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If an atheist has to go to court, do they make him swear on the Bible?

34 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    You can chose to not swear on the bible if it is against your religious beliefs.

  • 1 decade ago

    In the UK you don't have to swear on the bible and there other books of religion for a person to make their affirmation. In the atheist the court accepts a non-belief affirmation to tell the truth. It carries the same importance as a "sworn" affirmation.

  • 1 decade ago

    Actually - no. I was a witness once and swore an oath, rather than on the bible. Does that make sense?

    Anyway, the answer is no. I would never swear on the bible, anymore than I would on a copy of Anne of Green Gables.

  • 1 decade ago

    I don't think a committed athiest would have to swear on the Bible. Similar for a non-Christian, I can't see how they could be forced to swear on the Bible. In any case, I'm not sure swearing on the Bible is Biblical.

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  • Rob
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    You swear an oath of affirmation.

    Swearing on a bible is such a silly superstition. Might as well avoid walking under any ladders on your way to court, and pick up a lucky penny.

  • 1 decade ago

    They don't make anyone swear on the bible anymore. This question is asked at least twice a day.

  • 1 decade ago

    As I have never been to court I don't know, but what if you are Jewish, or Muslim, or Hindu - they wouldn't make you swear on a Christian Bible then would they?

  • 1 decade ago

    You could have saved yourself 2 points by reading the questions that popped up below the place where you typed in this question... it is asked at least every week I think.

    Edit: OH!!! Doh!! and... they stopped that a long time ago in courts... now you just raise your hand and affirm that you will tell the truth.

    Source(s): I wondered why the frisbee kept getting larger and larger... and then it hit me!!
  • 1 decade ago

    No they don't. An atheist can "affirm" and be sworn in “any form he deems binding on his conscience.” Like people from other religions that do not acknowledge the Bible as a holy book.

  • Depends on the country too!!

    At any rate, in the US, you will not have to swear by the Bible if your convictions do not allow you to. But you have still have to agree to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth .....

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