When Atheists go to court, do they have to swear on the bible?

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   Iamsamposted 14 years ago

   When Atheists go to court, do they have to swear on the bible?

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   Zanerusposted 14 years ago

   Not to my knowledge, I think its more an oath of peacefulness by the law.

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   Speechwriterposted 14 years ago

   Here in the UK I am sure they would have to swear in on some format, although not necessarily the Bible. I would imagine people who don't wish to swear in may influence the feeling of the judge or jury to their trustworthyness.
   
   Would the same atheiest insure their property against acts of God?

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   nightwork4posted 14 years ago

   i'm not sure here in canada. when i went to court i just swore on a bible to make it easier , plus if your going in front of a jury and you claim to be an athiest, the believers in the jury will immediately take a dislike to you which will make a fair trial a bit trickier.

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5. 82

   junksellerposted 14 years ago

   I think most places in the US either don't swear in on a bible or allow you the choice. If you don't want to swear on a bible or "swear" at all you can make an "affirmation" to tell the truth to the best of your knowledge. So no swearing, bible or God. Which is important not just for atheists but for other religions as well.

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   dablufoxposted 14 years ago

   Most definitely, otherwise they risk committing perjury if they lie.
   
   I think they are given a choice between the Bible and something else.

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   Zubair Ahmedposted 14 years ago

   No they just use what is called 'affirmation'...here in the UK.  Guess you can't single out anyone, as everyone lies these days, no truth left in society... the very little truth that you do find will be amongst the poorest in society so no one takes notice.

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   Torch Harrisonposted 14 years ago

   Not to my knowledge.  When it comes up, athiests are permitted to swear on the Constitution.  That's good enough for me!

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   vashalposted 14 years ago

   I'm not sure if this is still the case, but they at least used to ask that they swear on the Bible. They don't really ask about your religious beliefs before you go to court, so they have no way of knowing if someone is an atheist under normal circumstances. A few months ago I read some court transcripts where an atheist was asked to swear on the Bible and he refused. There was quite a bit of back and forth between him and the judge before they swore him in and continued with the case.

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