2006-09-27 06:41:03 · 24 answers · asked by G 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Most courts do not make anyone put their hand on a bible. They just require people to raise their hand and take an oath. The oath traditionally required people to swear to tell the truth "so help me God," but if someone objects to that the court will let the person affirm under penalty of perjury that he is telling the truth. Even some religious people may object to using the term "swear" so the oath most commonly given today allows people to "swear or affirm" that they are telling the truth.
2006-09-27 06:46:14 · answer #1 · answered by rollo_tomassi423 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If a court happens to still use the Bible, anyone can choose not to swear upon it.
2006-09-27 06:45:54 · answer #2 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they do. But you are allowed to refuse the use of the Bible, and can refuse to state "So help me God."
Did you know that the word testify comes from ancient Rome? In those days, one would place their hands over their testes and swear to tell the truth - or lose what they were holding!!
2006-09-27 06:44:08 · answer #3 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We don't swear on the Bible in Ky's courts.
2006-09-27 07:22:08 · answer #4 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt even raise my right hand. silly superstition
No you dont have to swear on the bible. You can affirm an oath, which is a nother silly superstition. Making an oath doesnt make a person honest either.
2006-09-27 06:42:33 · answer #5 · answered by CJunk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the bible shouldn't even be in the court. there's no place for it there. remember "separation of religion and state" but they will still make him swear on it
2006-09-27 06:43:20 · answer #6 · answered by crl_hein 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They don't have to if they don't want to.
As a Pagan, I was able to just hold up my right hand a few years ago when I was called to be a witness in court.
2006-09-27 06:55:44 · answer #7 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never been to court, so I don't know.
But as an atheist I really don't care. It is just an empty symbol of formality.
Btw, "atheist" is not capitalized.
2006-09-27 06:46:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can just swear at the Judge, that way you get more time!
2006-09-27 06:44:03 · answer #9 · answered by Michael 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you were as intelligent as you would like people to think, you would realize they don't use the bible in a courtroom anymore.
2006-09-27 06:56:08 · answer #10 · answered by stullerrl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋