What would you swear on, and what do you think the courts should swear on?

Even though I am actually a Deist. I would just swear on a book of law, though I will accept a swearing on a porno mag.

As for the courts? Book of law, or some other substitute. I never understood the idea of "swearing" on something though. Seems like wasted time for rituals that guarantee nothing.

I would give an affirmation. Courts where I live allow affirmations in lieu of oaths. If a person in a court has the preference of making an oath upon a holy book then I have no issue with that.

For as far as I know it's not common to swear on something here, I'm not sure it's even possible if one wanted. Sounds just about right to me. Oaths in court don't get power from vague metaphysical concepts, but because of the 'officialness' and the blunt fact that if it turns out you still lied, you're in serious trouble.

If asked to solemnly swear before a court that what I was about to say was completely true (to the best of my knowledge), I'd happily use a Bible. As far as I'm concerned it's just symbolism. Of course, I personally believe the Bible is a book of fairy-tales, but within the context of a courtroom it's a symbol of some gravitas and I'd like to think I'm grown-up enough to treat it as such. I'd happily do the same using a Koran in an Islamic country, or a copy of the Communist Manifesto if I was in China (or a 1938 #1 issue of Action Comics in Fictionistan, my point stays the same). I wouldn't see any hypocrisy in doing that.

I'd rather just have people say

"I ain't gonna commit no perjury hyuk!"

Probably a book of law, but then as others have already said, the gesture is absolutely meaningless, believeing someone will tell the truth because they place their hand on a book of fairy tales is naive. The question I wonder though, is how would my rejection reflect on me as a defendent? The jury's decision is as subjective as any other group of people, and they're more prone to let a friendly, charming person go free despite the evidence.

So here's my dilemma, do I abandon my criticisms of the Bible and place my hand on it to appear a "good, christian man", or deny it and look like I'm not willing to pledge an oath of truth to a God the jury believes in, causing my action to seem more suspicious?

I would have to swear on a book of law.

I couldn't swear on a bible, I would find it ironic to swear an oath of truth on a book of lies.

Of course if I had to do this in another country like America I would be very sceptical about this principle as I wouldn't trust the judge and jury to not take this into account when judging what i've said, in fact I would be quite confident the "but he's not christian so his testemony can't be trusted to be honest" would be brought up by at least a few members of the jury.

Myself. I would swear on my own word. A person's integrity is more valuable than any external object.

Agnostic myself, and I think atheism is silly. An atheist has to know a lot more than I do. I'm going to be the best person I can and not worry about whether I have an immortal soul. And I think a person can find evidence for any belief they have. If you want to prove to yourself that God is real, you can, because evidence is there. If you want to prove to yourself that people with religious beliefs are deluded, you can, because evidence is there.

Rage19:

Of course if I had to do this in another country like America I would be very sceptical about this principle as I wouldn't trust the judge and jury to not take this into account when judging what i've said, in fact I would be quite confident the "but he's not christian so his testemony can't be trusted to be honest" would be brought up by at least a few members of the jury.

Considering poll/survey numbers I've seen, you'd be more trusted in America if you chose to swear on a Qur'an than on nothing at all.

As for the OP: Affirmation. Problem solved.

Well, if they insist, I guess I could. Just makes it much easier to lie.

Yassen:
So here's my dilemma, do I abandon my criticisms of the Bible and place my hand on it to appear a "good, christian man", or deny it and look like I'm not willing to pledge an oath of truth to a God the jury believes in, causing my action to seem more suspicious?

Or worse still, what if you swore on the Bible, and later you were cross-examined and it emerged you were atheist? Wouldn't swearing on the Bible be possibly seen as an act of deceit or hypocrisy, and could be used against you as a criticism of your character? Then again, refusing to swear on the Bible could be seen as an indication of immorality and suspiciousness in the first place, if the jury was suitably religious. It's a no-win situation.

I suppose I'd point out as soon as possible that I was an atheist, but as a display of my goodwill and earnestness, I would swear on the Bible in a purely symbolic capacity.

If I had to swear on something then maybe the communist manifesto to annoy those forcing me to swear on stuff but that would do more harm than good so probably a copy on 1984, what the world would become if we weren't just in our actions.

I would take a oath on a reciept for apple pie, hotdogs, a football, and some baseballs. It only makes sense since that is pretty much american culture in a nutshell.

Yassen:
Probably a book of law, but then as others have already said, the gesture is absolutely meaningless, believeing someone will tell the truth because they place their hand on a book of fairy tales is naive.

It's not illegal to lie, generally speaking, so you are required to make a binding "promise" to the court that you will tell the truth. While some people may believe (or believed in the past) that the bible serves as some sort or reminder of one's duty and morality the core issue is really the legally binding promise and not so much that anyone is going to be struck by lightning if they break it.

Blablahb:
For as far as I know it's not common to swear on something here, I'm not sure it's even possible if one wanted. Sounds just about right to me. Oaths in court don't get power from vague metaphysical concepts, but because of the 'officialness' and the blunt fact that if it turns out you still lied, you're in serious trouble.

Someone on another forum (and someone here too) made an interesting observation that the testimony of a person who fails to make an oath on the bible may be considered less sincere by some people. His opinion was that swearing on holy books in court ought to be outlawed.

Yassen:
Probably a book of law, but then as others have already said, the gesture is absolutely meaningless, believeing someone will tell the truth because they place their hand on a book of fairy tales is naive. The question I wonder though, is how would my rejection reflect on me as a defendent? The jury's decision is as subjective as any other group of people, and they're more prone to let a friendly, charming person go free despite the evidence.

So here's my dilemma, do I abandon my criticisms of the Bible and place my hand on it to appear a "good, christian man", or deny it and look like I'm not willing to pledge an oath of truth to a God the jury believes in, causing my action to seem more suspicious?

This actually brings up a very interesting point.

In the US justice system if you are an Atheist Defendant is it possible to remove Christian jurors due to the likely bias against you. The evidence is that there is an extreme bias towards Atheists by Christians in the US. There is no limit to the number of strikes for cause so you would effectively be able to remove all Christians from the pool.

It would be interesting to see if this has ever happened.

People lie all the time, swearing on anything is a waste of time and should just be removed all together.

However I would swear on the law if it were my choice. Certainly the risk of getting caught and thrown in jail is reason enough not to lie. But swearing on a bible really doesn't affect me, in fact it may help my case if I appear to match what 70% of the jurors believe.

I'm agnostic by the way.

I'm not agnostic, but this does make me curious. Can I opt out of swearing on the bible? As a pagan, maybe I should carry around a copy of The Odyssey in case I'm ever brought to trial.

Amnestic:

Rage19:

Of course if I had to do this in another country like America I would be very sceptical about this principle as I wouldn't trust the judge and jury to not take this into account when judging what i've said, in fact I would be quite confident the "but he's not christian so his testemony can't be trusted to be honest" would be brought up by at least a few members of the jury.

Considering poll/survey numbers I've seen, you'd be more trusted in America if you chose to swear on a Qur'an than on nothing at all.

As for the OP: Affirmation. Problem solved.

depends on were in the U.S, considering most of those polls i have seen were in all very heavy hardcore christian states (seriously they did the study in Alabama) if he were in california, or other liberal and moderate states he would be fine.

Why would you need to swear on anything in the first place?

The judge simply telling you when you take the witness stand that if you lie you'll be criminally charged and sent to prison should be motivation enough.

A stack of First Issue original print comics of my favourite characters: Doctor Strange, Captain Britain, etc.

If I were in court I would have to inform them that swearing on a Bible means absolutely nothing to me and would as such be a meaningless display, whereas comci books that I actually respect the value and importance of would be more significant... especially if they let me keep them. Although I already have a few firsts and one that hasnt even been coloured yet, yeah ladies... Mr. Bigshot over here(!)

The_root_of_all_evil:

What would you swear on, and what do you think the courts should swear on?

Since when do you come on here? :P

I dunno. You could make it something way over the top like the lives of everyone you love- who's still alive.

Then I should think very few would lie.

'Course you might end up killing a lot of people.

I would swear on my own honour.
That is all. I see no physical object fit to bind me to the truth.
It's all a silly farce. Liars are going to lie, whether they've sworn or not.
The bible is hardly The one ring.

I don't think people normally swear in courts here though.

If I was in a US court however, I would, as others have said before me, swear on the bible to gain the sympathy of the jury.

Danny Ocean:

Since when do you come on here? :P

I get around :)

My rule of thumb is to not start a flame war if necessary, and that makes it tough on here :)

For me, as a Polytheistic Agnostic (Don't really believe in anything, but don't disbelieve either) - I'd say your passport or the like.

Then a) You've got it with you.
b) For perjury, you've tainted it and rendered it useless; so it's destroyed.

How's that for punishment fitting the crime :)

Why do we need to swear on something? Mechanically, all that's happening is that you're acknowledging that you are legally required to tell the truth and will face penalties if caught lying. Drop the ceremony and get it done.

I would swear on a still wrapped original copy of Deus Ex.

I'd probably swear on a compilation of The Brothers' Grimm fairy tales. Just to be a dick.

Jonluw:
I would swear on my own honour.
That is all. I see no physical object fit to bind me to the truth.
It's all a silly farce. Liars are going to lie, whether they've sworn or not.
The bible is hardly The one ring.

I don't think people normally swear in courts here though.

If I was in a US court however, I would, as others have said before me, swear on the bible to gain the sympathy of the jury.

make sure to have a tear running down your cheek

but you first point is 100% spot on. it doesnt matter what they swear on for the most part, but having said that swearing on my hounor will usually make me tell the truth and swearing on my father's ashes will keep me from lying in any situation

TheStatutoryApe:

Blablahb:
For as far as I know it's not common to swear on something here, I'm not sure it's even possible if one wanted. Sounds just about right to me. Oaths in court don't get power from vague metaphysical concepts, but because of the 'officialness' and the blunt fact that if it turns out you still lied, you're in serious trouble.

Someone on another forum (and someone here too) made an interesting observation that the testimony of a person who fails to make an oath on the bible may be considered less sincere by some people. His opinion was that swearing on holy books in court ought to be outlawed.

I think that's a really good point. Something so unnecessary that could possibly bias the jury should simply be removed. Then again if the jury is so picky like that there's a problem with the selection anyway perhaps -__-

spartandude:

Jonluw:
I would swear on my own honour.
That is all. I see no physical object fit to bind me to the truth.
It's all a silly farce. Liars are going to lie, whether they've sworn or not.
The bible is hardly The one ring.

I don't think people normally swear in courts here though.

If I was in a US court however, I would, as others have said before me, swear on the bible to gain the sympathy of the jury.

make sure to have a tear running down your cheek

but you first point is 100% spot on. it doesnt matter what they swear on for the most part, but having said that swearing on my hounor will usually make me tell the truth and swearing on my father's ashes will keep me from lying in any situation

Yeah.
Wouldn't it be awesome if the bible was like The one ring though?
Christian extremists going all "my precioussss". And some guy trying to throw it into a volcano somewhere.
That'd make for a bitchin' version of The book of Eli, that much is for sure.

In the climax, Bill O'Reilly bites off Carl Sagan's finger.

I'll swear on anything honestly. Mostly because if I was on trial for a crime that I committed, I wouldn't let swearing on a bible, the Koran, or a pile of porn magazines keep me from lying. On the same token, I would just tell the truth regardless if I didn't do anything or it was someone else's case.

That's strictly speaking for myself, I believe people in general should just swear on whatever they hold in highest esteem.