I have never been in court so this is something I haven't ever had to do. I'm not a Christian, so to me, to swear on the Christian bible would be farcical and belittling to Christians (to use their holy book in such a way when it holds no meaning for me).
Why is this still a common practice when church and state are supposedly separate? Are there any alternatives? What's your view of this issue?
2007-12-13 01:22:43 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
michelle_mackey2000 - Not all of the US's founding fathers were Christian (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Founding_Fathers_of_the_United_States#Religion).
Anyway, that really make much difference to me, as I live in the UK.
2007-12-13 01:44:44 · update #1
dianesumler - According to the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli "The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,".
2007-12-13 01:46:56 · update #2
Well that is the first time I've actually heard that brought up but not complaining aobut having to do it, but concerned about the Christians....
Thank You
2007-12-13 01:27:01 · answer #1 · answered by Michael 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am 55 years old and have never served on a jury but have been a witness and a defendant a few times and have been called but not picked for jury duty.
I have never been asked to swear on the bible. Only to answer that I will tell the truth. I have sat in courtrooms as a potential juror and have never seen a bible there.
One or two instances I have heard them asked do you affirm since many
Christians feel that swearing is a sin.
PB
ST
Edit the answer a couple above me godshew I believe is one example why some courts merely ask you to affirm.
2007-12-13 01:38:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That has nothing to do with the church/state issue-(most all Americans miss that one).
I do not believe its done anymore anyway.
The reason for it was that when this practice was first started -almost everyone believed in God. No one who was a Christian would dare swear on the Bible and then tell a lie.
Today-there are so many who claim to be Christian that are not. They do so only for benefit. This is very openly obvious in our prison system.
2007-12-13 01:32:32 · answer #3 · answered by Poor Richard 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not each physique is unquestionably geared up to describe or much less take care of their spirituality to or against others. even nonetheless they can't articulate what they think to others, the actuality would not cut back their inner actuality as they're experiencing it. upload to this the actuality that maximum church bible analyze are concentrated on what makes them different than the subsequent church team as antagonistic to certainly protecting the cardinal components of their ideals to non believers. Many pastors understand that they are greater possibly to lose believers to different church homes somewhat than yet another faith, or philosophy so as that they concentration greater on emphasizing differences. that's obvious in this internet site as you notice Christians spending greater time and awareness arguing with different Christians somewhat than protecting what maximum Christians frequently agree upon against non believers. that's ok in that in basic terms because of the fact i could not be waiting to take care of my ideals immediately does not advise that they at the instant are not valid, plus there is often the path to advance with time in any field of learn, and that brings us to the main perilous of believer types which furnish all others a foul call: the staunch ignorant fundamentalist who do not think of that they could learn in any respect yet are confident that with the help of in basic terms tossing scriptures that they some how magically gel into some style of protection whilst the regularly used consequence is the right opposite. I won't even point out a be conscious approximately attitudes which talk louder than any arguments because of the fact i think of which could be a given in any civil verbal replace.
2016-10-02 08:56:35 · answer #4 · answered by pinal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do this becauuse our founding fathers and those who created our court system were devout christians. Our whole country was founded on this. further i happen to believe that the mention of separation of church and state was actually intended to protect our right to worship as we please without influence of politicians and government. that is why they traveled here to begin with. NOT intended to take God out of our schools, courts, and lives. think about it, according to discovery channel, the Holy Bible was a text book in our PUBLIC schools then and continued to be for many years after. If they intended to separate god out of state dont u think they would have begun enforcing these laws back then?
2007-12-13 01:38:04 · answer #5 · answered by awaiting_his_return 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Good point. George Gordon, when in court, was asked do you swear to tell the truth.. etc. He said "no". He said the Judge was a bit non-plussed, but it worked out all right. Check him out.
2007-12-13 01:29:32 · answer #6 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because our country was founded on the Bible and Christianity!
However, I am a little leary of doing this because of this scripture: .....................................
Mat 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Mat 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Mat 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Mat 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
2007-12-13 01:44:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is a common practice because Christians are majority here and it is a sign of good faith to swear on a Bible-. your right though it doesn't mean a whole hell of alot if an atheist swears on a Bible. but i doubt moby dick would be appropriate........
2007-12-13 01:31:59 · answer #8 · answered by Thumbs down me now 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can refuse to do so.
"Why is this still a common practice when church and state are supposedly separate?"
Not entirely in practice, yet. But, we are getting there.
2007-12-13 01:26:35 · answer #9 · answered by Blue 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A few common 4-letter words will do just fine!
2007-12-13 01:27:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋