In films and on TV you always see witnesses in court being made to swear with a hand on the Holy Bible.
I am wondering, do they do this also with Hindus, Muslims, Scientologists, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, etc?
And if they do, how well do they expect it to work to make a person swear on a book he/she has no relationship with?
5 comments:
I have seen shows where they swear by other books, not just "The Bible". Not just sit-coms where they were making a statement, but also serious drama.
I always wondered whether they'd let me swear on "Dog's Hamlet" or perhaps "The Complete Works of Gerard Manley Hopkins." I'd certainly prefer it over a King James version of the Bible ...
There is a modified version of the "ceremonial" which doesn't call upon religious belief, nor the use of a bible...
Its quite common in Bollywood movies I have watched where people swear using the Bhagavat Gita ( a holy Hindu book).
Anurag
In Australia (and other Common Law Countries -- the UK, the US, etc) witnesses in court are asked to swear or affirm that the testimony that they will give is the truth. Swearing is the bit that pertains to the Bible or other Holy Book. Those whose religion prohibits swearing (such as the Quakers or Friends, as they prefer to be called) or individuals who do not believe in a legally recognized deity are required to affirm that their testimony with be the truth. Thus, the individual makes the choice to swear or affirm...
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