Swearing on the Bible and the Military Oath

Another interesting argument is that, since people (including the incumbent President) must swear on the Bible, Christianity is an integral part of the framework of the US government.

The last paragraph of Article VI of the Constitution clearly states the following:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Swearing on the Bible is not a federal requirement, and would conflict with the 1st Amendment. Likewise, when giving the oath of enlistment or appointment, soldiers are given the choice of swearing religiously, or affirming secularly. The portion of the oath stating "So help me God" is also optional, and enlistees can choose to replace or simply not say that part of the oath.

Precedence shows that witnesses in court have been able to swear on other articles of faith or affirm non-religiously.