Lawsuit to use Quran for courtroom oaths may proceed
By The Associated Press
01.17.07
RALEIGH, N.C. — A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and a Muslim woman over the use of the Quran and other non-Christian texts for courtroom oaths in North Carolina should be allowed to go forward, the state Court of Appeals ruled yesterday.
A three-judge panel voted unanimously to reverse a trial court decision that had dismissed the challenge to state law and policy. Currently, only the Bible can be used by witnesses when swearing or affirming truthful testimony.
2007-01-17 18:38:41 · 11 answers · asked by larry.fowler40 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Whether or not people want to use different texts to swear upon is irrelevant. You are not required to swear upon a Bible. The oath is the oath, Bible or not
2007-01-17 19:29:59 · answer #1 · answered by pure_genius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In response to the above, it's also part of the laws of the land that those same laws can be re-interpreted and even changed when situations arise that the founders could have never anticipated. So saying "Well that's just the way it is, like it or go home." is pretty much one of the most ignorant arguments a person can possibly make.
From a more logic oriented perspective, swearing someone in on the holy text of their chosen religion (the freedom of which we guarantee) makes more sense than just forcing everyone to use the Bible. If you don't recognize the Bible as a religious text, then what do you care if you make a promise on it? If you're a Christian and you made a promise over the Quran, would you give a crap? Or would you just consider it a tricky loophole, the intellectually moral equivalent of crossing your fingers behind your back.
And for atheists, I suppose only the fear of repercussions from breaking perjury laws will encourage them to tell the truth. Not that a fear of God keeps countless self-proclaimed Christians from lying their *sses off if it gives them a better chance of escaping legal punishment.
2007-01-17 18:52:23 · answer #2 · answered by J C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The stated purpose of a trial is to attain the truth of the matter at hand. This can only be done if the witnesses tell the truth. The oath, given on the Bible, is sort of an exclamation point for this absolute need to tell the truth. An atheist, or a Christian, for that matter, is relying on their own honesty. Far too many are not honest, regardless of what book they swear an oath over. That's why innocent people sometimes die in death chambers.
2007-01-17 18:52:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For court purposes, an it is not necessary to swear on a bible (or other religious book), simply to affirm that you will tell the truth under penalty of perjury. Quakers, for example, have religious objections to oaths, so will not swear on a Bible. They will, however, affirm that they will tell the truth under penalty of perjury. An atheist making an identical affirmation is no different. Courts in many states do not use a Bible or any other book for their oaths.
2007-01-17 18:52:21 · answer #4 · answered by Eric 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why in the hell are Bibles still even in court? They expect you to tell the truth by swearing on a book of fiction? Not to mention that Church and State are not supposed to be combined. The Fore Fathers are rolling over in their graves right now.
2007-01-17 18:48:23 · answer #5 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not a question of what you believe. It's a question of truth and justice. The swearing "to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help me god" is just a traditional exercise by the courts.
2007-01-17 18:49:17 · answer #6 · answered by Willie Boy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No more swearing on bibles where I live (in the U.S.) They just have to promise to tell the truth.
2016-05-24 02:36:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what ever religion you happen to be, they should let you swear on the appropriate text and if your not religious, well, I guess you're outta luck. Maybe they can use an old copy of national geographic for you.
2007-01-17 18:53:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is part of the law of our land the USA in a court of law, if a person chooses to live here they must abide by the laws of our land, not there own.
2007-01-17 18:42:41 · answer #9 · answered by Cat 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I wouldnt touch that damn thing. dirty book of lies.
2007-01-17 18:42:49 · answer #10 · answered by fuck 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋