The Atheist World View

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by eclectic

when I was on jury duty last year I just had to quietly hand the bible back and flip the card to read the secular oath.

The secular oath?? Yippee, nice to see some things do change.

[eclectic]

I don't remember exactly what it was, but I didn't have to swear on anything except my self... just made a promise (to hear the evidence impartially etc.)

[Vonnie]

The difference is "swearing" (usually on a Bible, but also on Koran, etc) and "affirming". It's actually law that where a participant is required to give oath, they are offered the option to swear or affirm.

Duffy, you should never have been placed in that position! You should have been given the option to swear or affirm. Personally, I would have made a formal complaint!

Vonnie

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by Vonnie

Duffy, you should never have been placed in that position! You should have been given the option to swear or affirm. Personally, I would have made a formal complaint!

Vonnie

It happened in my 20s. The new improved Duffy would, most certainly!

[David Nicholls]

An affirmation to tell the truth in a court of law came about because of Christianity. I think it was Quakers, who were responsible. They believed one should tell the truth all the time and not just in legal circumstances. There Biblical justification was James 5:12 (KJV)

“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”

Maybe then, or maybe later, Matthew 5:34 (KJV) was also invoked:

“But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:”

So, folks, whether you swear on a holy book or make an affirmation to tell the truth, you do so as a religious ritual. BTW, in a court of law, it could be seen as suspicious, with a jury not knowing the history of affirmation, to not swear on the Bible. Think America.

David

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by David Nicholls

So, folks, whether you swear on a holy book or make an affirmation to tell the truth, you do so as a religious ritual. BTW, in a court of law, it could be seen as suspicious, with a jury not knowing the history of affirmation, to not swear on the Bible. Think America.

David

I always suspected that I wasn't chosen for jury duty because I wouldn't swear on the bible, but it's not something I can confirm.

[davo]

I'd just turn up in pirate regalia and ask them which swear words they want me to use, here I have a list prepared.

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by davo

I'd just turn up in pirate regalia and ask them which swear words they want me to use, here I have a list prepared.

hahahahaha love to see their faces hahahahaha