Or anyone who chose not to do it?
Would they be forced to do it?
Could the judge order them to do it?
Would they're testimony be affected?
2007-01-01 15:16:30 · 9 answers · asked by Evel Man 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes an atheist can refuse to swear on the Bible. There is an oath that you will have to take to tell the truth that is just as legally binding, but there is nothing that says you HAVE to use a Bible to swear in on.
2007-01-01 15:24:47 · answer #1 · answered by Diana P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I have been sworn into local offices or been a witness in court, there has never been a bible. It is the context of the swearing which is important. It certain areas, like courts a person swears to tell the it is a legla commitment and if you lie the judge can impose a penalty. No bible is required.
However, if an individual wishes to do their swearing on a bible (or other book) it is their choice.
2007-01-01 15:59:36 · answer #2 · answered by Randy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Courts can now not require someone to swear on the bible. Case has been set as precident that forestalls courts from doing so legally. We (atheists) have the alternative of putting forward quite than swearing on the bible to inform the truth. some courts in some states (frequently in smaller cities or smaller citys) nevertheless have bibles accessible, yet i do not ignore that in Washington State (I stay in Seattle) we do not. We simpy swear to inform the truth (no "so help me god" in touch") every time i'm sworn into to testify. inspite of the indisputable fact that i latterly heard a listening to in Idaho (Mountain abode) that extensively utilized the "so help me God" word. i'm not an popular criminal by ways, i'm a legal Assitant by career, and characteristic volunteered as an recommend to youngsters contained in the courtroom device for the merely good 12myears or so. I easily have in all likelihood testified both in human being or over the phone about 2 dozen cases.
2016-12-01 10:18:21 · answer #3 · answered by binford 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing you can be ordered to do is to take an oath to tell the truth. It's called an affirmation. No bible or any other kind of book is necessary. If you refuse to do that, it's contempt of court.
And most courts don't use a bible anymore anyway.
2007-01-02 14:11:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there a US Court somewhere where they actually bring a Bible into the courtroom?? That's definitely unlawful as it flies in the face of separation of Church and State as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution.
Yes, you can absolutely refuse as an Atheist to Swear on the the Bible!!
In fact, in my state, when swearing in a witness, the court clerk will say, "Do you swear to tell the truth, so help you God OR under penalty of perjury?"
2007-01-01 15:27:00 · answer #5 · answered by mosha9999 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they can refuse. The judge can not force them, They take some other kind of oath and it should not affect their testimony.
2007-01-01 15:26:16 · answer #6 · answered by thrill88 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In most states you can affirm that you are telling the truth under penalty of perjury. At one time that might have affected the jury, today, probably not.
2007-01-01 18:38:21 · answer #7 · answered by mattapan26 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are no rules about what book is used for the swearing on process.
2007-01-01 15:52:43 · answer #8 · answered by brendashubby35 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes everyone is given thier rights based on there personel belief. and no one is forcing them to anything
2007-01-01 15:30:31 · answer #9 · answered by 0_0 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋