Judge allows court oaths on any religious text

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Houston Chronicle/Associated Press

May 25, 2007, 2:15AM
Judge allows court oaths on any religious text

By STEVE HARTSOE
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. — Witnesses and jurors being sworn in at North Carolina courthouses can take their oath using any religious text, not just the Bible, a judge ruled Thursday.

Judge Paul Ridgeway said common law and state Supreme Court precedent allow witnesses and jurors to use the text "most sacred and obligatory upon their conscience."

The ruling came after the American Civil Liberties Union argued that limiting that text to the Bible was unconstitutional because it favored Christianity over other religions.

The issue surfaced when Muslims tried to donate copies of the Quran to Guilford County's two courthouses. Two judges declined to accept the texts, saying that taking an oath on the Quran was illegal under state law.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4834935.html

[silverojo]

1. But Wiccans don't HAVE a religious text

So what do we get to swear on? :shrug:

And I do hope copies of the Torah will be included in this new provision....

[krispos42]

2. The Wholly Webster's

Unabridged, of course... :-)

I think I'd ask for a copy of the Constitution, myself.

[silverojo]

17. Hey, the Constitution!

That's a great idea! :D

[RaRa]

23. My first thought too! eom

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. "by an affirmation using no religious symbols"

State law allows witnesses preparing to testify in court to take their oath by laying a hand over "the Holy Scriptures," by saying "so help me God" without the use of a religious book or by an affirmation using no religious symbols

[Marrah_G]

7. hmmmmmm good question

The Witch's Bible Complete? (by J and S Farrar, not that horrid other one)

Drawing Down the Moon?

Bucky's Big Blue Book?

Or what about Anything by Silver Ravenwolf for Juvenile Court? :rofl:

[silverojo]

18. LOL!

Or maybe a computer printout of The Witches' Rede? :rofl:

[Chovexani]

30. Ooh burn!

Gods I hate Silver Ravenwolf. :rofl:

I'd swear on the Egyptian Book of the Dead, myself. Or if I was feeling a little Discordian that day, a Terry Pratchett book. :D

[knight_of_the_star]

35. Ouch!

Nicely done

Personally I would ask for either the Eddas or the Book of Invasions.

[Crayson]

4. I'm an Atheist.... so...

What do I say in court?
"May YOUR god be my witness if he possibly exists as YOU believe and may that help you in believeing that what i say is the truth..."

or...
"I swear by this holy book of Darwin's Evolution that I only speak the truth..."

Or doesn't my statement count at all because I'm an unbeliever?


Why do people always need gods to be honest?
Always the threat that some higher being strikes them down with lightning of prevents their entry into paradise if the lie.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Taking an oath on the Constitution?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. Couldn't you swear on your honor?

Surely belief in one's self is as binding as belief in a god.

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. See reply #3 (n/t)

[fshrink]

14. You got it backwards:

the belief system is there to allow for lie and dishonesty, not to prevent them. As to Court, join the liar's club, say "I do".

[anotherdrew]

27. that's right, just lie lie lie as needed, then, later, you can just 'repent' n/t

[Pastiche423]

15. When I had to take the oath to be truthful in a North Carolina

courtroom, I saw the bible coming and turned to the judge and said I'm agnostic.

He said it was fine to raise my right hand and swear, w/o the bible and w/o the mention of god.

Btw, I won the case.

[Ilsa]

21. "I swear to tell the truth under penalty of perjury." ? ? ? nt

[Skittles]

25. the majority of people make up religion to try to make sense of an illogical world

the rest of us have to put up with it

[John Kerry VonErich]

36. An athiest friend was a character witness.

I remember asking him about God in the oath. He said it didn't bother him, God is just a word.

[Bandit]

6. Not many places are like that place

Most have no books of any sort. One simply raises their hand and swears to tell the truth. Completely secular...I guess if you live in the "bible belt" religion and government are intertwined...which does not abide by the Constitution but then what does these days?

[LostinVA]

16. Greensboro isn't a redneck little town

It's a purple area with alot of universities, an active gay community, and a large Quaker presence. It sounds like it was only two specific judges who declined to use the Koran.

I went to college and lived in the area for quite a while. It's a pretty decent place (and, Stamey's has some really good barbecue).

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

8. Oaths on a box of Spaghetti.

I can't wait.

[baldguy]

11. or..

Elvis Christ!

[bamacrat]

10. Makes sense.

[Barrett808]

13. The Book of the SubGenius! FSM! The Boo-Hoo Bible!

The possibilities are endless!

http://subgenius.com

[IndianaGreen]

26. FSM is a false GAWD

The real GAWD is made of real pasta al dente and marinara sauce, not some mushy noodly appendages.

[Barrett808]

29. My death squads will be right over

To make sure you're doctrinally "correct."

[panzerfaust]

19. Judge might allow, GOD does NOT

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 (Jim 5:12 KJV).

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil (Mat 5:34-37 KJV).

"Above all things swear not" "Above ALL"

That, my friends, is the clearly stated, unequivocal, Holy Word of God.

Unequivocal, excepting of course where contradicted elsewhere in God's Holy Word. Recall that JC himself takes an oath!

No, I am not going to list those passages: RTFB and so learn to Fear God - and to fear those who would force His Holy, Revealed, self-contradictory Word upon us in lieu of the rule of reason.

[struggle4progress]

31. § 11-4. Affirmation in lieu of oath

When a person to be sworn shall have conscientious scruples against taking an oath in the manner prescribed by G.S. 11 2, 11 3, or 11 7, he shall be permitted to be affirmed. In all cases the words of the affirmation shall be the same as the words of the prescribed oath, except that the word "affirm" shall be substituted for the word "swear" and the words "so help me God" shall be deleted.

http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/Statutes/StatutesTOC.pl?Chapter=0011

[panzerfaust]

34. Good for NC!

I do think that both Arkansas (in its Constitution), and Texas (by Statute) prohibit atheists from either holding public office, or testifying as a witness in court.

Both states have had the prohibitions stuck down, I believe, but NEITHER has changed the relevant law: Just plan to wait for better times I think.

Several other states also have similar prohibitions.

And then there is Poppy Bush who says (1988):
"… I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."

God Bless Merika

Jus, shut yo mouth boy, n Swear on damn The Bible: don want no lip 'bout God says not to swear at all. Y'all don wanna end up on Poppy's List do yah?

[struggle4progress]

37. The idea that people may wish to affirm rather than swearing is as old as the country:

here's the US Constitution (Art II Sec 1) on the President

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

[dipsydoodle]

20. Akira Tsumura's

"One Thousand and One Banjos" is the banjo collectors bible so presumably that would do just fine then. :)

[Zhade]

22. ILLEGAL.

NT!

[juno jones]

24. Principia Discordia for me, thanks!!!

:)

[anotherdrew]

28. greyface won't like it, but I'll swear on a golden apple. Remember: King Kong died for your sins!

HAIL ERIS! -><- KALLISTI -><- ALL HAIL DISCORDIA!

[truthisfreedom]

32. Sooo... would Tom Cruise swear on L. Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics?"

Just askin'.

[Posteritatis]

33. I don't see why he shouldn't be allowed to. (nt)