmation is admitted instead of an oath."
Presidential oath
There is no law that requires Presidents to use a Bible or to add the words "So help me God" at the end of the oath. There is currently debate as to whether or not George WashingtonGeorge Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, the first president, added this phrase to his oath. However, all Presidents since Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
have used this phrase, according to Marvin Pinkert, executive director of the National Archives Experience.
Oath of citizenship
The United States Oath of CitizenshipOath of citizenship (United States)
The United States Oath of Allegiance is an oath that must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens...
(officially referred to as the "Oath of Allegiance," 8 C.F.R. Part 337 (2008)), taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens, includes the phrase "so help me God"; however provides that the phrase is optional.
Military
The oaths of enlistmentOath of enlistment
thumb|A Marine re-enlists in the Marine Corps taking the Oath of EnlistmentUpon enlisting in the United States Armed Forces, each person enlisting in an armed force takes an oath of enlistment required by federal statute in...
and officers both contain this phrase, however it is not required to be said if the speaker has a personal or moral objection, as is true of all oaths administered by the United States government.
State laws
Some of the states have specified that the words "so help me God" were used in oath of office, and also required of jurorsJury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
, witnesses in court, notaries public
Notary public
A notary public in the common law world is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business...
, and state employees. Where this is still the case, there is the possibility of a court challenge over eligibility, as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Torcaso v. Watkins
Torcaso v. Watkins
Torcaso v. Watkins, was a United States Supreme Court case in which the court reaffirmed that the United States Constitution prohibits States and the Federal Government from requiring any kind of religious test for public office, in the specific case, as a notary public.-Background:In the early...
, 367 U.S. 488 (1961), that such state-law requirements violate citizens' rights under the federal Constitution.