On Dec. 1, Jessica Fitzwater will raise her right hand and take the same oath of office as her fellow incoming council members.
But there will be one difference in her pledge before friends, family and elected officials: The book under her left hand will not be the Bible.
Fitzwater, who is Jewish, said she's not interested in replacing the Bible with a Torah. Instead, she is thinking of taking the oath on the Frederick County charter or some other government document that will represent her commitment to public service.
"I think it's more appropriate to swear my oath on something I will be upholding. I'm not upholding the teachings of the Bible. I'm upholding the charter or the Constitution," said Fitzwater, who will represent Council District 4.
Fitzwater said she has always supported the separation of church and state but only recently resolved on taking her oath of office on a nonreligious document.
I think I have a new political hero.
If only more politicians would make this choices, and let their constituents know that they are rational people, who will make decisions based on the rule of law, and not the superstitions of man, I think the world would be a far, far better place.
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