New Zealand Prime Minister Takes Non-Religious Oath of Office Without Bible

By Hemant Mehta

New Zealand just swore in its 40th Prime Minister, 37-year-old ex-Mormon-turned-Agnostic Jacinda Ardern.

Hours ago, she took her Oath of Allegiance (her oath of office) and Executive Council Oath.

And to the delight of non-religious people around the world, Ardern didn’t include the phrase “so help me God” at the end of either one. Nor did she place her hand on the Bible when she said them.

She also replaced the word “swear,” which could have religious overtones, with “solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm.”

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