let someone testify. That wont swear to tell the truth.
2006-10-11 10:47:58 · 22 answers · asked by Witchy Woman 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You seem to be implying that atheists are less moral or trustworthy than someone who would swear on the bible. Well, chew on this for a little while. Christians make up about 75% of the US population and 75% of the US prison population. No big surprise there.
Atheists, on the other hand, make up about 10% of the US population... but they make up only 0.2% of the US prison population. Now, isn't THAT a surprise? That means that atheists are FIFTY (50) times LESS LIKELY to be incarcerated than Christians. Pretty strange, huh, for a group that has no god-given guiding moral principals?
I can think of only two possibilities that might reasonably be said to account for this discrepancy:
1. Atheists are of a higher ethical and moral caliber than Christians, and thus are less prone to do the same kinds of nasty things that land so many Christians in the slammer;
OR,
2. Atheists are, overall, a lot smarter than Christians and thus, they are less likely to get caught in the course of their transgressions.
It's GOT to be one or the other... take your pick.
2006-10-11 10:55:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
An atheist would probably refuse to swear on the Bible, but that doesn't mean s/he can't take an oath (or make an affirmation) to tell the truth. Swearing on the Bible is no longer required in most courtrooms.
2006-10-11 11:52:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why wouldn't I swear to tell the truth? If you're talking about swearing to god, or on the bible, they don't really do that in court. It's simply "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" Why wouldn't I?
2006-10-11 10:50:42 · answer #3 · answered by The Resurrectionist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An atheist "confirms" -
I hereby confirm that I will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
What makes you think that somebody "swearing" is any guarantee they will tell the truth? People lie under oath all the time, not everybody is a Christian, and not all Christians tell the truth, even under oath.
2006-10-11 10:52:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rarely anymore does one have to swear on a bible to tell the truth. They now may raise their hand and do that. Religious affiliation or lack thereof plays no part in court proceedings.
2006-10-11 10:52:30 · answer #5 · answered by genaddt 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In KY they don't ask you to swear. I was on Jury Duty and not once saw anyone "swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth". They're given papers to sign that state they are legally bound and if they lie, they will be prosecuted.
2006-10-11 13:40:55 · answer #6 · answered by Kithy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People are no longer required to swear on the bible. They just have to swear to tell the truth.
2006-10-11 10:50:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most courts don't make you swear on a bible anymore, If I were in that position I'd tell the truth.
2006-10-11 10:50:09 · answer #8 · answered by Hellsdiner 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We would tell the truth but how can we place our hand on a bible that means nothing to us .
How many people who were believers Swore on the Bible and still committed perjury .
Why isn`t there a penalty of DEATH for being caught lying after placing your hand on the bible and still lying ( For believers only )
Why would a believer lie if he really believes God is in court witnessing his testimony?????
2006-10-11 10:54:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even cristians shouldn't swear to anything - the bible says let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no". In other words, just tell the truth. Somebody swearing to something doesn't gaurantee honesty or factuality at all.
2006-10-11 10:52:42 · answer #10 · answered by petezsmg 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋