Much ado about nothing, IMO. The act of being "sworn in" means that the oath being taken is the most sacred and inviolable thing this person can do. I would expect the person taking the oath to swear to honor it using that which is most sacred to that person. In the case of a religious person that would be to the Almighty of his/her persuasion. But if that person were atheist/agnostic and chose simply to swear on his/her honor, it would have the same weight with me, and bear the same consequences.

The militant atheist is just as troublesome to me as the fundamentalist religious person. Live and let live. Obama swearing to God represents no threat to them. As long as he doesn't try to impose it on them, or treat them differently because they don't share those beliefs. Tolerance cuts both ways.

And no, I do not think anyone should be forced to swear on a bible or to a god, if it is not in their belief system.

All the best,

Mick