Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Home › News › Local News

RTD director asks that 'God' be cut from oath of office

When panel suggests phrase be optional, he says 'that's fine'

Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 14, 2007 at midnight

Text size  

More Local News

More stories »

God is on our money, in our Pledge of Allegiance and in the oath of office for governor.

But God could miss the bus.

An RTD director has asked that the phrase "by the ever-living God" be removed from the oath of office taken by the 15 members of the transit district's board of directors.

It's part of an update to the RTD board's bylaws that will come up for a vote next week.

Dave Ruchman, who represents parts of Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and Edgewater, made the proposal.

But his colleagues weren't about to bless it.

Instead, a board committee on Tuesday recommended that the phrase be said at the option of the person being sworn in.

"This is real personal. But to me, when you have God in there, it really makes you consider the position you're about to hold," said Director Lee Kemp.

Ruchman, who was not at the meeting, said later he would be satisfied with making the reference to God optional.

"If they want to make it optional, that's fine with me," Ruchman said.

"That may be the best way to handle it. We have bigger fish to fry at RTD than this."

Ruchman said he proposed the change during the bylaws review because a board colleague - past or present, he wouldn't indicate - had confided in him that it was uncomfortable.

"I felt this was something we needed to discuss," Ruchman said.

Debates have raged over taking "In God We Trust" off U.S. currency or deleting "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I wouldn't say it's disappearing from public life. But particularly in areas with increasing religious diversity, that phrase and phrases like it are falling out of favor," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

But an official for Focus on the Family said calling on God is an integral part of an oath.

"Without a reference to God, an oath is practically worthless," said Tom Minnery.

The wording of various oaths

God is a part of many oaths of office. RTD directors are debating whether to make a reference to God an option in their oath.

Oath of vice president of the United States, senators, representatives and other government officers:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) . . . that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God."

Oath of enlistment and oath for commissioned officers:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic . . . so help me God."

Oath of Colorado governor:

"I do solemnly swear by the ever-living God that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Colorado and will faithfully perform the duties of the office of governor of the state of Colorado, upon which I am about to enter."

Oath of RTD directors:

"I do solemnly swear by the ever-living God . . . that I will faithfully perform the duties of the office of director of the Regional Transportation District to which I have been elected/appointed."Sources: U.S. Army Center Of Military History; Joint Congressional Committee On Inaugural Ceremonies; Colorado Governor'S Office; Rtd

or 303-954-5247