Unless it's a really redneck state, I believe that atheists and people who don't use the Bible as part of their religion can "affirm" or just take their oath with a raised hand.
2007-10-31 05:47:31 · 9 answers · asked by AuroraDawn 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Witnesses in American courts do not have to take a religious oath and can instead simply testify on pain of perjury. It's up to judges to decide what passes for an oath. Why? Because asking non-christians to swear on a Bible is against the first amendment, and it's a little ridiculous. Religious oaths can only be taken seriously by believers in that particular religion, so asking someone who doesn't believe in the religious penalty, but to swear to avoid it anyway it sort of moot. Nowadays it is considered in the descretion of the judge whether or not someone must swear on a Bible, Koran, or some other meaningful book. Or to forego the books altogether, and have an affidavit which is similair but does not require swearing or taking an oath (as some religions forbid taking oaths).
2007-10-31 05:53:45 · answer #1 · answered by All I Hear Is Blah Blah Blah... 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
oh shat
no one has been compelled to swear on a Bible for YEARS. Stop watching all those old Perry Mason re-runs---that is NOT reality...swearing on the Bible disappeared years ago. As a former court recorder, I have spent more hours in court than you have spent in your backyard.
the exception, of course, is when a President is sworn into office, and they always choose a chaplain or someone to administer the oath, and they swear on a Bible...uh, by the way, this is a direct violation of the things that Jesus commanded Christians to do---if you are interested in this, and not just trying to ask painus in the anus questions, Matthew 5-7 is about a 12-minute read, and you will quickly see that swearing oaths, making long prayers, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and prayer in public schools----all these things are specifically prohibited in the Bible, in the words of Jesus...Peace---brian
2007-10-31 06:10:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I testified in court a few years ago. I was not required to swear on a Bible. I was prepared to express my preference to affirm rather that use a Bible, but the oath I took did not refer to a deity.
And this is in Kansas.
2007-10-31 05:52:14 · answer #3 · answered by Peter D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is now an international right...to swear by bible or affirm. It's an independant choice of the individual whether agnostic or atheist or purely of the non-christian belief.
2007-10-31 05:52:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's wrong for anyone to swear on the Bible about anything,whether it be in court or outside of court.
2007-10-31 05:57:50 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't have to swear on a Bible in ANY state, redneck or not.
2007-10-31 06:07:48 · answer #6 · answered by grumpy geezer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I heard in one case they a let a man swear on the Quran.
2007-10-31 14:13:16 · answer #7 · answered by Coop 366 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think anyone believes that. It is just common practice or custom. Furthermore, beliefs don't even play into it. It is either a law that you have to or it is not.
2007-10-31 05:51:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so.
But if it was.... I'd have no hope if I got arrested, as I don't touch bibles on principle.
2007-10-31 05:52:07 · answer #9 · answered by Lucid Interrogator 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋