How does a non Christian/Atheist living in Christian country swear the oath in court?

Munnyn

In the UK, a member of a non-Christian religion may swear an oath by their own appropriate godhead with an appropriate religious text to hand. There are a number of pre-arranged wordings for all the major religions, though specific wordings may be arranged with the court for less common religions.

It should be noted that whilst people are said to 'swear on the Bible', the essential part of the oath is that it calls on God as a witness, not the text itself. Many observers of non-Christian religions are comfortable with the notion that they ultimately worship the same God as do Christians.

An individual who does not profess to hold any religious belief, or does not wish to swear by their religious beliefs may make an affirmation, reciting the words 'I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that...'

The 'affirmation' is not technically an oath, as there is no appeal to a sacred witness, however, the practical purpose is the same and it holds the same status under law.

This arrangement is not new, and has existed in England since the reign of William III, 1696-1696. It was first introduced to accommodate the views of Christian Quakers, who believe that the in the Bible itself forbids them to swear oaths. In Matthew 5:34-37, Christ is written to say "I say to you: 'Swear not at all'".

This legal principle is now embodied in the Oaths Act 1978, c.19.

Similar arrangements exist in most modern 'Christian countries'. In the USA, for instance, the idea that a citizen can make either an 'oath or affirmation' is stated on four separate occasions in the final draft of the 1787 Constitution.

rhsaunders

"I do solemly affirm..."

americanfreeman

In the USA they no longer do that. You justswear to tell the truth. No bible or God mentioned.

Wooglet Voot

They affirm and not swear. Many Christians will not swear either. Against their religion.

arejokerswild

No one has to swear on a bible. You can affirm instead of swear also. Either way it is perjury if you lie and you can be arrested and charged.

whip

you raise your right hand.you don't have your hand on the bible.

Samian Quazi

you don't have to swear on the Bible btw

S P

Well, it's all supposedly the same god anyway. In such cases, they use the Koran, or whichever holy scriptures their religion has.

geoff w

you make an affirmation,,,ie
i do solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence i shall give will be the truth,the whole truth and nothing but the truth,,, if you are an aetheist or agnostic

Ivan R

Hello,

(ANS) Obviously, if like me you are an Atheist and don't believe in any kind of God or any kind of Religion then you cannot take a conventional oath based on the idea of the bible.

**However, I do think courts of law have other methods which a judge would take into account, you could still swear an oath to tell the truth, whole truth & nothing but the truth you just wouldn't swear it to god or the bible. But you would have to agree to be totally honest & truthful even as an Atheist.

**To many Atheists the Bible & God are NOT the truth anyway so would never swear on a book they believed to be lies & fairy stories or just plain make believe. Even if it is ancient make believe.

**God & Religion are only human constructs.

**God & Religion only exist in the mind of man nothing more.

**Just because I'm (we, you or me) atheist it doesn't mean I'm NOT accountable for my actions within societies laws & rules. If anything Atheists are MUCH more responsible than most people because they have a stronger grasp of the simple fact that words & actions have direct consequences. I don't ever seek to dump the blame on god or religion for what I have done, even if I have done wrong. The responsability is mine alone nobody else's, the buck stops here with me.

Ivan.

Dan H

There's no law that says you have to swear on a bible. You do have to swear to tell the truth.

Now, if you want a fair hearing and your case is being held in the bible belt, you may want to shove your principles where they don't shine and just put your hand on the book and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.

ken b

In law, an affirmation is a solemn declaration allowed to those who conscientiously object to taking an oath. An affirmation has exactly the same legal effect as an oath, but is usually taken to avoid the religious implications of an oath. In some jurisdictions, it may only be given if such a reason is provided.

when asked to swear on whatever just ask to affirm

sashs.geo

In the UK - and I'm on the UK answers site

you can affirm - not use a holy book or use a different holy book such as the qu'ran.

Chinese people I believe smash a plate as part of their oath.

Rudie

Bailiff: "Raise your right hand."
(you raise your right hand)
Bailiff: "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
You: "I do."
Bailiff: "Please be seated."

Amazing how simple things get when you take religion out of the mix.

Antony D

same way that anyone does. I believe that the god part is just referring to whatever the highest being is. Not just limiting to someones beliefs.

groovymaude

They affirm, ie promise to tell the truth. The judge's religious convictions play no part, if a person chooses to swear on their own particular holy book, they are swearing the oath, not the judge.

georgieporgie2005uk

There is the option to Affirm rather than swear to God

TIM S

with a smirk, bible or not people lie on the stand for different reasons, i work closely with law enforcement and actually saw, with my own eyes a Catholic priest lie on the stand to save his butt, he failed, the evidence does not lie nor need to swear on a bible.

Eyeliner Gurl <333

umm yea i think so

Phil G

This is not a christian country, Obama is ready to get elected, that should be proof enough

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