Swearing on the bible

The bible it self says that you should not swear like that anyway. Everybody has to do it in america for some stupid reason. l really don't see the point of it all. lt's better if everyone just promises to tell the truth, knowing that if they break the promise they'll go to jail. Because that's what happens anyway. No annoyed non-Christians and in the same time no annoyed christians who've read the book XD

atheists and other non Christians don't have to swear on the bible. if you have a different holy book, then if you let them know ahead of time so preparations can be made, you can swear on that. if you don't have a holy book, or are an atheist, you can affirm that you will tell the truth.

For the liar, swearing on the Bible doesn't mean a thing whether the witness is an atheist or not. I've often wondered what the court would do if when asked "Do you swear to tell the true," the witness says, "No." Would the witness be dismissed, held in contempt or just put on the stand without any expectations.

While I am not an atheist, I still don't think that it is right to make people swear on the bible when they are in the court of law. The reason that I don't really think that it is right is because of the fact that there are so many different views in this world. There are Muslims and Buddhists and the list that could go on and on so it doesn't seem appropriate that you should have to swear on the bible. That said, I think that people should be given their choice of what book to swear on.

In the United States, no one has to swear on a Bible if they do not want to. The Constitution explicitly prohibits requiring a religious test for any purpose. Many people choose to have a Bible, Q'ran, or other text, but some decline it.

I don't think that this should be changed in countries which are Christian by constitution. Maybe for Atheists it doesn't mean anything, but I have a question. If somebody made a serious crime, would you call that person a Christian? Maybe he will claim that he is, but a person who kills, robs, steals or makes other things like this cannot be a true Christian, so lying in a court with the hands on the Bible won't make any difference. But even if you are a Christian, why is different to lie without the hands on the Bible, from lying with the hands on the Bible. It makes no difference to me. The Bible is a material thing, important is the message which is written inside, not the book. Because we can buy hundreds of Bible, but all of them are holy? I think the message is holy, not the object.

this is interesting question... i think the atheist still have to swear on the Bible during court even though they don't believe in God... that is just the correct procedure... but your suggestion of having another method for non-religious people can also be considered... may be one day the courts will have that... take care and have a nice day...

Swearing on the Bible is a standard practice in a court of law and all are ask to swear by it, true, atheist and other non religious people don't believe in it and know that it is very harmless. They do however have to comply with the standard practice. It is important to examine how beleivers swear by it and stand up in a court of law and commit perjury. They are the ones that need a new method because they also know deep down it is truly harmless and doesn't mean anything.

I think that now you are given a choice. Years ago I belonged to a 'Christian' sect that believed you should not swear on the Bible and when I got my citizenship papers, I did not have to. IThe courts then gave one a choice, and in some places we still had prayer in schools. Now the world is more secularized so it is more likely the Christian who is made to feel uncomfortable when they ask for a Bible to swear on. The atheisr would not have anything to worry about.

In my state they don't have you swear upon the Bible or any other religious book. They have you lift your right hand then they say "You swear to tell the Truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth under penalty of purjury?" So there is no Bible evolved at least when I was last on the witness stand which was 2 years ago. I was expecting a Bible which would of made me smile because I am not by any stretch of the imagination a Christan.

You do not even have to use the words "I swear" anymore. You say "I affirm". You do not have to have any kind of book at all. People just like to make you believe what they believe is true. A Bible has not been necessary for years. Folks just like to use it.

If a witness refuses to swear to God, the court accepts an "affirmation" instead. In U.S. District Court, the standard oath is amended to: "You do affirm that all the testimony you are about to give in the case now before the court will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; this you do affirm under the pains and penalties of perjury?"

Nobody should swear on the bible.I just went to court and raised my right hand and swore but did not see any bible there.

Its common for atheists not to swear on the bible, as I do suspect such people may swear the fact on themselves. In a court of law, non religious people may either take testimony giving full truth testimonies, according to answering back that they will not lie or not falsify statements. Some Christian believers would think that swearing on the bible means a lot, but many who do have high tendencies to disclose false statements. There doesn't need to be another method, because such people should be waived oath. They rather should be interrogated and testify for themselves.

I believe that the law does allow atheists to not have to swear on the Bible, did you know that atheism is now viewed as a religion.