Does it really count in court when an atheist is sworn in under oath using a Bible?

Question

not atheist just curious

Answer 1

I don’t think so. How can you swear on something you don’t believe in? what’s the point?
“Do you swear, on this piece of work that you consider fiction, to tell the truth as you know?” that doesn’t sound right.

In stead all religions should have their book in the court rooms. That, or we should be asked to swear on our own recognances, beliefs, or ideology that you follow.

I won’t swear on a Bible. I think that would offend all the people that follow it, and since I don’t believe in I would have already committed perjury if I did do it.

Answer 2

Swearing an oath upon the Bible is optional in most courts, and many don't even offer a Bible for that purpose. This isn't just for atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. Some Christians object to swearing on the Bible, or swearing an oath at all. Witness may use an alternative oath involving the word "affirm". Anyway, the effect is the same: to put the witness under the penalty of law for telling a lie on the stand.

Answer 3

Yes it counts, and in most states and federal court the bible is optional. I've asked to swear on a copy of the constitution and they are OK with that.

I actually think that it's unfair to religious people to force them to swear an oath to their God for something that has nothing to do with religion. It's like the government is trying to use people's religions to manipulate them. If I was religious that would actaully make me quite upset.

Answer 4

Does it count when an atheist says "God help me", or "Jesus Christ", or "Goddammit", or "oh, God", or even "what the hell", or "hell, yeah"?
Evidently, this question has been asked alot...and as yet, nobody has come up with a real answer.
My guess is, if he gets caught lying in court, he's going to be guilty of perjury, just like anyone else, in spite of the fact that he doesn't believe in the Bible he took his oath on. How unfair is that?

Answer 5

Yes. Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. for instance you can say,"i don't believe in gravity, it's won't pull me down to earth because i said so." now, jump off of a building and no matter what you believe, you're going down!
And, the words you say in court are what hold you responsible, not the bible. you could be sworn in on "Lord of the Rings" and it wouldn't change anything. i think.

Answer 6

You no longer have to swear on the Bible, and yes, you are still legally under oath no matter what your religion or lack thereof.

Answer 7

In Korea, 1951, a soldier stole a pistol. A Korean testified at his trial, but his testimony was tossed, because he wasn't a Christian, and he couldn't honestly swear on a Bible.

Don't trust your soul, to backwoods southern lawyer.
The judge and the jury got blood stains on their hands...

Does Jim Crow really count...?

Answer 8

Nowadays the bible is just for show in america with many people not even being christians. If they don't care about lying in the name of god than they should at least care about going to jail for it. Just ask Lil Kim lol.

Answer 9

When I testified in court, no bible was handed to me. I was just told to repeat, "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"

No bible, not even God was mentioned.

Answer 10

i imagine that the practice of creating human beings swear on a Bible is previous, offensive, and a contravention of the structure. It assumes that anybody holds Christian values, and not in any respect anybody in this u . s . a . is Christian. besides to, honesty isn't a Christian fee in and of itself. that's a human fee. If something, we ought to continuously swear on a replica of the structure.