2006-08-09 11:30:10 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No. They just removed the bible & the "So help you God" from the swearing in and nothing else changes because you swore an oath to tell the truth on the record so you can be prosecuted for perjury if it's proven that you lied under oath.
Occasionally you can identify a religious court reporter who will still use the "so help you God" at a deposition. But if you ask they have to give you the oath w/o.
2006-08-09 11:39:57 · answer #1 · answered by communion6 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in Delaware, and yes, they still swear you in on the Bible. I was so upset in court that I did not even think about it (and I am a Wiccan).
As far as things go, swearing to tell the truth should be enough. The hand on the Bible thing is an old symbolic concept.
2006-08-09 18:46:46 · answer #2 · answered by Amy S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not an atheist, but whenever I have been in court, I have never been asked to place my hand on the Bible.
And I've been asked "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" (no "so help you God.")
Guess that is one of many reasons why why the courts are getting so much heat.
2006-08-09 18:37:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not required to swear on the bible, or invoke god, when you're in court. Most courts don't do it at all any more.
2006-08-09 18:34:42 · answer #4 · answered by extton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be more than willing to swear at the bible.
2006-08-09 18:39:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bibles are not used in US courtrooms.
No one is required to do anything with the bible.
2006-08-09 18:34:48 · answer #6 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol, yep! and i refused. so i had to swear on my states "laws" book. which was fine..i swore on the book to uphold the laws within it.
*was testifying, not the defendant, small claims court, i was a traffic accident witness.*
and for everyone else...i live in the South! your bet your @ss they still try to get away w/that sh!t!!
2006-08-09 18:54:59 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. here in Australia you swear to tell the truth or in other words you make a vow to answer questions honestly.
2006-08-10 02:49:37 · answer #8 · answered by wollemi_pine_writer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they can swear on 'Moby Dick', or some other fictional work of classical literature.
2006-08-09 18:37:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they don't. They make a statement to say they will tell the truth.
2006-08-09 18:36:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋