why do they ask that if everybody knows people lie onthe stand their lawyer tells them to make up a b.u.l.l.s.h.i.t story. why do they have to swear to tell the truth if they know they won't do it. what if a person is an athiest or what if they don't swear on bible because of religion or what if they don't swear are they still forced to do so?
2006-12-13 12:56:18 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think that people should not swear on God, not only because people still lie, but because in the Bible, God says not to swear in court. He wants our answers to be true, and not have to swear that we are saying is the truth. You're right, people who don't believe in God, aren't going to take their oath seriously.
2006-12-13 12:58:59 · answer #1 · answered by Milwaukee_Baby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As soon as human society started to require testimony from its members, the need arose to insure the speaker's truthfulness. Of this need was born the ancient custom of oath-taking, or swearing to tell the truth. In antiquity, oaths were effective, because gods would strike dead anyone falsely swearing in their name. It's a fact.
Our modern oath works a bit like that, too. Once you are sworn, you are subject to punishment for any statement you know to be false. Lying under oath is called perjury. It should be avoided without exception. Perjury can also amount to contempt of court. Both offenses are crimes, punishable by incarceration.
Swearing is universal. Whether you are standing before a judge, seated at a deposition, pleading in front of the local planning board, or providing testimony to the U.S. Senate, you will be "sworn," "sworn in," or "put under oath," depending on local parlance. Usually, this means that you will be shown a Bible and asked to place your left hand thereon and to raise your right. When asked to do so, reflect for a second, as nervous witnesses often raise the left.
If you don't believe in God, or if you don't swear (for religious or other reasons), you have the right to affirm, or give an affirmation, that you will tell the truth. This just means that the swearing official (usually a court officer or clerk) will ask you if you affirm, rather than swear, that your testimony will be true. Some courts forget to offer this option; don't fret - you may feel free to tell the judge or official, "I will affirm."
Certain religions prohibit testifying against another person in any circumstances. If you subscribe to such a faith, tell your attorney or the judge at the earliest moment.
2006-12-13 13:00:11 · answer #2 · answered by Toberlone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what gets me is...they made everyone remove any religious pictures, statues and everything pertaining to religion, because of separation of church and state, and it is a federal law....Federal workers can not even say God Bless you with out fearing a suspension, but step into a court and the law changes, they now want you to use religion to swear upon a Bible, why can they break the law that way?
but if we do it, we get fined and go to jail ! !
not fair I say !
so the next time I am in court and on the witness stand I am going to say no I am not putting my hand on the Bible until you get me paper work stating it is legal to do so...
I do realize they want you to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.. so help you God!...
smile
good luck
2006-12-13 13:05:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
scares people that don't know any better to tell the truth. Bible says not to swear (take oaths, not the other kind) so swearing on it or to god is a huge contradiction anyway.
2006-12-13 13:04:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they dont use a bible any more, but you say the same thing "do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god"
2006-12-13 12:58:51 · answer #5 · answered by karma_goddess84 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To record that your testimony is in fact the truth. Later if you give false testimony and are caught you can be further discredited and charged with purgery. It's basically informing you.
The god part is just a vestigial tradition. In our modern day, it's already been removed in some places.
2006-12-13 13:11:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is because of the things that you feel inside. Because you will think of it for a really long time. Also they are trying too like scare you into telling the truth.
2006-12-13 13:00:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm not atheist yet, Heretics? a splash stable dont you think of? as far because of the fact the white lie...i'm specific you will possibly experience alot worse in case you reported no, good? Or a minimum of i wish i'm good.
2016-10-14 21:50:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
good point it is offensive to those without the god of christianity(typo) you just refuse and swear on somthing else i havent been in the "stand" so you might swear on somthing else but i wouldnt know
2006-12-13 12:59:26 · answer #9 · answered by bloodbane 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if you lie you are taking the lords name in vein in a way. So you will burn in hell if you don't forgive yourself when you lie under oath. If you are atheist you don't care.
2006-12-13 12:59:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋