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Permalink Reply by Nelson on November 29, 2011 at 8:37pm

Except for a few backwoods townships in the Bible Belt perhaps, that's a long dead thing perpetuated only by movies and tv. For a while now there has been absolutely no requirement whatsoever to swear on any holy book. Even the notion that you can ask for a Qur'an is a misunderstanding since that assumes that you're asking for a substitute for the Bible when the Bible isn't even required. All you have to do is raise your hand and swear to tell the truth. And for those people that have a problem with swearing an oath you're even allowed to "affirm" your intention to tell the truth. Holy books have nothing to do with it.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Reardon on November 29, 2011 at 10:46pm

What Nelson said!

 

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Permalink Reply by Nelson on November 30, 2011 at 12:06am

State law doesn't require it and there's circumstantial evidence (all I could find) that indicates that it's not required in Charlotte either.

This link says that a source at the Charlotte Superior Court system says that those uncomfortable with the normal process may simply affirm.

And this link for a legal group practicing in Charlotte, in telling people what to expect from the process, says that the judge will ask the clerk of the court to have you either swear or affirm to tell the truth.

It certainly seems to be their standard practice to have you swear on the Bible, but it doesn't appear to be a requirement of testifying in court.

I'd be interested to call the court and ask. That's a big city doing something done hardly anywhere else, and probably almost nowhere else if we limit the cities to those of similar size, if they do that. I may do that tomorrow...

 

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Permalink Reply by Matthew on November 30, 2011 at 5:35pm

Oh, thanks for clearing that up haha.

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Permalink Reply by Unseen on December 4, 2011 at 11:34am

I'd put my hand on The Bible and say "Fuck yeah! I'll tell the truth." Now that is REALLY swearing on a Bible.

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Permalink Reply by basement kitteh on December 5, 2011 at 8:24pm

If they use a bible, just add the classic "Federal endorsement of a deity or a religion violates the United States constitution" before you swear.

Why do they use the bible by the way? See above.

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Permalink Reply by Judith van der Roos on December 7, 2011 at 12:01am

I think courts should use the "Pinky Swear". It seems to be legally binding as far as our kids are concerned and frankly I reckon it is every bit as reliable as some musty old book.

Judith vd R

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