I swear to tell the truth, nothing but the truth

Social Forums Non-Philosophical Chat
1

We have to swear with our hand on the bible when we are going to declare something in the court, right? ( i don’t the the right terms in english, sorry if i sound a bit lame)

But if am not religious, and if don’t believe in God at all… should I still do it? Can I say I wont swear cos I don’t believe in God? What would the judge do? Is there an alternative?

I didn’t want to post this anywhere else, cos actually is just a curiosity really

2

You’d still swear on the bible unless it in some way offends you. It’s more of a dated tradition now…

They use the bible because it is a symbol of the authory of God or something like that… It’s for symbolicism, swearing on something most people respect.

3

… although Jesus Himself tells us not to swear.
So swearing with the hand on The Bible it’s like appealing to people’s respect to The Bible, where it says that you shouldn’t swear at all.
Intriguing, isn’t it?

4

What is i am offended to swear to something i don’t believe and just say ‘I won’t swear anything’

What happens?

Claudius,
hehe… i didn’t know that. Apparently i wasn’t the only one not to know it either… Thanks for the info…

5

they could get something you do respect to swear on? Uhh… how’s Plato’s Republic sound to you? :wink:

6

i’d rather swear on Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings…

No seriously… can i NOT swear at all. Not that i am going to court soon… just wondering. hehe

7

Hmm, I think it is all tradition, what they care about the most is catching you in a lie, then they can really do you some damage.

8

Here in the USA they have changed that part. The bible is only used if you choose. You just have to promise to tell the truth not swear anymore if it goes against your beliefs. Judges for the most part accept that. The old old long time sitting ones may have a hissy fit about it. But, not really the younger ones.

9

let 'em have a hissy fit… they probably can’t move their knees anyway been sitting for so long…

-Imp

10

Here in Australia you are also given the choice of swearing on the Bible or making a (non-religious) oath.

What we need in courtrooms are formal logicians.