I have to do an essay on 'Creationalism or Pseudoscience' next Thursday for a class. I thought I'd include that point,
PLEASE HELP
Vontz, (not my real name)
2007-04-20 05:40:56 · 38 answers · asked by vontzit2 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I just swear in court but i own the Senate
2007-04-20 05:46:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually most trail lawyers and judges will tell you that this doesn't happen anymore. You have to take an oath, but it is not contingent that you do it on a bible or any other holy book. There was a case that allowed a person to swear on his mother's urn and another that allowed a person to swear on the American flag. The oath is really become more or less a formality and nothing else. Kind of like the Miranda rights so the person acknowledges that they understand the Terms and conditions for testifiying
2007-04-20 05:50:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is required to make a declaration that their testimony will be truthful, however you can not be forced to swear on a Bible if it is against your beliefs to do so. We have freedom of religion in the US and more importantly we have freedom FROM religion. The First amendment of the Constitution prohibits the establishment of a govern mentally backed religion. This was due to the good old church of England that forced a specific belief system on the subjects of the crown. Personally, I don't believe atheists should take the presence of a Bible as an assault on there rights anymore than I believe saying Merry Christmas to a Jew is an anti-Semitic assault on the Jewish people. To demand our rights to practice religion or not as we choose is only valid if you are respecting others rights to the same. If you are afraid that placing your hand on a Bible will make you a Christian, don't be. Going to church doesn't do that either. One's religious state is determined by their actions and how they present themselves to others through that action. An old Rabbi was once asked "How do I know I'm a Jew?" to which he responded "If you think you are a Jew, your neighbors think you are a Jew and you ACT LIKE a Jew, then you're a Jew." Notice he didn't say if you uphold Torah.
2007-04-20 05:59:10 · answer #3 · answered by Jim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No there is an alternate oath that does not include the word "God" available for people who are agnostic, athiest etc. Usually you have to raise your right hand when you make your oath but that is not required either. Most courts do not require or even ask that an individual swear an oath on a bible.
2007-04-20 09:11:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they solemnly swear before the court to tell the truth, without the use of the Bible or the word "God". There are Christian denominations that will also not swear "upon the Bible. If it is discover that they lied it is still contempt of court.
2007-04-20 05:47:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mike M. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they do not. They did not have to swear on a Bible way back in1958 when I was Foreman of a Jury and an atheist appeared in a case we heard.
I think it might be at the discretion of the presiding judge.
2007-04-24 03:52:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. An atheist is allowed to swear on the Bible, but he would normally choose to affirm. The affirmation is as binding on him as the oath would be. The form of affirmation is: "I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."
2007-04-20 06:58:10 · answer #7 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What does creationism have to do with swearing on a bible in court?
It sounds like you are in danger of losing focus with this essay.
Which bores and confounds the reader.
2007-04-20 05:48:25 · answer #8 · answered by A Balrog of Morgoth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one has to swear on the Bible in court. This practice is being done away with. You are only likely to find it used for any oath in smaller towns and the Bible Belt.
2007-04-20 05:44:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, all that is needed to testify in court, according to the Federal Rules of Evidence, is an oath or affirmation. No one HAS to swear on the bible. Instead, they can affirm in court that what they are going to say is true.
2007-04-20 06:14:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
From personal experience.. yes. I a'm a atheists and had to be in court for a friend. I asked if since I was a atheists that I actually had to do it. They said I had to... mainly because it's like a tradition thing. He explained that even know I may not belive in the bible I still had to to make my statement offical.
2007-04-20 05:51:06 · answer #11 · answered by darkhybridxii 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋