Since Washington’s time, there has been a constitutional requirement that the President of the United States take an oath or affirmation before beginning the execution of his office, declaring that he will faithfully fulfill his duties as president.
When he is sworn in on January 21st, President Obama will use two Bibles, one that was owned by Lincoln and the other a “traveling Bible” used by Martin Luther King during this ceremony. Though not a novel idea, three past presidents took oaths using multiple Bibles. However, it will hold a highly symbolic meaning bringing to remembrance the equality issue both men struggled with as leaders.
Originally, Atlanta pastor, Louie Giglio, was fingered by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to deliver the invocation at the president’s inauguration (customarily done by clergy). Reverend Giglio has been around a while and a cause near to his heart is combating human trafficking. He recently raised over 3 million dollars toward this effort and this was a big part of why he was invited to give the prayer.
Then a liberal website by the name of Think Progress posted an audio of a sermon Giglio gave 15-20 years ago where he called homosexuality a sin. Think Progress called his sermon “vehemently anti-gay” and then, the PIC back peddled when they caught wind of the sermon and stated they were unaware of Giglio’s stance when he was chosen. They said his position did “not reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our county at this Inaugural.”
The purpose of this blog is not to do battle over homosexuality. Giglio simply declared a viewpoint, something he knows to be true, and said it and he ultimately stepped back from giving the invocation; who knows, perhaps done under advisement from the Lord.
The definition of an affirmation is to assert that something exists or is true. So, I would like to ask the president what it means to him when he puts his hand on a Bible. What do you declare to be true and whom are you trying to please, man or God?
Katie Altobellis
