If you're an atheist, testifying in a US court of law, and you swear on the Holy Bible to tell the truth is your oath worth anything? Are there other ways of swearing people in? Just curious, thanks for the insight.
2007-01-18 05:12:39 · 11 answers · asked by Kelly 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I believe there are other ways to swear atheists in. For instance, the traditional oath is usually (though not verbatim) "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God." Sometimes, the so help you god clause will be taken out. Or sometimes, you will just raise your left hand and not put your other hand on anything. Below is an article that is happening in Congress that may shed some light on your question. Even though it applies to swearing in Congressmen, I'm sure it is still relevant to your question
2007-01-18 05:29:03 · answer #1 · answered by billnewman19 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're not an atheist swearing in on a Bible, is your oath worth anything? The Bible doesn't stop people from lying.
2007-01-18 05:20:15 · answer #2 · answered by pinwheelbandit 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there are other ways of swearing someone in. Your attorney just needs to let the judge's clerk know that before the person is sworn in and they are given the same oath without the Bible being involved.
2007-01-18 05:49:35 · answer #3 · answered by Starla_C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to swear on the bible in a court of law you only have to raise your right hand and swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth under the penalty of perjury.....you need to stop watching television and get into the real world
2007-01-18 05:20:41 · answer #4 · answered by Love always, Kortnei 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the bible is just for show from very old case law. It's more like a court ritual now. If the atheist has a problem with it, they can swear upon something else: the flag, the Criminal Code or something to that effect.
2007-01-18 05:24:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the swear part that counts. Most, if not all, states do not even use a Bible. You are taking an oath of truthfulness, and it basically rests on your shoulders, not any holy book your hand sits on.
2007-01-18 05:20:10 · answer #6 · answered by FelixtheCat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swearing on the bible would mean nothing to an atheist. However, swearing to something in general might, depending on the person's personal values. I don't see any difference because when a Christian swears on the bible you have to assume that they value their Christianity.
2007-01-18 05:21:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You swear on an Iron Maiden album in case you've been an Atheist. In court docket once you swear on the bible it truly is no longer only swearing to God quite. in the journey that they realized you're mendacity they manage you as an outlaw no longer as an atheist. Now the judges gained't take your words as information only for swearing on Bible or the different holy e book. He/she ought to guage them and tell no matter if or not they are genuine or no longer. So in some courts it truly is nonetheless a convention no extra to swear on the Bible. And in my u . s . a . (it truly is basicly muslim and christian), christians swear on Bible and Muslims on the Quran.
2016-11-25 01:32:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Research has found that far more Christians lie on the stand after the oath than do people who are not superstitious.
2007-01-18 05:26:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
One is allowed simply to affirm that one intends to "tell da troot and nuttin' but da troot, so he'p me". lol Yes, one can be sworn in without a Bible, and yes, it's called "affirmation".
2007-01-18 05:28:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋