I'm atheist.
If I ever go to a court hearing, I can't swear on a Bible.
It's not fair now is it?
haha.
2007-11-25 08:12:31 · 22 answers · asked by pulse. 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Most courts no longer have you take an oath on a book, you merely have to raise your right hand and affirm and avow that you are telling the truth.
2007-11-25 08:15:30 · answer #1 · answered by genaddt 7 · 12⤊ 0⤋
An atheist does no longer definitely have the skill to swear on something they have not got faith in. that's a typical false impression held through people who do no longer understand what being an atheist is. Many Christian fundamentalists wrongly have faith that if a guy or woman would not have faith interior the Christian god that they are unfastened to dedicate crimes. The regulation prevents human beings from committing crimes, no longer the Christian god. In courtroom, there are ideas for individuals who do no longer desire to swear on an emblem of fundamentalist Christianity, such by using fact the King James version of the Bible the united states of a isn't a Christian u . s . a ., and it is not a call for to be a Christian so as to be an American citizen. The shape of the country is the very terrific regulation of the land and ensures that the regulations in this u . s . a . may be the comparable for each guy or woman, no longer purely Christians.
2016-10-18 02:39:41 · answer #2 · answered by mcclune 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always swear AT the Bible...
I believe you can opt out of the swearing thing, if your local court system even does the "swearing on the Bible" thing (I understand some are doing away with this practice). Whether you swear on a Bible or not, perjury is still a crime.
2007-11-25 08:17:40 · answer #3 · answered by Pull My Finger 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
« God in Your PocketGod is a Dick - Part II: Elijah and the Prophets of Baal »Swear WordsThe phrase “so help me god” is a routine part of the American system of government. It is found in oaths of office. It is found in our courtrooms. Where it is not found is in the Constitution. In fact, the word “god” is not present at all. Article II, Section 1 gives the following “oath or affirmation” for the President: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” George Washington added a bible to the ceremony and tacked on “so help me god” to the end of the oath. All 41 other presidents have followed suit. How would the country now react to a President’s refusal to continue this tradition?
Michael Newdow, a brave California atheist, filed suit to prevent George W. Bush from including religious acts in his second inauguration, including prayers by Christian ministers. His challenge was rejected, but the arguments on which he built his case seemed somewhat shaky. Hopefully, this will not be the last attempt to stop this clear violation of the establishment clause.
In a court of law, you will also be asked to swear on a bible. It is the “default setting” for jurors and witnesses. A secular affirmation is available if requested, but it seldom is. This is partially because people don’t know it’s available. For witnesses and defendants, it’s often because a failure to swear on a bible is considered prejudicial to a jury that is almost always predominantly Christian. So, for atheists (and other non-Christians), the intellectual honesty of refusing to swear on a book you find meaningless could increase your chances of conviction. So much for fair and impartial. So much for equal protection. While there is no legal compulsion for a politician or a participant in our judicial system to swear on a bible or invoke the name of god, the fact that anyone is allowed to do so makes the system unfair to nonbelievers. If the majority can include their religion in government and law, the minority is harmed because their failure to do so is regarded as suspect.
2007-11-25 08:20:55 · answer #4 · answered by Gerry 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Isn't there separation of Church and State? I don't believe you'll have to swear on the Bible. Nowadays you have to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
2007-11-25 08:18:25 · answer #5 · answered by Windona 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not fair. But I didn't want to make an issue of it. I'd prefer to swear by something I actually believe in: the Constitution.
2007-11-25 08:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Like swearing on a bible would stop anybody from lying. Now that's what's silly.
2007-11-25 08:25:25 · answer #7 · answered by punch 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Barbara" has got it exactly right. I had to testify in court a few years ago and there was no Bible involved when I was sworn in for testimony. You can also simply say that "I affirm that I will tell the truth" and it is perfectly admissible.
2007-11-25 08:19:52 · answer #8 · answered by Paul Hxyz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not only that, they are not allowed to do Jury duty. That's how I became an atheist in the first place. I was called in to Jury duty, and I whispered discreetly to the clerk "I'm an atheist" and they let me go.
So now I'm registered as an atheist, and if I try to get it rescinded they might call me in for jury duty.
2007-11-25 08:22:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are not legally required to swear in any book anywhere in the US. You have been watching too many old and incorrect movies.
2007-11-25 08:18:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋