just wanted to know if you still have to swear on the holy bible when asked to take the stand in court. and what about if you are a jew or muslim to you then have to swear on the equivalent of our holy bible
2006-12-24 04:23:25 · 18 answers · asked by villacork 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's an excellent question!
You can decline to swear upon the Bible in court and still swear to tell "the whole truth and nothing but the truth."
However, human beings being subject to prejudices might find someone's refusal to take oath on the Bible as sketchy.
It would, because of human nature, prejudice all or some of the jurors' opinion of the witness. Hey, this person isn't a Christian or won't swear on the Bible...How can we trust 'em?
Quakers are Christians, and it is against their faith to swear any oaths at all. They don't swear on the Bible.
The Bible is pretty generic, but you can't bring the Old Testament or Koran for Jews and Muslims.
I personally disagree with requesting witnesses to swear on the Bible. It is very outdated, but it's nothing that will disappear in a hurry. A lot of people (especially in the South--the Bible Belt) would really protest it.
In many countries, like France and Sweden, witnesses are not asked to swear on a Bible. They are asked to swear on the Constitution.
2006-12-24 04:30:07 · answer #1 · answered by srebeck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Due to people contesting such swearing, there is an alternative oath that can be taken. Many courts over time have even ceased using the Bible entirely, however, in those that have not, it cannot be required and the alternate must be made available.
Surprisingly though, it was Christians, not non-christians, who had this practice altered, because many denominations recognize the passages wherein Jesus basically forbids swearing an oath on the word of God and thus considered this to be more against their religion than not making non-Christians swear on their Bible.
Gotta hand it to Christians on this one -- seems some of 'em knew their Bible. Pity more don't.
2006-12-24 04:28:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you do, but isn't this a contradiction in the separation of church and state? If kids can't say the Pledge of Allegiance anymore because it has the word God in it, then why is the bible still in use in court. Very good question......
2006-12-24 04:29:09 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2006-12-24 04:27:52 · answer #4 · answered by Ms.JackInTheBox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! You are just UNDER OATH to say the truth.
If you are found to have lied, then you could face some steep charges for lying after you SWORE to tell the truth!
2006-12-24 04:27:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You just need to swear to tell the truth and such. No books involved.
2006-12-24 04:35:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can chose whatever holy book you want, or just affirm to tell the truth (UK)
2006-12-24 04:25:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU HAVE TO SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO PLACE YOUR HAND ON THE BIBLE.
2006-12-24 04:28:46 · answer #8 · answered by bettys 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this is no longer America. they were forced to take the bible out of court.
2006-12-24 04:25:59 · answer #9 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No you do not, and in many countries it was never a legal requirement to begin with.
2006-12-24 04:25:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋