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13,828
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1
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to the constitutionality of this particular clause. Not
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2
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that it will affect the Constitution itself, but it
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would affect this particular oath.
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Second, we had struck out Article 37 that
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5
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required no religious test other than the declaration of
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6
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belief in the existence of a God from our previous
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7
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Constitution because we were instructed to by the Supreme
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Court.
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9
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Third, the Committee on Declaration of Rights
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10
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did not report this oath out with the belief, or the
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affirmation of God even in parentheses. It was included
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12
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in an amendment and not part of that Committee report.
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13
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I could be facetious and say that after the
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14
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last time this was discussed, I received many oaths, many
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15
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of which said "In the presence of" and fill in the blank,
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and the blanks were numerous.
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There are many who believe in other forms of
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a Supreme Being than we do, and I feel that this could
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be a reflection on the one who may refuse to use these
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parenthetical words. That is the reason that I felt
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that I should bring this up this last time before the
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