2007-07-07 17:02:39 · 20 answers · asked by Jen 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
You've obviously never been to court.
You don't swear on a Bible any more.
2007-07-07 17:05:22 · answer #1 · answered by Dale D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This question was just resolved in the state of North Carolina by the State Supreme Court. There was a case involving a Muslim woman who wished to swear on a Koran, and even brought her own into the courtroom. The presiding judge refused, and she sued to overturn his ruling. The origial judge had stated that the only holy text allowed under state law was the Bible. The case made it all the way to the state Supreme Court, which ruled that the Bible was not the onloy holy text which could be used during the swearing-in proceedings, and that other texts could be used. So, at least in North Carolina, you may have an alternative if you so desire.
2007-07-07 17:12:34 · answer #2 · answered by HgMan3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some how I don't think so. But I am going to ask a friend of mine that works for the courts. I will get back to you later if there is an alternative.
2007-07-07 17:11:12 · answer #3 · answered by UPESKYMO 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you are offered to swear on the bible, torah, koran, or any other written work that holds religious signifigance to you.
Actually these other people are reminding me, that I haven't seen it done that way in a while. Guess they changed that. The last time I saw it, they just asked for the person to "Do you swear to tell the truth and the whole truth?"
2007-07-07 17:05:32 · answer #4 · answered by special-chemical-x 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You just swear on the Bible, then say what you want to in court since you don't take the oath on the Bible seriously.
2007-07-07 17:22:47 · answer #5 · answered by topink 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is an alternative if you ARE a Christian as Christians are not supposed to swear on the bible or to or on anything else either.
2007-07-07 17:06:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
They don't use a bible anymore! You just raise your hand and swear to tell the truth.
2007-07-07 17:18:30 · answer #7 · answered by antagonist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't ask you to swear on the bible. They just ask you to swear to tell the truth.
2007-07-07 17:13:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have never seen a Bible used in a California court. The oath is legal in nature and is essentially to place you under penalty of perjury. It is not religious in nature. There is "so help me God" language in certain oaths of office, however.
2007-07-07 19:26:16 · answer #9 · answered by MALIBU CANYON 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it really matter at all what you put your hand on? Infact, I haven't seen anyone actually have to put there hand on a bible in a long time. Usually it's just a verbal statement with the hand raised in the air.
2007-07-07 17:05:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋