2007-02-10 14:10:00 · 16 answers · asked by Caitlin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm sure many have taken that oath of telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth, by placing their hand upon the Bible.
Nowadays, I'm sure they would refuse to do so... I feel for those souls.
2007-02-10 14:12:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
The Judeo-Xian bible is a fetish: a magic object. It's use was orginally to bring the physical Wrath of God down on anyone who was not totally honest in a court of Law or Church, they being basically inseparable until relatively recently in European history.
In Canada, we recognise diversity as one of our rights and strengths. Therefore, we may now choose to use the Bible to swear in court or for other legal functions, or we may affirm and avow without it. If selected, one can also use other Holy books for the same purpose, such as the Koran or Torah.
I'm a witch, and we have no 'holy books' per se, so when I was being sworn in to serve the local police force, I simply affirmed and avowed. The other two new recruits took the bible oath.
We're so egalitarian up here.
2007-02-10 22:24:41 · answer #2 · answered by treycapnerhurst 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, an atheist man does not have to swear on a Bible in court. Neither does an atheist woman.
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2007-02-10 22:22:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I guess there isn't much of a point. He's pretty much swearing on something he doesn't believe in, and he could lie through his teeth if he wanted to, but hey people that do believe in God and swear on the bible still lie as well, no difference really.
2007-02-10 22:13:43 · answer #4 · answered by ~carmie~ 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
No. Swearing on a Bible is not required. The person only has to swear that he or she will tell the truth when testifying.
2007-02-10 22:12:42 · answer #5 · answered by itsallsogoofy 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No... I go frequently for work (expert witness) and I've never been asked to swear on a bible. There is no alternate oath... you swear under penalty of perjury. Believe you me, don't piss of a judge!
I always tell the truth.
2007-02-10 22:15:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
This is what the Bible says about swearing.........
Matthew 5:34-37.....However, I say to YOU: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is God’s throne; Â nor by earth, because it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Â Nor by your head must you swear, because you cannot turn one hair white or black. Â Just let YOUR word Yes mean Yes, YOUR No, No; for what is in excess of these is from the wicked one.
2007-02-10 22:15:46 · answer #7 · answered by papa G 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
a lot of courts these days dont have you swear on a bible - simply because of the diverse beliefs.
2007-02-10 22:13:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
No. Some people just swear it and others will use the Constitution.
2007-02-10 22:17:50 · answer #9 · answered by Laura 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Swearing to tell the truth without basing it on Biblical morals is a difficult concept, but I think there's an alternitive.
2007-02-10 22:13:49 · answer #10 · answered by Doug 5 · 1⤊ 6⤋