Oath to the Bible in court

Shrubz

Ive never been to court and dont know much about its workings, As an atheist Im curious about the swearing an oath to the Bible. What if you object to the oath? What happens?

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Shrubz wrote: »

Ive never been to court and dont know much about its workings, As an atheist Im curious about the swearing an oath to the Bible. What if you object to the oath? What happens?

You can ask to take the solemn affirmation, which is entirely secular. Its very routine and nothing to get worked up over.

NoQuarter

You simply ask the registrar to allow you to swear a solemn affirmation instead. No big deal, happens all the time.

Shrubz

Ah I see, thanks for replies. I had just read an article about someone swearing the oath

Pro Hoc Vice

Shrubz wrote: »

Ah I see, thanks for replies. I had just read an article about someone swearing the oath

A person is asked to sear or affirm most people from what I have seen swear. But there is no problem with affirmation. There is usually in the Court a Bible, a Koran and a copy of the Torah.

ScaliaJ

Shrubz wrote: »

Ive never been to court and dont know much about its workings, As an atheist Im curious about the swearing an oath to the Bible. What if you object to the oath? What happens?

Good blog post by a solicitor on the topic:

http://aclatterofthelaw.com/2012/05/24/oaths-at-best-embarrassing-and-at-worst-offensive/

As the above posters have said you'll take the alternative to the oath know as the affirmation:

I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

johnnyskeleton

I heard somewhere, though it might be an 18th century custom or something, that very devout Christians or priests should affirm rather than swear because god doesn't like it or something about taking the lords name in vein.

Anyone else heard about this?

the world wonders

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

I heard somewhere, though it might be an 18th century custom or something, that very devout Christians or priests should affirm rather than swear because god doesn't like it or something about taking the lords name in vein.

Anyone else heard about this?

There are certain Christian groups e.g. Quakers who object to swearing oaths based on their interpretation of certain bible verses.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath#Christian_tradition

Grolschevik

Do they ask the faith of a witness beforehand?

Just thinking of a scenario where an atheist chooses to swear on a Bible with the intent to perjure himself on the lines of the old DeValera 'empty formula' thing.

Not suggesting such a defence would stand, of course. Just wondering if it's ever been tried.

Pro Hoc Vice

Grolschevik wrote: »

Do they ask the faith of a witness beforehand?

Just thinking of a scenario where an atheist chooses to swear on a Bible with the intent to perjure himself on the lines of the old DeValera 'empty formula' thing.

Not suggesting such a defence would stand, of course. Just wondering if it's ever been tried.

No the person is not asked, to lie on oath or affirmation is perjury, the maximum penalty for perjury is 14 years transportation.

Grolschevik

Has anyone ever tried the line "sure it's the same as swearing on the Flying Spaghetti Monster, pure meaningless"?

Shrubz

Grolschevik wrote: »

Do they ask the faith of a witness beforehand?

Just thinking of a scenario where an atheist chooses to swear on a Bible with the intent to perjure himself on the lines of the old DeValera 'empty formula' thing.

Not suggesting such a defence would stand, of course. Just wondering if it's ever been tried.

Yea, its pretty ridiculous, meaningless and outdated. What is the point? I might try that defence if im ever up for something " Im not taking any of this seriously".

Pro Hoc Vice

Shrubz wrote: »

Yea, its pretty ridiculous, meaningless and outdated. What is the point? I might try that defence if im ever up for something " Im not taking any of this seriously".

The point is a legal point. People are expected to tell the truth in court. The oath or affirmation is in reality reminding them of that, and the person is aware that they must tell the truth. It is a criminal offence to commit perjury.

If a person came out with "I'm not taking any of this seriously" expect a rebuke from the Court at the very least, and expect to see the inside of the holding cells. Until the contempt is purged.