What would happen in America if I had to swear on the bible?

[crazylegsmurphy]

I am admitting total ignorance on this being that I'm a Canadian, but what would happen if I were say called to testify in court in the USA, and I refused to "tell the truth so help me God?"

Thanks,

CLM

[VickiRW]

It isn't required (outside of TV dramatizations or course.) You are asked to affirm that you will tell the truth.

[crazylegsmurphy]

Oh, ok cool.

Do they ask you before what you prefer? What if I was on trial in Texas or something? I'm not sure I would be comfortable saying, "Umm, sorry, I don't believe in God, can I just swear to tell the truth."

Or would that hurt my chances with the jury regardless?

[VickiRW]

I'm not sure how it all goes down other than I know you can make arrangements ahead of time to take the oath in your preferred way. There are religious people who don't do the "I swear... so help me God" thing because the Bible says not to swear. Most are fine with it though, so - while it doesn't mark you as an atheist for sure - it does mark you as different. In Texas (sans Austin) that is probably a bad thing for you.

[Spectrox War]

In the UK there are 2 options - either a religious oath or a secular oath. They both basically say the same thing about "I promise to tell the truth."

[Keep The Reason]

I had to give a deposition once and they did the "So help me god" thing. I said, "I prefer to be affirmed, since I do not believe in god." These lawyers (three of them no less) said, "Affirmed? What's that?"

I couldn't believe it. So I explained it to them and the secretary who was taking down the notes told them what it meant.

[crazylegsmurphy]

I have been thinking a lot about this, and I think if I were on trial I would swear on the bible. I would simply be too scared that I would be discriminated against if I asked for the secular version.

Of course, then what would happen if it came out later I was an atheist, how would that reflect on me for swearing on the bible?

I dunno what I would do.

[Rian]

I had to give a deposition once and they did the "So help me god" thing. I said, "I prefer to be affirmed, since I do not believe in god." These lawyers (three of them no less) said, "Affirmed? What's that?"

I couldn't believe it. So I explained it to them and the secretary who was taking down the notes told them what it meant.

That's pretty pathetic. They must have just been ambulance-chasers. Or were they just legal assistants? But they should have known that anyway. I know that people can choose to "swear" (or whatever they want to call it) on anything meaningful, and I don't have a background in law. But I read a lot and am curious and will research things and so I knew that.


ps - Hi legs! What's up? Hope you're doing well

[Keep The Reason]

I had to give a deposition once and they did the "So help me god" thing. I said, "I prefer to be affirmed, since I do not believe in god." These lawyers (three of them no less) said, "Affirmed? What's that?"

I couldn't believe it. So I explained it to them and the secretary who was taking down the notes told them what it meant.

That's pretty pathetic. They must have just been ambulance-chasers. Or were they just legal assistants? But they should have known that anyway. I know that people can choose to "swear" (or whatever they want to call it) on anything meaningful, and I don't have a background in law. But I read a lot and am curious and will research things and so I knew that.

They were corporate lawyers for the company I work for.

[Rian]

I'm surprised at that ... you would think that would be covered ...