Before they take the stand they have to take an oath and repeat the lines, "so help me god" But if someone doesn't believe in god, how can this still have meaning. I would have much more fear of the judge and would want to say "so help me judge" Because he could have a say in my future more than god could.
2007-01-18 14:23:04 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The "so help me God" part only gets said on TV.
YOu don't have to take a religious oath in a court room--you can simply affirm that you will tell the truth.
2007-01-18 14:33:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's called a "summons" or a "subpoena." You are served with a summons, you wear your good suit, you go to the courtroom, you are called to the stand, you tell the bailiff you wish to take a civil oath, and you swear to tell the truth. Period. Where did you get the idea it was more complicated than that? In spite of the best efforts of the religionists, atheists are citizens, too, with all the same rights and obligations.
2007-01-18 22:43:03 · answer #2 · answered by link955 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow this is actually a very good question. I hadn't really thought about it. I guess it's like an Athiest can spend the money that says 'In God We Trust', so he can swear to him too. But we all know that even a Christian swearing on that Bible doesn't mean they'll tell the truth either. It's probably more...how it's always been done and to change it would disrupt the smooth operation.
I find it more interesting how you can't have the 10 commandments displayed outside the courthouse but yet it's normal practice to swear on The Bible.
2007-01-18 22:29:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are secular oaths that can be substituted at many courts. For example, "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, under penalty of law?" The secular oaths make more sense, when you think about it.
2007-01-18 22:28:55 · answer #4 · answered by godlessinaz 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist, you just affirm.
So now I suppose you can see why the official swearing in of elected officials does not include any religious references. That's why it's perfectly acceptable for someone to swear in on the Quran in a private ceremony.
Given the behavior of many religious leaders, you can see why the system doesn't put its faith in Faith.
That's why perjury is a law on the books.
2007-01-18 22:34:32 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The atheist would be more inclined to just let their yes be yes and their no be no.
You can take an oath without the word 'god' if it matters that much.
2007-01-18 22:34:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perjury is still perjury. Whether a person lies in court or not has little to do with whether or not they swore an oath on a book.
2007-01-18 22:28:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The god part isn't compulsory.
2007-01-18 22:34:04 · answer #8 · answered by eri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't know how they could since they don't believe in God.
2007-01-18 22:26:54 · answer #9 · answered by B"Quotes 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yup!!!
SOCIETY HAS GOTTEN OVER THAT. They use cross examination instead of religion to deal with the problem of dishonest witnesses
2007-01-18 22:25:53 · answer #10 · answered by rostov 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋