Judge Uses Bible Lesson To Teach

When they come back from a break, the bailiff says "This court is back in session. Return to order and remain seated."

An alternative to just have witnesses affirm under penalty of perjury would be to have sacred books and sacred objects from different faiths available for witnesses to swear on. That would be rather cumbersome, though, and besides, as someone has suggested earlier in this thread, if a witness chooses the Koran, the jury might be prejudiced against them for that reason. So much simpler to say to the witness, "Raise your right hand. Do you affirm that the testimony you shall give in this case will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, is this your solemn affirmation?"

Some Christians choose to affirm instead of taking an oath because the Bible tells us not to take an oath. Other Christians have no problem with taking an oath. Why is that? Don't they all read the same Bible?

 

you forget your in the USA, Bible is the book we swear on.

 

Whether it means anything to us or not? What does it mean to an atheist, or a believer in a non-Christian religion, to swear on the Bible?

 

history and back to our founding fathers and the foundation our country was built on.

 

I don't think that really answers my question.

 

plain and simple they are going to hell. ok

 

That is the most close minded, believe what you're told by a dude in the pulpit without trying to find out for yourself what is true statement ever. Your beliefs say they go to hell if they don't believe in YOUR bible. Muslims believe their Koran as much as you believe your bible. The bible is used because here in the USA, Christianity is the most popular religion. The Bible is only used as a symbol to discourage committing perjury. BTW, I am a Christian but I sick of the way most Christians think that their religion is the only way to "heaven". Tell it to a devout Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist, etc., etc and see what they think.. The courtroom is not a church sanctuary and the money paid goes to court costs and attorney fees. Not to tithes, the pastor and the "building fund". Keep the two separate.

 

hey moron who brought religion into this. I said nothing about religion ok. Religion is the interpretation of the bible, so watch and understand what you are talking about.

 

how is "plain and simple they are going to hell" not bringing religion into it?.....moron. Read what you typed dillweed.

 

that is funny, show your intelligence, your are very uneducated about what religion is. where in that comment is religion brought in? Hopefully you will realize what you just wrote. Dillweed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here is the definition of religion from dictionary.com, mooseknuckle.

re·li·gion Audio Help /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-lij-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.

Here is your definition of it, "Religion is the interpretation of the bible". Now I'll say it s-l-o-w-l-y, if you were not bringing up religion, why did you mention they were going to hell?

 

old testament-new testament how many years back are these books linked too? a hell of alot older than you your grandparents, and their grandparents and on and on. what religion is it that I mentioned? was it hindu or catholic or was it maybe judasim or possibly Latter days maybe the muslim faith.

 

You have a hard time just answering the one question don't you? For the last time, why did you mean when you said "plain and simple they are going to hell?" Please just answer that one question.:beathorse::banghead:

 

If you honestly believe this you might consider reading the book "Founding Faith" a well researched book by the founder of Beliefnet.com (see link below). The founders ideas of religion probably are very different than what you think they are and different than what I thought they were (I am not a Christian).

http://www.amazon.com/Founding-Faith-Providence-Politics-Religious/dp/1400064376

 

Just to refresh your recollection, the question was:

What does it mean to an atheist, or a believer in a non-Christian religion, to swear on the Bible?

My point being that, since the purpose of having a witness swear on a Bible is to insure that they will tell the truth, I don't see how that works if they don't believe in it. Although I don't expect a sensible answer from you, based on your posts so far.

 

That's why in Freemasonry a candidate takes his oath on the religious book of his choosing, as a Bible to a Muslim would mean nothing and vice versa.

Maybe the court system could consider likewise.

 

Wasn't there a case recently, somebody wanted to be sworn in on the Koran, there wasn't one available so they affirmed instead, and then sued the state. The case was dismissed because the issue had already been resolved in that particular instance, that was appealed, and the appeals court reversed the dismissal saying the issue would come up again, so it should be litigated. That's the last I remember hearing of it, and that has been several months ago. Ring any bells with you?

 

Yeah, think that was in Greensboro (Guilford County)

 

Do you know what ever happened with that case?

 

Found it.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/614033.html

Here are the first two paragraphs of the article: