put ur hand on the bible when the the bible has to do with god and we really dont know if theres a god so it is really hear say and hear say is not allowed in court
2006-06-05 21:52:48 · 15 answers · asked by ATXgirl 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
This is a hot topic today, considering the secularist attacks on some of our (U.S.) society's traditional practices...
However, I believe most courts will allow you to swear in "...under penalty of perjury" as opposed to "...so help you God."
2006-06-05 22:05:28 · answer #1 · answered by Saint Christopher Walken 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a symbolic gesture, you nitwit. We all know there's no way to know absolutely whether or not someone is telling the truth, so we swear on a holy text to represent the idea that if a person is lying under an oath sworn around a religious text that it constitutes a major taboo, since any rational person, regardless of thier views on religion, can respect the sanctity of a higher power.
Now go back to the sandbox, little Jenny. The grown-ups have grown-up things to talk about.
2006-06-06 01:11:11 · answer #2 · answered by ishotvoltron 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't HAVE to put your hand on the bible. You can swear on the flag or any other symbol you wish, just let the court officers know in advance. However, in a christian country, the bible signifies the truth, as the kuran does in muslim countries.
2006-06-05 21:55:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's not hearsay. hearsay is when you testify to a truth but didn't witness it yourself, but instead are testifying to what someone else told you.
the use of the bible to swear in witnesses is nothing more than a tradition that's been passed down and if there's one thing the courts know, it's tradition.
2006-06-05 21:57:08 · answer #4 · answered by jibba.jabba 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to use a Bible and you don't actually have to "swear", you can promise or "solemnly affirm".
And "hear say" would be you testifying that you heard someone say something which is not allowed.
2006-06-05 22:16:57 · answer #5 · answered by quntmphys238 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a tradition from the early days of our country, when it was taken for granted that everyone was a Christian. I don't think the founding fathers foresaw the diversity we would have today LOL.
2006-06-05 21:56:42 · answer #6 · answered by Mizbehavin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so when atheists go into court, can they be held liable for perjury, cos' even if they swear that ridiculous oath to some fictional story character named god, they don't believe in the character anyway, so what is the use...,
2006-06-05 21:57:51 · answer #7 · answered by getafix 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do believe theres a god, but you have an excellent point.
2006-06-05 22:00:37 · answer #8 · answered by lovemykalli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You swear so if you lie, you get charged with perjury.
2006-06-06 03:54:11 · answer #9 · answered by DollyLama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tradition, its happened for hundreds of years and just cause of a couple of sceptics (You) it isnt all going to change
2006-06-05 21:55:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋