Anybody else has/had problems with..

[Sven 0]

I am going to omit that part if I can. I am very much against saying this for various personal reasons. Anybody else has/had these feelings?

Also, I still don't know what to wear ( I'm a guy ). Some say Jeans, some say no way you can wear Jeans... What did you wear for the swearing in ceremony?

Thank you!

[NickD 202]

If you read your oath letter, says no jeans.

Our forefathers have used this God thing in the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, on the money we earn and pay taxes with, so you may look upon God as being the spirit that formed this once great country. Wouldn't mind if we returned to that spirit instead of this dog eat dog #######.

[v333k 59]

I am going to omit that part if I can. I am very much against saying this for various personal reasons. Anybody else has/had these feelings?

Also, I still don't know what to wear ( I'm a guy ). Some say Jeans, some say no way you can wear Jeans... What did you wear for the swearing in ceremony?

Thank you!

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think if you wish to alter the oath, you need to schedule your own private oath session. If you take it with the rest of the people, then you will have to "I do" to whatever the officer reads out loud.... i.e. the original oath....

Edited May 17, 2010 by v333k

[Sven 0]

I am an atheist and anti religion. Just in January the ruling was reverse and this phrase was deemed acceptable...again.

Honestly, I don't give a ####### if "Our forefathers have used this God thing in the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, on the money we earn and pay taxes with, so you may look upon God as being the spirit that formed this once great country". It's clear what they want to say. It's not really about any "Spirit". But as long as I don't have to say it myself and can say " I do", I'm alright with it. It's too bad that it is that way. lol once great country?

Haven't gotten the letter yet. Can't say. I thought someone could tell me what they wore. But I'll just wear a suit then.

Thanks

Edited May 18, 2010 by Sven

[txdutch 0]

I am an atheist and anti religion. Just in January the ruling was reverse and this phrase was deemed acceptable...again.

Honestly, I don't give a ####### if "Our forefathers have used this God thing in the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, on the money we earn and pay taxes with, so you may look upon God as being the spirit that formed this once great country". It's clear what they want to say. It's not really about any "Spirit". But as long as I don't have to say it myself and can say " I do", I'm alright with it. It's too bad that it is that way. lol once great country?

Haven't gotten the letter yet. Can't say. I thought someone could tell me what they wore. But I'll just wear a suit then.

Thanks

You can wear nice pants (khaki, dockers or colored pants) together with a button down shirt or a polo shirt, I thinks that's what most men wear but it's actually not something you should be worried about. Just wear something you like and feel comfortable in.

[v333k 59]

I am an atheist and anti religion. Just in January the ruling was reverse and this phrase was deemed acceptable...again.

Honestly, I don't give a ####### if "Our forefathers have used this God thing in the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights, on the money we earn and pay taxes with, so you may look upon God as being the spirit that formed this once great country". It's clear what they want to say. It's not really about any "Spirit". But as long as I don't have to say it myself and can say " I do", I'm alright with it. It's too bad that it is that way. lol once great country?

Haven't gotten the letter yet. Can't say. I thought someone could tell me what they wore. But I'll just wear a suit then.

Thanks

About the dress code... here are some other members who posted some pictures....

You can get an idea of what they wore...

This first link, you can see people in the room and get a general idea of what they wore...

second and third links aren't going to be useful but thought of including them...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/241720-atlanta-naturalization-interview-oath-ceremony/page__hl__pictures

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/224772-my-oath-ceremony-today-detailed-with-pic-fort-worth-texas/page__p__3435074__hl__ceremony__fromsearch__1entry3435074

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/246716-oath-ceremony-picture/page__p__3797210__hl__pic__fromsearch__1entry3797210

I guess a semi-formal should do the trick....

[NickD 202]

Seems like what you share with people that are very religeous as a atheist and anti-religionists is having very strong convictions on this subject, just find it ironic in that nobody honestly does not know for sure. Let's just leave it as that is your problem and you are free to deal with the USCIS however you wish to. I just tried to soften the reasons why this country does things the way it does. The only recorded evidence of you saying the oath is on your N-400 application that you read aloud and signed your full name in the witness of your IO. Did you make an issue out of it then and refuse to sign it? Oath ceremony is just lip service.

Nothing more American than wearing jeans and have no idea why the USCIS makes an issue out of it. If you see any guy wearing a suit at a USCIS field office, 9 times out of 10, they are an immigration attorney, its their dress code.

[NickD 202]

Ha, "One nation under God" with any president we had in the last 50 years, all thought they were gods. All depends upon how you interpret these phrases.

Bad enough trying to get USC without these kind of hangups.

[ace13 0]

If you don't agree with the oath, you should not have filed to become a citizen.

[claudio 0]

I agree with Ace13, the US is one of the few countries that allow people to come and keep their languages, schools, newspapers etc. Any other country either you learn the local customs and change to them or take the highway. Dont like the Oath? dont take it

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I like Christian values. I also like how enthusiastic they were in hunting down those red-haired witches and burned them on the stake.

Thankfully, God, the Father, Ghost, and Holy Spirit personified in One, was with them when the flames consumed their bodies, so at least they had a chance to repent their sins, and all came to a good ending when they could join the Almighty in Heaven. Their bodies charcoal in color, but their souls must have been happy.

Yup. Christan values.

I venture to guess that more people were killed due to Christan values, than in all wars combined.

[v333k 59]

Well - as this topic is evolving into something different - we should all take a step back and remember how wonderful and great it is to be in a country that allows the freedom of religion (or lack of). Some other countries persecute others solely on faith, race, sex and even disabilities.

We should not feel negative against the OP, because he is merely practicing his rights....

[NickD 202]

Was interesting to watch CBS's NCIS Ziva saying the oath last Tuesday night to get her US citizenship with her co-workers present. As usual, her boss, Gibbs, didn't show up, he always has other pressing problems. Oath was verbatim from the N-400 that you have to sign in front of your IO, but that is the, "so help me God" thing at the end.

Apparently, Ziva doesn't have problems bearing arms for this country as she shot and killed a couple of bad guys the night before. That was a problem my wife had with the oath. But lately been hearing her say, wish someone would shoot Chavez for what he is doing for her former countrymen, just reply, would be more effective if they lock him up in one of his prisons and throw away the key.

One nation under God, is not part of the oath you have to sign, but a part of the Pledge of Allegiance that is normally said at the oath ceremony. Being raised in a very strict Catholic environment I was expected and demanded of me to show more respect to the flag, then to Jesus Christ when drafted into our military. You are not required to sign for the Pledge of Allegiance. To me, the flag was just a symbol of our nation, but in the military was treated as a god, and even more important than my life or the life of my buddies. A symbol of our country for our ideals, principles, and freedom you certainly did not partake in if drafted into the military.

Then to have a degree of paranoia set in where my life is cheaper to the country dead than alive and wasn't really defending my mom, brothers, or sisters, but some corrupt government we somehow got involved in. But what the hell, I was born here, so this is also my country. Really had the ####### scared out of me after my first full time job making an error on my federal income taxes, an honest error, but thought I was going to go to prison, what's this about freedom? So I started to pay crooks to do my taxes for me, at least they would go to jail and not me.

Getting close to June 1st, time to make another 650 buck deposit into a special account to cover my property taxes, if I don't pay them will auction off my home and toss me out into the street, already seen this happen with crooked government officials, super lazy government workers, that are robbing us blind. Can't fight this and when I tried, the IRS is also at my door, this things should be far more important to you than any mention of god. The injustices we have in this country that should be addressed. Then the college tuition expenses skyrocket because the state says all that federal money is going to Iraq, so they have to charge us a lot more, getting screwed twice and by our government. Certainly no consolation that this god will make all these crooked people we have running our government go to hell, a lot more interested in today. This god thing is all BS anyway.

But anyway, if you are interested in One nation under God, here is a brief history:

"

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.

In its original form it read:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Section 4 of the Flag Code states:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute."

The original Bellamy salute, first described in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who authored the original Pledge, began with a military salute, and after reciting the words "to the flag," the arm was extended toward the flag, palm-down.

At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the flag the military salute — right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. Standing thus, all repeat together, slowly, "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." At the words, "to my Flag," the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.

The Youth's Companion

, 1892

Shortly thereafter, the pledge was begun with the right hand over the heart, and after reciting "to the Flag," the arm was extended toward the Flag, palm-down.

In World War II, the salute too much resembled the Nazi salute, so it was changed to keep the right hand over the heart throughout."

What's really crazy about this, the Soviets were never a communistic country, but a dictatorship led by one maniac killer guy that was responsible for killing over 25 million of his own people. When I see God used, consider HIM to be more of a scapegoat for the many corrupted politicians that always seem to be in charge of our lives. Have to blame somebody, might as well be God. If there even is a God. If we want freedom, we are going to have to fight for it and demand it. Seems like recently that battle is here at home. The trillions of dollars wasted over a 40 year cold war, and recently, our own personal safety has many of our freedoms taken away.

Don't feel God is the issue, we have more important issues to deal with if we want freedom.

[jcrom 2]

Hello my friend, this is my opinion. You don't have to say those words because your religion background; I'm pretty sure that you are not the only one or the only person who is going to receive the U.S. citizenship that day; so I don't think that the whole sights and survaillance is going to be over you, in my humble and personal opinion. Hence, I think that you don't have to say those words that day, you withold them back and you keep saying the other words. That is my personal opinion, thanks and bye,

[csoul 0]

Sven I am with you. All this "In god we trust" in the bills, oath and everything is not true because "we" is not everybody. In fact even in the instructions of the N-400 Form you can read that if you have a good reason to avoid those words you can write a letter and the officer during your interview can approve your petition. Is what I am going to do.

Good luck.