I’ve always found it interesting that affirmation is seen as the secular alternative to swearing on the Bible, when it’s actually some branches of Christianity that are most vehemently opposed to swearing oaths. I don’t know where swearing on the Bible even came from if the Bible is so clear about it. Did the church ever condone it or was this something thought up by vaguely religious politicky types who wanted a serious promise no-take-backsies style and didn’t ask the cleric if it was alright?