CSUF position and an interesting issue.
CSUF has a position open that I qualify for, and I'm thinking of applying for it. However, there is included on the application a statement that a loyalty oath will be required for employment.
So, I went looking to find what the loyalty oath involved. Here it is (the pdf form)(also CA Constitution[para 2 of the oath is unconstitutional, but it's still part of the CA Constitution] ):
I, ______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter.
So what would be the issue with this? Nothing much - except for this little bit: "I will bear true faith and allegiance to..."
That sounds like a state religion.
But, that's prohibited by the US Constitution, so I have to wonder what this particular set of verbage actually means. I've read online somewhere that a court in Sacramento held that this particular oath only says that one will uphold the Constitutions of California and the United States. Now, I'd be okay with that, if I could find the court opinion they're talking about.
I've got until January 5 to file the application, so I have time, but I'd really like to know what the affirmer of such a statement is affirming before I apply for the position.
So, I went looking to find what the loyalty oath involved. Here it is (the pdf form)(also CA Constitution[para 2 of the oath is unconstitutional, but it's still part of the CA Constitution] ):
I, ______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter.
So what would be the issue with this? Nothing much - except for this little bit: "I will bear true faith and allegiance to..."
That sounds like a state religion.
But, that's prohibited by the US Constitution, so I have to wonder what this particular set of verbage actually means. I've read online somewhere that a court in Sacramento held that this particular oath only says that one will uphold the Constitutions of California and the United States. Now, I'd be okay with that, if I could find the court opinion they're talking about.
I've got until January 5 to file the application, so I have time, but I'd really like to know what the affirmer of such a statement is affirming before I apply for the position.