U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
433 Russell Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

August 10, 2001

Dear Senator Leahy,

I write to you as the Executive Director of the American Humanist Association, the oldest and largest organization promoting Humanism in the United States. Claiming the support of leaders like Kurt Vonnegut, Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem and Stephen Jay Gould, who was 2001's Humanist of the Year, the AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive moral outlook which embraces all of humanity, but does not happen to be based on a belief in a higher power.

On behalf of the AHA I thank you for your recent use of the secular oath when swearing in nominees and others who testify in front of the Committee on the Judiciary.

Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions goes too far in asserting that the Senate should require witnesses to add, "so help me God" to their oaths when presenting testimony. I am particularly troubled to hear that Senator Sessions may embark on an effort to make such language a part of the Senate rules. The Constitution itself does not require such religious wording, providing only for an "oath or affirmation." Further, the Supreme Court ruled in 1961 in Torcaso vs. Clerk Watkins that a state could not require a belief in a deity as a condition for exercising public office.

Several Christian denominations do not approve of oaths; and neither theists nor non-theists should be required to say anything incompatible with their conscientious beliefs. Religious belief or expression should never be coerced. While Senator Sessions is correct in asserting that non-theists are in the minority in this country, we hope you and other responsive leaders in our nation's capital will continue to stand-up for the millions of Americans, theists and non-theists alike, who object to government mandated religious expression.

Sincerely,
AHA Executive Director
Tony Hileman