Why should I swear on the bible?

Swearing on the Bible does not make sense if one does not believe in the Bible or rather if one does not believe that Bible has divine connection. And for atheist I don't see things making sense when one is made to take an oath placing one's hand on the Bible. However, I am quite curious about the origin of the tradition. What could be the sociological/historical reasons for having introduced such traditions for public life? I don't know myself, but I think if one does a study the answer might be interesting.

if you go to court you won't be made to swear on a bible. I mean what possible good would it do? if you swear an Oath to someone you don't believe in, then where's the meaning in it? where's the incentive not to lie? dear Ronald Macdonald, I swear I will eat a cheeseburer tomorrow, in your name I swear to do this. means nothing. UK law does not expect non Christians to swear on the bible, as such an oath would have no impact on that persons honesty. you can swear on any holy book, or make your own personal affirmation. I forget the terms used, but I live in the UK, am Non Christian (albeit Pagan rather than Atheist) and am aware of where the laws are fair and where they are not. sadly, studies have shown that if you don't swear on the bible you are less likely to be percieved as honest.

It would not present a problem for me but I can see your situation is somewhat different as you are an athiest. Here in Australia we do have to swear on the Bible to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" when we take the oath to give evidence in a Court of Law. However there are provisions for those who are not of the Christian faith and those who have a religion take the same oath but use their own Holy book, whatever that might be. Some months ago I did read an article about non-believers, agnostics and athiests who have to give Sworn evidence in Court. From memory those people can choose to make some sort of affirmation about their evidence. I am not sure of the wording or whether they had to sign some sort of document of just say the words. As many of our original laws are based on those of the U.K., I would suspect that the same sort of affirmation is available to U.K. residents. If you are ever required to give evidence, then before that happened I would be talking to the Clerk of the Courts about your situation. As you do not believe in God, then forcing you to swear an Oath on the Bible would be somewhat hypocritical on teh part of the legal system. It would also be making a mockery on the entire legal system really as it would mean nothing to you.

The best way to look at this is to look at a simular circumstance. As an athesit, you beleive that the bike is little more than historical fiction. As such swearing an oath on the Bible is simular to swearing an oath on "All Quiet on the Western Front" It has no meaning. But if they want you to do it as a formality, it shouldn't pose much of an issue. On the other hand if you are of a non-Christian faith the question may be a little different. Depending on the oath. I don't know how the oath is worded there but if the oath itself has any indication that you not only swear on the bible, but also accept what is in the Bible, then you may have to sort out if that contradicts your religion.

Psh... why do you think the US succeeded? Separation of church and state. baby. (If only it held true...)