Scrapping Religious Oathes In Court

[Eve]

There are to be talks about changing the oath to be more secular.

I actually agree with this, one simple oath noting the possible consequences of not telling the truth seems to be a sensible way forwards.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2448011/Scrap-Bible-oath-takes-seriously-Magistrates-Association-discuss-changes-act-swearing-tell-truth-court.html?ico=news^headlines

What do you think?

[Old_Geezer]

What is said is a formality anyway, the words are meaningless. What matters is some legal milestone/point which makes it clear you are obliged to be honest/truthful from that point.

[FredPuli43]

Doubt whether many think they will go to Hell if they tell a lie, but everyone, devout or not is, or should be, conscious of being jailed for perjury and of the consequences should a material lie be discovered, so making it a secular statement is perfectly adequate for all.

Apart from the affirmation allowed in court, there has been a solemn, non-religious, declaration used in many legal documents since 1835, with no 'religious' alternative. This statutory declaration has to be signed by the person making it and witnessed by a solicitor. Lying in that declaration that the statement above it is true is punishable as a form of perjury. This declaration is commonly found with conveyances; it may be required, for example, when someone certifies that there is not to their knowledge any claim of a right of way or private right over the land being sold .

[LazyGun]

Seems like a good and entirely non-controversial idea to me. An affirmation which includes the recognition of severe penalties for lying is more relevant than an Oath to a god, in this day and age as far as I am concerned.

[jno]

agree with OG, God's name no longer terrifies people into honesty any more.

[jake-the-peg]

you can already already ask to 'affirm' so I don't see the point - would that be the default option unless you opted for a religious oath? Would you not be able to make a religous oath?

I had to take an oath a couple of weeks ago at a solicitors and she came out bible in hand and I asked to affirm

'Oh yes -er yes 'of course said she and then promptly nearly stuck 'so help me God' on the end

I guess people don't ask to affirm that often!

[LazyGun]

I think affirming should become the default, with maybe a religious alternative available for those who are invested with belief.

[Eve]

So much simpler and all inclusive, I used to get some interesting looks when people called in for swears when I appeared with the firm bible.

[Buenchico]

Many people. like me, already 'affirm' (rather than 'swear an oath') anyway.

When I asked to do so at the Probate Registry, the guy who was conducting the interview said that he was pleased that I'd requested to do so as it indicated that I took the proceedings seriously.

[mibn2cweus]

//I had to take an oath a couple of weeks ago at a solicitors and she came out bible in hand and I asked to affirm

'Oh yes -er yes 'of course said she and then promptly nearly stuck 'so help me God' on the end //

She was probably thinking to herself, "Sure, whatever you say Mr. atheist man, just please . . . don't eat me."

[pixie373]

I think it makes sense. Courts should be for everyone, not just Christians. Perjury is the reason you can't lie, not because of a book.

[ludwig]

Same answer as I just gave on a related thread in news..

They need to reword the oath to reflect the fact that we live in a largely secular society and that religion has no bearing on the judicial process.

A simple promise to tell the truth and acknowledgment that to knowingly mislead the court will result in prosecution for perjury would be sufficient as a standard oath for everybody.

[mibn2cweus]

Always seemed rather ironic to me anyway, being asked to swear to tell the truth whilst holding one hand upon a book that equates truth with perhaps one of the greatest lies ever told . . . no less ironic when that very same book admonishes its followers not to swear at all - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath#Christian_tradition

[Peter Pedant]

some people take oaths seriously

altho nuns in Ireland are reputed to be notorious liars under oath,
the R Cs I know tend to have the propensity to speak the truth whether or not it damages themselves or the case.


having heard someone lie under oath - it is difficult to describe how I felt ( short of breath and wanting to be sick - you know real spaghums)

[askyourgran]

There will be oaths for the different religions and I presume for those who do not believe. One size does not fit all. In any event there should be a swearing in of some sort. The British Courts are held under the jurisdiction of the Queen's justice and imho the oath to tell the truth and nothing but should be adhered to. How does the act of perjury hold up without swearing an oath to your God?