Can't you just put your hand on anything and swear on God directly?
2007-01-03 19:55:42 · 12 answers · asked by tammers 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I state that i am an atheist and I don't have to swear on a bible.
I can hold my crotch if I want to.
2007-01-03 19:58:25 · answer #1 · answered by Mike S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a Christian must testify in court, is it proper for him to place his hand on the Bible and swear to tell the whole truth?
There is no Scriptural objection to doing so, though each person must decide whether to comply or to ask to be excused from this.
The practice of taking an oath while touching some object that is viewed as sacred has been widespread. For example, the ancient Greeks lifted up the hand to heaven or touched an altar while taking an oath. Among the Romans a juror held a stone in his hand and swore that if he were lying Jupiter should cast him away as he then cast away the stone.
Such acts manifested mankind’s inner inclination to recognize that there is a divine power to whom humans are accountable and who observes what is said and done. Certainly the worshipers of the true God, Jehovah, recognized this. And the Bible shows that they took oaths, in the presence of God, as it were, or with him as a witness.
(2 Sam. 3:35; 1 Ki. 2:23, 24; Ruth 3:13; Jer. 38:16)
True worshipers also permitted others to put them under oath.
Genesis 21:22 24; Matt. 26:63.
Sometimes when an oath was taken before God, the one swearing to it also made an accompanying gesture. The angel speaking to the prophet Daniel “proceeded to raise his right hand and his left hand to the heavens and to swear by the One who is alive for time indefinite.” (Dan. 12:7; Gen. 14:22)
Even God spoke of himself symbolically as raising his hand in an oath. (Isa. 62:8; Deut. 32:40) Another gesture that evidently was used in confirming an oath was that of placing the hand under the other person’s hip or thigh. Genesis 24:2, 3, 9; 47:29-31.
Of course, a true Christian does not have to take an oath so as to back up every statement that he makes in daily life. His Yes should mean Yes, and his No, No. (Matt. 5:33-37; James 5:12)
But if in court he is asked to swear that his testimony is truthful, he may feel that he can take such an oath. Or he may be permitted to give an affirmation that he is not lying. Galatians 1:20.
When the courtroom procedure is that of raising a hand or of placing a hand on the Bible when swearing, a Christian may choose to comply, having in mind the Bible examples of accompanying an oath with a gesture. But more important than whether a person makes a certain gesture with his oath is the fact that he is swearing before God to tell the truth. Such an oath is serious. So if a Christian feels that he can and should answer a question put to him in such circumstances, then he is under oath to tell the truth.
2007-01-04 04:01:47 · answer #2 · answered by tigger 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is not everywhere, that's a lie.
The bible says in 2 Chronicles 6:18 - Look! Heaven, yes, the heaven of the heavens themselves, cannot contain you; how much less, then, this house that I have built?
others:
1 Kings 8:39 -39 : ...then may you yourself hear from the heavens, your established place of dwelling...
Matthew 7:2121 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the HEAVENS will.
The verses also show the distinction of where God is when Jesus was on earth...that they are not one but 2 different persons.
As to why a person must swear to the bible I do not really know...maybe the person's conscience gets guilty if he does and admits the truth so it could be a tactic....
2007-01-04 04:10:23 · answer #3 · answered by Tomoyo K 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If God is everywhere, why "God" should not be present in Bible.
Bible is nothing but "Words" of God. So, why should you deny to keep your hand on the "words" of God and swear ?
2007-01-04 04:16:52 · answer #4 · answered by vijay 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The presumption is that you are less inclined to lie by swearing on it. You can always affirm in place of swearing.
2007-01-04 04:33:45 · answer #5 · answered by Stormchaser 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe it's to show that you'll even swear on GOD that your telling the truth.
2007-01-04 03:59:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I placed my right hand on the bible and swore that I did not believe in god. Talk about your contraditions.
2007-01-04 03:57:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
That's human creation not God's
2007-01-04 04:12:33 · answer #8 · answered by Kyo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This just comes from tradition, you dont have to do it if your not christian. You just have to raise your right hand and take an oath.
2007-01-04 04:02:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is: that You DON'T 'have-to' 'swear' on anything but Your own honour,... in fact,... Jesus FORBIDS doing so. (even on Your own head)
2007-01-04 04:01:49 · answer #10 · answered by Realistic Viewpoint 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋