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Should the courts be still using the bible?

  • 30-11-2011 12:53AM
    #1
    LighterGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,243 ✭✭✭


    For the record I believe in God. This isnt an atheist vs religion thread (lets try to keep it that way too)

    But why do they still use it?

    - There's alot of liars out there who believe in god. That by placing their hand and swearing to tell the truth isnt going to change a thing.
    - There are a lot of atheists in this world. The idea of swearing on a book they dont believe in doesnt mean a thing.

    So .... why still continue to use it?

    Should the courts continue to use the bible? 20 votes

    yes
    0% 0 votes
    no
    100% 20 votes


«1

Comments

  • #2
    TeddyTedson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,758 ✭✭✭✭TeddyTedson


    You have a point.
    It's a load of ****e and they should just use lie detectors.


  • #3
    Sulmac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭Sulmac


    Those who aren't Christian can make an affirmation rather than swear on the Bible.
    Citizens Information

    If you wish to make the affirmation (suitable for those who are not Christians), then you must tell the registrar. The words of the affirmation are "I, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence that I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth".


  • #4
    LighterGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,243 ✭✭✭LighterGuy


    Sulmac wrote: »
    Those who aren't Christian can make an affirmation rather than swear on the Bible.

    Never knew that Sulmac.
    But even then "I, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence that I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" aint going to mean much to a liar :pac:


  • #5
    kippy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭kippy


    Should Judges be refered to as "My Lord" - or has that stopped.....


  • #6
    TeddyTedson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,758 ✭✭✭✭TeddyTedson


    Sulmac wrote: »
    Those who aren't Christian can make an affirmation rather than swear on the Bible.
    But I'm a Christian and made my affirmation when I was in 6th class :p


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  • #7
    Sulmac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭Sulmac


    kippy wrote: »
    Should Judges be refered to as "My Lord" - or has that stopped.....

    Yes, it has. It's just 'Judge' now. They've also taken off the wigs.


  • #8
    TheZohanS
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,581 ✭✭✭✭TheZohanS


    A more apt question is should we still use the courts? They're every bit as out of date as the bible, they're both a law upon themselves and both are in dire need of an overhaul.

    Judges are fcuking useless.


  • #9
    partyatmygaff
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,992 ✭✭✭✭partyatmygaff


    Sulmac wrote: »
    Those who aren't Christian can make an affirmation rather than swear on the Bible.
    And that's the thread pretty much defused...


  • #10
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,242 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    When asked, why not state that you're an atheist and wish to refrain from swearing on fiction.


  • #11
    emer_b
    Closed Accounts Posts: 483 ✭✭emer_b


    I've never been to an irish court.
    Do they actually make people swear on the bible, or is that just in tv land?
    Either way, surely an athiest can't be asked to swear on a bible, thats just farce isnt it?

    just read Sulmacs post, question answered.


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  • #12
    My name is URL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,626 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    If you're innocent or an atheist then you have nothing to worry about


  • #13
    Saila
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,751 ✭✭✭Saila


    Eh it just symbolises that you are telling the truth, the real evidence of lying or not is with the stenographers I think they are called which type everything out thats said in court.


  • #14
    LighterGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,243 ✭✭✭LighterGuy


    ItsThatManAgain wrote: »
    When asked, why not state that you're an atheist and wish to refrain from swearing on fiction.
    LighterGuy wrote: »
    This isnt an atheist vs religion thread (lets try to keep it that way too)

    This thread isnt about a persons beliefs. By saying such a word as "fiction" all you are doing is inciting people to turn it into such a thread.

    If you believe the bible to be fiction. So be it. Your belief. But the door swings both ways.


  • #15
    saa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭saa


    It shouldn't be the bible but there has to be a gesture. It would never mean you're not going to lie because you have a belief in something, lying to stay out of prison trumps every religious belief, gesture or oath for most people.

    But as for the whole church and state thing yes take away the shackles nothing to do with me being offended as an atheist or no one thinking about my beliefs feck that.


  • #16
    Lapin
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 18,183 ✭✭✭✭Lapin


    ItsThatManAgain wrote: »
    When asked, why not state that you're an atheist and wish to refrain from swearing on fiction.

    I often thought of doing that if I ever end up before a judge.

    But I'd be concerned it might send out a negative tone if the judge (or Jury if there is one) are strong belivers in the bible.

    It would set a prejudicial slant against me before the case even began.

    No, I'd just go with the flow and swear on the bible to keep em all happy.
    It means little to me anyway so I might as well be swearing bus timetable.


  • #17
    ejmaztec
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,369 ✭✭✭✭ejmaztec


    The best liar always wins in court.


  • #18
    Zebra3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,299 ✭✭✭✭Zebra3


    Sulmac wrote: »
    Those who aren't Christian can make an affirmation rather than swear on the Bible.

    So christians get to swear on their book but those of other religons can't swear on their equivalent?

    Discrimination if you ask me.


  • #19
    Chuck Stone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,029 ✭✭✭✭Chuck Stone


    They should hide Korans inside Bible covers and vice versa so those who swear on them get a nasty shock when they die.

    Yeap, post-mortem pranking.


  • #20
    holystungun9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,933 ✭✭✭holystungun9


    TheZohan wrote: »
    A more apt question is should we still use the courts? They're every bit as out of date as the bible, they're both a law upon themselves and both are in dire need of an overhaul.

    Judges are fcuking useless.

    I sentence you to a week washing your filthy mouth with soap young man!

    Also, you can make a donation to (my backpocket) the court poor box. We will take any donation into account when dishing out 'justice' in your case.


  • #21
    Sulmac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭Sulmac


    Zebra3 wrote: »
    So christians get to swear on their book but those of other religons can't swear on their equivalent?

    Discrimination if you ask me.

    I agree. I always thought that the courts had a selection of holy books for those from other religions, but apparently not.

    Either get rid of the Bible and make everyone make an affirmation, or bring in the relevant holy books for those of other faiths.


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  • #22
    Chuck Stone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,029 ✭✭✭✭Chuck Stone


    Sulmac wrote: »
    Either get rid of the Bible and make everyone make an affirmation, or bring in the relevant holy books for those of other faiths.

    I'd bring in 'The BFG' by Roald Dahl and insist on swearing on that book and to the almighty Big Friendly Giant.


  • #23
    Logical Fallacy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,933 ✭✭✭Logical Fallacy


    TeddyTedson wrote: »
    You have a point.
    It's a load of ****e and they should just use lie detectors.

    Lie detectors are very inaccurate.


  • #24
    KeithAFC
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,239 ✭✭✭✭KeithAFC


    TeddyTedson wrote: »
    You have a point.
    It's a load of ****e and they should just use lie detectors.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZXrzgXnOE8


  • #25
    Deus Ex Machina
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,556 ✭✭✭Deus Ex Machina


    Logical Fallacy wrote: »
    Lie detectors are very inaccurate.

    Lie detectors don't exist.


  • #26
    Saila
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,751 ✭✭✭Saila


    Deus Ex Machina wrote: »
    Lie detectors don't exist.

    lies! :mad:


  • #27
    TeddyTedson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,758 ✭✭✭✭TeddyTedson


    Deus Ex Machina wrote: »
    Lie detectors don't exist.
    I'm not believing you unless you swear it to me


  • #28
    mikeyboy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 196 ✭✭mikeyboy


    Aren't witnesses free to swear on whatever sacred text (or none) they wish whether it be the Bible, Quran or Tao-te Ching? It's just that as Ireland is ostensibly 90%+ Christian the Bible makes the most sense to have in the Courts


  • #29
    Fart
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,825 ✭✭✭Fart


    I voted "Yes" by accident. :mad:


  • #30
    LighterGuy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,243 ✭✭✭LighterGuy


    Fart wrote: »
    I voted "Yes" by accident. :mad:

    I like that.
    Glad my thread could some how annoy you :pac:


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  • #31
    Kanoe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,522 ✭✭✭Kanoe


    I had to swear on the bible to a courts clerk in order to get permission to work in a specific place, (as garda clearance would have taken too long) I felt really stupid doing it. He might as well have been asking me to put my hand on the argos catalogue while stating I'm telling the truth.


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