Why do we swear on the bible in a court of law when the bible is just a book to many?
I've always found that a little odd. I have sworn on the Bible in court but the fact it was the bible made no difference to me. It could have been a joke book. The ACT of swearing to tell the truth for ME is about honoring the process of the justice system. I take it seriously but God is not in that equation for me. Do you think liars, cheats, thieves, murderers are really going to tell the truth because they swore on the bible? What about you personally? What does swearing on the bible mean to you?
2013-07-07T06:10:39Z
Jennifer .. close! It was the 1970's :)
Jennifer2013-07-07T06:03:35Z
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When was the last time you were in a courtroom? The 1950s? I've never seen a modern court ask someone to swear on a Bible. And I live in the south, so if it was gonna be done, it would done here. Don't believe everything you see in the movies.
First, you're assuming the Bible is a e book of lies, which a lot of human beings might disagree with. merely by using fact which you do not discover cost in the e book does not mean anybody else feels the comparable way. 2d, the use (or not) of the Bible to swear upon is a private determination, yet it must be hardship-unfastened practice in some communities. it is historic utilization replaced into based on the honor that followers of that distinctive faith have/had for the Bible, which symbolically via extension imparts the seriousness of the oath to tell the certainty. the U. S. splendid Courts has already ruled that a guy or woman won't be able to be forced to swear on the Bible, nor be required to take an oath (in the non secular experience of the word) in any respect. The minimum requirement is that the guy verify their testimony would be genuine, and that they are attentive to the implications of perjury. Contempt of courtroom, BTW, means refusing to obey a courtroom order. It does not mean merely showing disrespect for the courtroom, apart from attorneys who've already promised to tutor appreciate for the courtroom as area of their expert oath.
Outside of Hollywood movies, this isn't done anymore and hasn't been for a long time.
I've been on jury duty for a couple of trials now, and had to watch quite a few while waiting for my trials to be called and I've never seen anyone swear on a bible. They're asked to affirm they'll tell the truth and that is all.
In the UK at least it is your choice - you can swear on the Bible, or on another Holy Book if you are of a different faith, or you can make a solemn promise to tell the truth which doesn't bring god into it at all. I would be surprised if people in the USA do not have the same options.