2007-06-23 22:17:50 · 13 answers · asked by NAMELESS 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One can either swear or affirm.
2007-06-23 22:22:44 · answer #1 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not and mean it as somehow conferring truth-telling compulsion, no.
The US Supreme court ruled on "affirmation" as an alternative in 1961.
But then various Christian denominations have had trouble with the idea too.
"Baptists refused to swear to Puritans and Quakers refused to swear to Puritans and Anglicans. Under a 1718 British law enacted in the colonies, Quakers were permitted to "make a solemn affirmation" in court."
"At the 1945 court-martial of a U.S. Navy captain, a Japanese submarine commander testified after swearing an oath tailored to his belief in Shintoism. "
2007-06-24 05:46:32 · answer #2 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can swear to tell the truth. The book which I swear that on is irrelevant. If I make a pledge to be honest, I'll be honest.
2007-06-24 05:21:09 · answer #3 · answered by Julia Sugarbaker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible actually is not needed. You raise your right hand and solemnly swear to tell the truth as you see it. And crossing fingers don't count.
2007-06-24 05:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by Sick Puppy 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqDUCsOFlFKd4FqkoZ.6.yzsy6IX?qid=20070619005831AAmBFMQ&show=7#profile-info-36045ad664e19d91ac59e730f011b56aaa
What's up with that?
An atheist *can* swear on anything he or she likes, but it doesn't mean it'll actually mean anything to them. Most atheists would probably refuse. I know I would.
There's a few states where atheists can't testify in the first place.
2007-06-24 05:23:55 · answer #5 · answered by Snark 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You take a solemn oath to speak the truth. The bible just adds a touch of theater.
2007-06-24 05:23:31 · answer #6 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If an Atheist,such as myself was to put his hand anywhere near a bible i would be called a hyporcrit,so that should answer your question,i am a follower of SATAN and proud of it.
2007-06-24 05:25:41 · answer #7 · answered by the-Devil-is-King 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We can, but I haven't. I affirmed, instead.
In any event, it's just theater. If someone is going to lie, swearing or affirming isn't going to stop them.
2007-06-24 09:06:18 · answer #8 · answered by YY4Me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The book is not an essential part of the oath and should have been done away with years ago.
Seperation of Church and State?.... no visible evidence here!
2007-06-24 05:25:05 · answer #9 · answered by Bart S 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
not in good conscience because to an atheist it would be lying
and you're not supposed to lie in court
2007-06-24 06:30:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋