Good news: Bob Scott, a humanist, was sworn in yesterday as Mayor of Franklin, North Carolina. Instead of swearing his oath of office on a Bible, Scott chose to take his oath holding a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

The American Humanist Association Facebook page reports:

Bob Scott, a humanist and AHA member, was sworn in yesterday as Mayor of Franklin, North Carolina. He said, “Last night… Posted by American Humanist Association on Thursday, December 10, 2015

Speaking about taking his oath of office, Scott said:

Last night I decided to take my oath holding a copy of the Constitution because there is so much controversy surrounding separation of church and state. I am a firm believer in keeping religion and government separate.

Reporting on Scott’s statement, the American Humanist Association Facebook page declared:

Thank you, Mayor Scott!

After taking his oath of office, Scott addressed the new board and shared his vision for Franklin in the coming year. Scott said:

I want to welcome back the old board members and especially welcome the new members. You are joining a board that has brought about some innovative changes and new ways of doing things in the Town of Franklin. Many of the old ways of doing things are gone. The attitudes I expect to never hear expressed are ‘we ain’t never done it that way before,’ or ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,’ or ‘we have always done it this way.’ I want to make sure that everyone on this board is always free to say ‘let’s try it,’ or ‘here’s a new way to think or do something.’

This is Scott’s second term as the mayor of Franklin, and by all appearances he is off to a great start.

Kudos to Mayor Scott for taking his oath of office on the U.S. Constitution instead of the Bible. And kudos to the citizens of Franklin, North Carolina, for electing a humanist as mayor.

Bottom line: We need more politicians like Scott, politicians who acknowledge and respect the separation of church and state enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

(H/T WWJTD)