what if you don't believe in that bible?
and same thing happens when the president gets ignagurated....
does that mean that you are allowed to lie or something, and shouldn't they change that rule!
2007-01-03 12:45:30 · 12 answers · asked by pba_ams_eahb 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
you don't have to swear on a bible. You merely have to "swear or affirm" that you will tell the truth.
Ten years as a trial attorney and i've never seen a court room with a bible in it unless it was brought in clutched by some scared witness.
2007-01-03 12:55:19 · answer #1 · answered by Zarathustra 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When the new conservative government was sworn in a year ago here in Canada all the new ministers carried a Bible, and took the oath on the Bible, except for one. She neither carried one nor did she use the words "So help me God" at the end of the oath.
There are also some that I know of who, when attending a hearing, when asked "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God?", have answered "I so declare." When they were asked again, the answer was, "I do not swear. I so declare!" The judge advised the court officer to "drop it. The oath has been taken." So this is changing. It is based on Christ's words, "Do not swear by anything in heaven or on earth, but let your answer be yea or nay."
2007-01-03 21:15:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is an abundance of contradictions and corruption of Scriptures in the Bible and this should disallow the Bible from being associated with telling the truth.
The Court itself allows deceit for defending clients and the Law is loopholed for appeals so the Court knows the Bible is a farce, but its a way of making a living off the ignorant and the exploited.
2007-01-03 20:52:07 · answer #3 · answered by mythkiller-zuba 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on your religion. You swear on what your religious beliefs are. Muslims don't swear on the Bible in court...
Besides, you can just raise your hand and say "I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God".
Not sure what non-believers do about the "so help me God" part...
2007-01-03 20:50:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about in the states, but when I was in a court house here in Canada, as they were preparing to swear people in they asked them what they would like to be sworn in on, they have a variety of different religious texts present, as well as something secular, I don't remember what exactally, but I believe it is the constitution or perhaps the Chart of Rights and Freedoms.
2007-01-03 21:44:46 · answer #5 · answered by karbear35 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are allowed to swear to tell the truth. How would you expect a Muslim or Jew to put there had on the Bible.
Mankind is getting everyone to tell the truth, by Any means.
2007-01-03 20:51:05 · answer #6 · answered by Ignatious 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I never thought of that. Got to check that one out. It isn't just putting your hand on the Bible, you are asked, "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" and you are supposed to say, "I do".
2007-01-03 20:49:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The President doesn't have to be sworn in on the Bible (in fact one president, I forget who), was sworn in on a bound copy of the US Constitution. Article VI of the Constitution prohibits any religious tests, so that would prohibit requiring any member of the government to be sworn in on a particular religious text, including the Bible.
I had to be sworn in at court; I was never asked about a Bible, wasn't offered one, nor did I end it with "so help me God".
2007-01-03 20:49:20 · answer #8 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually there is a long standing legal precedence that you don't have to use the bible, they have other religious oaths handy, as well as a secular one, and you're pretty much allowed to make up one yourself if you'd like - many people don't realize that all you have to do is ask.
2007-01-03 20:49:37 · answer #9 · answered by daisyk 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They don't use a book most places anymore. There also is no requirement for it for any federal office. In fact, the very first act of Congress was to remove the references to God in the oath that they took. And I bet you thought they were all Christians.
2007-01-03 20:50:53 · answer #10 · answered by Alex 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋