Judge Paul Ridgeway said common law and state Supreme Court precedent allow witnesses and jurors to use the text “most sacred and obligatory upon their conscience.”
The ruling came after the American Civil Liberties Union argued that limiting that text to the Bible was unconstitutional because it favored Christianity over other religions.
The issue surfaced when Muslims tried to donate copies of the Quran to Guilford County’s two courthouses.
Two judges declined to accept the texts, saying that taking an oath on the Quran was illegal under state law.
State law allows witnesses preparing to testify in court to take their oath by laying a hand over “the Holy Scriptures,” by saying “so help me God” without the use of a religious book or by an affirmation using no religious symbols.
So in Muslims Counties can Christians use the Holy Bible in there Courthouses?
2007-05-25 05:27:23 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Please. They would be considered an infidel. Taking an oath on a Bible over there would be blasphemy to them. They would never allow it. Great group, the ACLU, huh? Fighting for everyone's rights but the people who were born here.
2007-05-25 05:33:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The whole idea of using "Holy Scriptures" is to give more emphasis to the act, and symbolize that you are taking an oath under a higher power. Making people from other religions take an oath on a book they do not consider "Holy Scriptures" would defeat that purpose. Let people use whichever religious script they feel comfortable with - lets remember that the important thing is that they tell the truth, not which book the swear on...
2007-05-25 06:03:24 · answer #2 · answered by EL8 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If we can use the Bible, what makes the Qua-ran any different? I see no problem with it. I would take my oath on the Constitution of the US, personally.
But I am not concerned with what they can and cannot use in Muslim countries, just the US. And if the bible is good enough for believers of that faith, then the Qua-ran should be good enough for believers of that faith. By making people swear an oath on a book they have no belief in opens doors for possible lies. (Not that everyone tells the truth anyway). But they can argue "I never said I believed in the Bible, so my oath really meant nothing to begin with".
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What a sad, sorry nation America has become when it is only acceptable to use a copy of the Bible on which to affirm one's intention to speak truthfully. The founding fathers would turn in their graves knowing that this country had become what they were running from, the inability to believe what you choose to believe, with no barriers.
2007-05-25 05:33:01 · answer #3 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
In Islamic countries we just say we swear to Allah(swt), we do not put our hand on the Quran or the Bible. Also, In some states in the USA it is done this way. I have never had to swear on the bible..
2007-05-25 05:38:45 · answer #4 · answered by je 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought this was something that was decided a long time ago. A person can swear on a copy of The Origin of the Species for all I care, so long as they give truthful testimony. On the other hand, if someone's going to lie, I don't think it's going to matter what they swear on.
2007-05-25 05:36:07 · answer #5 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You are also allowed to not acknowledge the presence of God at all.
Excuse me, but isn't there something in your bible about not taking oaths? Oh I must have taken it 'out of context'.
2007-05-25 05:40:52 · answer #6 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You DON'T have to use a scripture of any kind in the US. You can just raise you had and swear to tell the truth. If someone wants to use a book that personally significant you can. We are a SECULAR country, most Muslim countries don't have the same freedoms as the US.
2007-05-25 05:34:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Rock on North Carolina!!!!
Now if we can only get rid of that stupid Blue Law, we'll be the most kickass state in the Bible Belt
Ah, Guilford County, that actually explains a lot.
2007-05-25 05:30:31 · answer #8 · answered by Southpaw 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It doesn't matter what you put your hand on, if you are a liar the book does not matter. If you are christian, the bible says not to swear at all, but let your yea be yea;and your nay be nay
2007-05-25 05:45:13 · answer #9 · answered by I Wanna Know 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the Q'uran didn't teach that you can lie to people that don't believe like you do, it wouldn't be an issue.
The Bible and Talmud teach people not to lie to anyone, and that truth is absolute.
Other than that, I don't have any more problem with it than I do with anything else.
2007-05-25 05:40:14 · answer #10 · answered by josephwiess 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋