When someone is being swore into office or sworn to tell the truth in court, they put their hand on a bible. The religious person is supposedly going to tell the truth or else face eternal damnation for lying whilst swearing this oath, but the atheist may as well swear on a copy of "The Great Gatsby". I am never going to be absolutly sure that someone who claims to believe in God will tell the truth (50% chance they will or they won't), but there is a 100% chance that someone who has no divine fear is going to tell the truth by swearing on a bible that holds no moral obligation to their soul. I guess I could have 'faith' that someone will do the right thing, but from posts on this website, I have been assured that 'faith' is a luxury no atheist can afford. What to do?
2007-11-02 05:41:36 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
for some reason this posted twice, either one will suffice.
2007-11-02 05:50:50 · update #1
Why would the atheist lie? Just to lie? They have no more reason to do so than the "righteous man" if the righteous guy has something to hide.
You can't tell me that being a believer makes a person more moral (Ted Haggerty) or less likely to lie (Jim Bakker, Bob Jones).
Your percentages notwithstanding, the truth is that all men are tempted, and anyone under oath is mostly under oath to themselves and their own sense of morality and integrity. You can have those things innately, because you are a good person who has been taught well. If you are asking me to believe that all believers are people of integrity and all atheists are not, based on your faith, I have to pass.
People of faith hide behind it all the time, and it's bollocks. You are a person of integrity or you aren't, and where you spend your Sunday mornings doesn't have anything to do with it.
2007-11-02 05:54:05 · answer #1 · answered by nicolemcg 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing 99% of people who are sworn into office, do not give a rat's a** that they happen to have their hand on a Bible or Koran or whatever.
Whether or not they uphold their responsibilitites as a public servent is a matter of their personal integrity, and in our elected officials personal integrity knows no religious bounds. An atheist is as likely, or perhaps MORE likely to have it than a religious person.
In fact, I fear the religious person more because all too often they are more loyal to their religious beliefs than to our laws and the Constitution (W is Exhibit A).
2007-11-02 05:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by Whoops, is this your spleeen? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was a witness in court recently and was asked "Do you swear or affirm ... etc." and they left out the so help me God part. I think you have to trust atheists as much as anyone else. I think the biggest obstacle to lying under oath in court is not God, but the fact that perjury is a criminal offense and rightly so.
2007-11-05 00:46:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you know someone who believes in God will tell the truth, just because you are religious doesnt mean you always tell the truth even after "searing in". there is never a Guarantee, religious or not.
2007-11-02 10:31:44 · answer #4 · answered by jlm_murphy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm Agnostic and if I were instructed to placed my hand on any bible or e book to swear the reality on, i'd tell the court that i do no longer have self assurance in this e book so what I swear to skill no longer something in any respect ! If nonetheless required to swear on something i'd walk over and grab the celebs and Stripes !
2016-10-23 06:42:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be more inclined to believe an atheist than someone who is mortally afraid of a book. How rational can that person be?
2007-11-02 05:45:51 · answer #6 · answered by booman17 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
you are funny! so a Jew who swears on Torah or a Muslim who swears on Koran would be liars too? I think Bibile is not a prerequisite.
2007-11-02 05:47:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
all people lie when their survival is threatened...
fear of god makes no difference
it is instilled in all of us to want to be honest...
we feel better in life to be honest...
2007-11-02 05:46:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you forget my friend, Christians believe all they have to do is ask for forgiveness - so they can lie all they want and just pray.
2007-11-02 05:48:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
trust people until they prove they can't be trusted
2007-11-02 05:47:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋