2007-10-10 13:34:42 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I wasn't very clear in that. I mean, when a religious person, swears on the Bible, they are supposedly not forgiven if they lie? If an atheist were to swear on the Bible, they COULD lie, legally, correct? It's just a very confusing question I've been pondering for about a week now. I know it's not required to swear on the Bible when testifying, but you normally do, because it's just customary.
2007-10-10 13:40:16 · update #1
It is not required to swear on any bible before testifying in court. You have been watching too many skewed movies.
No, young lady, you do not normally swear on the bible in court. Get a reality check.
2007-10-10 13:37:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Of course. Who would stop them? I started to say that I don't understand the question but I think the problem is the you may not understand what an atheist is. An atheist is just someone who isn't a theist.
However when I was in court they just asked me to 'affirm that I would tell the truth" there was neither a bible nor any swearing.
"If an atheist were to swear on the Bible, they COULD lie, legally, correct? "
No, when you lie under oath in court it's perjury.
2007-10-10 13:38:14 · answer #2 · answered by Demetri w 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most courts don't have anyone to swear on the Bible anymore. And those that do, you can state that you do not wish to swear on the Bible. But most courts now simply "swear" you in. And there's nothing "legal" about swearing on the Bible. That doesn't hold you to tell the truth more than the law states.
2007-10-10 13:51:06 · answer #3 · answered by River 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheists do not swear in on a bible in court. that does not mean that they refuse swear in, they use an alternate oath or affirm. The effect is the same: to put the witness under the penalty of law for a lie. Don't forget about Muslims, one judge allowed a Quaran/Koran. Buddhists, usually the same as atheist. Also, there are many xians that believe that it is a sin to swear on the bible. It also depends on jurisdiction & judges.
2007-10-10 13:44:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well technically it would already be a lie to your own principals if you swear on something you don't believe in. Granted, if you intend on being truthful like you are supposed to it doesn't hurt anything, but no matter what you are still swearing to tell the truth and IMO that is the important part, not the bible.
2007-10-10 13:44:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an atheist and recently testified as a witness in a criminal case. I think you've seen to many movies, there was no bible, that is an old and seldom used practice any longer. I was merely asked to raise my right hand and swear that the testimony I was about to give was the truth and the whole truth.
2007-10-10 13:39:37 · answer #6 · answered by ndmagicman 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have been called for jury duty several times and we NEVER swore in on a bible.
I accompanied a friend to court and there was NO bible in the swearing in.
I don't think it's customary any more.
2007-10-10 13:48:29 · answer #7 · answered by queenthesbian 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They can, but they typically choose to take make an affirmation instead. It's basically the same thing except you say 'affirm' instead of 'swear' and 'under the pains and penalties of perjury' instead of 'so help me God'.
And no, of course an atheist could not lie legally after making an oath to someone he doesn't believe in. It is a crime for anyone to lie under oath.
2007-10-10 13:43:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You raise your right hand and take an oath to tell the truth, you don't swear on the Bible in any court I know of.
2007-10-10 13:39:20 · answer #9 · answered by WC 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You can actually refuse to do that, but you still have to take the oath before you testify. The "god" part of the oath was added during modern times, which again, you can refuse to say, but you still have to take the oath.
Edit: No, they cannot lie; it would be perjury regardless of the oath being taken on the Bible.
2007-10-10 13:42:18 · answer #10 · answered by Quincy S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋