They make you put your hand on the Bible in court. I think this is very disrespective. First, it indirectly makes it seem that the Bible is promoting human law. Some people feel too strongly about the Holy Bible to even consider swearing on it. That puts God's book on a level that it shouldn't be. Next, many of people are not Christian. It means nothing to them to swear on just another book. That is even more disrespectful. Since it is a U.S. court, shouldn't we be swearing on the Constitution or something like that? I think it would make much more sense, since these people on trial are all US citizens to make them swear on their own country.
2006-12-07 08:38:26 · 6 answers · asked by I scream for ICE CREAM!! 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
wmcritter, it does still happen.
It happened to me yesterday.
2006-12-07 08:54:51 · update #1
There has been a story in the news recently (within the past few weeks of this post) about a Muslim group that wanted to donate some Qurans to a court for use in swearing in Muslim witnesses. The judge, however, refused siting the fact the state law requires witnesses to be sworn in using the "holy scriptures." The judge interprets "holy scriptures" as meaning the Bible and says that it is not his place to change this. If people want to use something else then it is up to them to pressure the legislature to change the law.
Personally, I think that such laws should be changed. In my mind, the whole purpose behind placing one's hand on the Bible and swearing to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God" goes beyond merely making a legally binding oath. It adds the dimension of this being a covenant with God. Thus, not only is the liar subject to legal punishment for perjury, but he is also subject to eternal punishment for lying to God. If the witness does not consider the Bible to be holy then swearing on it is not as binding as swearing on something that he does consider holy.
Obviously, with an atheist, it would not matter what you used, if anything. They do not believe in divinity or an afterlife. So, oaths before deity would have no real meaning to them. We would have rely entirely on the threat of legal actiIt's not just atheists who who might have this isue. There are any number of Christians who believe that the Bible forbids them to swear on it or by it. Others also object to the use of the word "swear". So the Bible is now optional in court, and may not even be offered. Additionally, the witness may use an alternate oath involving the word "affirm". The effect is the same: to put the witness under the penalty of law for a lie. on to insure their honesty.
2006-12-07 08:45:00 · answer #1 · answered by Brite Tiger 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good point, unless the text in question has some personal meaning for the person taking the oath then it has very little meaning. Also it gives credence to the people who would love to turn this country in to a theocracy with biblical law as the law of the land. (Worked well for Iran). Look at the Christians who got all up in arms about our first Muslim congressman swearing in using the Qua ran. The US is NOT a theocracy. The founding fathers put laws in place to guard against it. Although they held a belief in God they were very wary of organized religion and the dangers of imposing a particular belief system on the country as a whole. I agree have a generic, swear to do the best by ones country oath.
2006-12-07 08:51:58 · answer #2 · answered by Marj 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the Greek mythos, fable method tale or phrase. Mythology is the research of fable. As reports (or narratives), myths articulate how characters suffer or enact an ordered series of parties. Obama is doing matters his method and for a few motive convincing the Democratic House and Senate to head in conjunction with his preposterous strategies or even passing a horrible stimulus plan that none of them learn. I surprise what historical past will say approximately Obama. Will the historians inform the reality approximately his management and the man or woman he's or will they ice it over with chocolate icing. Every ex-president has a library. It has matters in there which are well matters they've performed for America at the same time in workplace. I surprise what Obamas library shall be like. What myths shall be informed.
2016-09-03 10:46:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's your choice to do so. That crap is just an old fear tactic that has became a habit in the courtroom. People probably don't even think of it as swearing over the bible anymore. If someone is facing even a year and they are guilty as hell... They will swear over a bible then blurt out their defense on how they didn't do it.
2006-12-07 08:44:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is just a meaningless tradition. Christians swear on the Bible and lie anyway.
2006-12-07 08:44:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anti-illegals are out to get me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That was done away with a long time ago. They only show it in movies and TV now, but it doesn't really happen.
2006-12-07 08:47:39 · answer #6 · answered by Aegis of Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋