isn that a problem for those who dont belive in the bible
2007-03-24 11:36:25 · 8 answers · asked by carey 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No, just tradition. You can always testify on an alternative such as a law dictionary.
2007-03-24 12:05:45 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Luv 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are not required to swear on the bible nor are you required to make any oath that is offensive to your conscience or religious scruples.
I am a Ch'an Buddhist and swearing to "tell the truth" at all, with or without a bible, is offensive to me. I live in rural Texas and when called for jury duty they administer an oath in which the prospective jurors swear as to a variety of things.
I brought a written copy of the only such "oath" I would swear and flatly said it was not open to negotiation and that it would either be those exact words or nothing. They immediately conceded and I was sworn in exactly the manner that I demanded.
2007-03-24 11:51:14 · answer #2 · answered by Rillifane 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think people understand the reasoning here because I see this question posted again and again. The reason the courts ask people to swear on a bible has nothing to do with offending them or being P.C. The whole point is to see if the witness is a "god fearing" person. Why would we trust someone who has no fear of negative consequence? If you are not religious or or another religion it only affects the asker The Bible is a tool they use to help instill guilt and obligation on people to tell the truth. If one is not religious, who cares if they swear on a bible or not, they obviously place no value in it. The people who should be upset are the people on trial because they're the only ones who have something to lose.
2007-03-24 11:44:59 · answer #3 · answered by Eisbär 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I haven't seen the swearing in done with a Bible in years and I've assisted at many trials.
2007-03-24 11:44:40 · answer #4 · answered by beez 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You only need to affirm you are telling the truth. Most courts don't even provide a bible unless one attorney requests it. Affirmation is what it is called, I believe. I think I'll look it up. Good question.
2007-03-24 14:48:00 · answer #5 · answered by apple juice 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wouldnt swearing on the bible be benificial to those who "dont believe". It wouldn't matter to them if they lied to god so why care if they have to touch the bible. imo seperation of church and state has been overly translated.
2007-03-24 11:42:02 · answer #6 · answered by legendre_22 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some places have different 'swearing in scripts' to cater for different religious beliefs .. or lack thereof.
2007-03-24 11:39:40 · answer #7 · answered by J9 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They still do that?
2007-03-24 11:53:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋