Oh it doesn't mean what it says, it's symbolic? Ok well change it to something more literal.
My wife has to take this silly oath next week to become a citizen, to her it just seems odd/silly. But mouthing some empty promise is the least humiliating part of the whole immigration/citizenship process so nothing worth getting flustered over. If it's optional, no thanks, if it's mandatory, god save the queen and and give me my paperwork.
Luckily in Victoria it's optional, just like swearing on a bible. So no fuss, just someone having a little integrity and not shaming the city with a lie or empty promise. I'm not enraged that pam took the oath, it's optional, it's her business. I don't think she's making a political grandstand, just choosing to take an oath she (hopefully) believes in. I'd rather someone be honest and either take or not take the oath based on their actual personal beliefs than feel they need to do it or not to earn political points with a group.
Many people seem to be thinking by not taking the oath people are making a scene, doing it for attention or to earn political points with their base. Can we not even entertain the idea they are simply trying to be honest and not lie to the people of Victoria? If I don't swear on a bible I'm not trying to be edgy, or make a political statement or flaunt that Im not a christian, I'm doing it because swearing on a bible would be meaningless at best and a lie at worst. I won't insult Christians by swearing on their bible, and they won't insult me by judging or shaming me for not doing so.
Can we not shame helps or others for exercising their same right? I don't want a monarchist to ever feel shame for swearing loyalty to the crown, nor should the reverse be true. Just leave it as a non-issue choice, no circus around it.
Now if helps and the others were doing this purely to make a scene, purely to create a media storm and score points with their base that would be sad and I'd understand people throwing some criticism their way.
Edited by Baro, 05 December 2014 - 12:23 PM.