If church and state are supposedly separate, why do we swear to tell the truth with our hand on a christian?

Question

bible in a court of law in the U.S.?

Answer 1

It's a leftover majoritarian tradition, but affirmation is sufficient. The Supreme Court has ruled that government may not require a person to swear to any belief he or she does not hold. Witnesses have the option of affirming that they will tell the truth, without reference to the Bible or God.

Answer 2

"If church and state are supposedly separate, why do we swear to tell the truth with our hand on a christian?"

Uh...Because it's so much fun??? *evil grin*

Yes, I know that's not the whole question.

But, seriously. You don't have to swear on the bible everywhere - in most courts you can simply affirm that you will tell the truth.

But it's an interesting question nonetheless. Did you know that it's not just atheists who object to the practice of swearing on the bible? Various religious groups have objected to the taking of oaths, most notably the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the Mennonites.

In fact, it's really something Christians ought not to do. The Apostle James said, "Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned."

I understand that there are a few courts left in the United States that do REQUIRE an oath sworn on the bible, but I'm under the impression that this is being challenged.

Answer 3

Constitutional Law allows for certain changes to be made, in accordance with the understanding that the person is swearing (or affirming) to tell the truth:
* A Quran may be used by a Muslim
* A person may simply hold up the right hand and promise to
tell the truth.

This is necessary for the proceedings to have relevance, and also to later form the basis for purjery charges, if it is found the testificant had been untruthful.

This is by no means a violation of the separation of Church and State; rather it is meant to conform to the person's conscience.

Answer 4

I took an oath in a court of law and did no such thing. Neither did anyone else in the whole affair. I simply raised by hand, swore to tell the truth, and put my hand down. That was it. But maybe it varies by jurisdiction.

At any rate, if I were in a jurisdiction that did things that way, I would refuse to take any oath using religious language or objects, and I would be more than in my rights to do so.

Answer 5

Not everyone does, a 1961 U.S. Supreme Court decision guaranteed oath-takers the freedom to conscientiously object to religion or the swearing of oaths.

Answer 6

You may swear in on any holy text you so choose. Courts are mandated to have an Oath of Truth that does not require the use of a holy book or to use the word 'swear'.

The use of the holy book portion of swearing in sees less and less use in public courtrooms.

Answer 7

1) Nowhere in the Constitution is there a phrase anything like "Separation of Church and State"

2) Anyone may simply "swear or affirm" to tell the truth - no hand on any book is required.

Where DO you people come up with this stuff???

Answer 8

truthfully what he's asserting is that as a replace of attempting to cajole others that what you assert is genuine by making use of swearing to a minimum of a few thing else, merely be common and common each and every of the time. no ought to cajole the guy by making use of attempting to hold some thing into it that may not yours besides and making use of it to make you look greater common. So it is not an instantaneous order to on no account swear yet that as quickly as we try this it ought to bring about evil and deception. some might sense incorrect approximately doing it in courtroom or everywhere and those human beings shouldn't flow against their faith. jointly as others ae loose to and understand that they are being common and merely practising the custom interior the courtroom. Romans 14 talks relating to the liberty & flexibility we've and how distinctive human beings might come to distinctive conclusions on concerns of prepare like what they might eat, which day to worship etc. We merely shouldn't decide and not stress human beings to flow against their faith. The center have faith is in Jesus, and he works with each and every human beings in my view. desire this facilitates.

Answer 9

A Christian Bible is not required. Many Jews swear on their own Torah. A newly-elected member of congress was recently sworn in on his Koran.
.

Answer 10

Don’t let the re-writers of history confuse any of you. This nation’s government was founded by God fearing men who intended this to be “one nation under God.”

The whole notion of separation of Church and State was seeded by Godless men who intend to run Jesus Christ out of government.

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Patrick Henry

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” George Washington

"Without Religion this World would be Something not fit to be mentioned in polite Company, I mean Hell." John Adams

In 1787 when Franklin helped found Benjamin Franklin University, it was dedicated as "a nursery of religion and learning, built on Christ, the Cornerstone."