Nothing in the Constitution requires any public official to swear an oath on the Bible, nor is that document based on “the God of the Holy Scriptures.” It is a charter for secular government.

The tiny southeast Asian country of Brunei has adopted a harsh legal code that calls for stoning to death anyone found guilty of engaging in same-sex relationships, adultery, abortion [or] blasphemy. 

In effect, the Alabama prison’s policy is that a Christian inmate has the right to receive spiritual solace from a member of his faith – but members of other faith traditions or those who seek secular counselors can be denied that same right.