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Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 11, 2017 at 2:51 pm
I have a question for any of my fellow heathens who are lawyers or have had experience with the court system, especially here in Georgia.
Affirmations. Today I had a meeting with my attorney, who because of health reasons, is retiring and recommending my case to another lawyer. I previously instructed his secretary that I want to affirm. It was my understanding that she understood that, and she said that she would let him know.
This morning I signed an affidavit, without reading it (that is on me--yet he did explain to me what its purpose is and what it was about) releasing himself from my employ. The only problem I have is this one line: "I swear the above statement is true, so help me God."
I feel ignored and betrayed. What can I do about it? I thought about writing an addendum asserting my rights as an American citizen with no religion. Would that do any good?
Does anyone have any advice?
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."--Thomas Jefferson
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 11, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Don't piss off your own legal team.
The granting of a pardon is an imputation of guilt, and the acceptance a confession of it.
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 11, 2017 at 3:11 pm
(This post was last modified: August 11, 2017 at 3:13 pm by Brian37.)
(August 11, 2017 at 2:51 pm)Secular Elf Wrote: I have a question for any of my fellow heathens who are lawyers or have had experience with the court system, especially here in Georgia.
Affirmations. Today I had a meeting with my attorney, who because of health reasons, is retiring and recommending my case to another lawyer. I previously instructed his secretary that I want to affirm. It was my understanding that she understood that, and she said that she would let him know.
This morning I signed an affidavit, without reading it (that is on me--yet he did explain to me what its purpose is and what it was about) releasing himself from my employ. The only problem I have is this one line: "I swear the above statement is true, so help me God."
I feel ignored and betrayed. What can I do about it? I thought about writing an addendum asserting my rights as an American citizen with no religion. Would that do any good?
Does anyone have any advice?
It might be a mere oversight if the person is packed with cases. But try to explain to them not to do that again. If they do, then you can contact.. I would not announce the contact, just do it, take names and give dates and details when and if you consult any of the places listed below. Someone should be able to point you to a lawyer who can advise you.
American Atheists
Freedom From Religion Foundation
ACLU
Americans United For Separation Of Church And State.
(August 11, 2017 at 2:56 pm)vorlon13 Wrote: Don't piss off your own legal team.
Yea there is a risk in that too. But at a minimum even if you say nothing to your lawyers it would be still good to talk to those orgs just so you know you are not alone, you can ask them to keep what you send them confidential.
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 11, 2017 at 5:23 pm
(This post was last modified: August 11, 2017 at 5:24 pm by Succubus.)
Some issues are worth fighting over, others, not so much. Besides, being lawyer$ they will likely charge you for the addendum.
It's amazing 'science' always seems to 'find' whatever it is funded for, and never the oppsite. Drich.
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 11, 2017 at 5:44 pm
I would not die upon that hill, personally.
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 11, 2017 at 11:56 pm
I hope my lawyer doesn't try to pull any of that shit with me. We're taking a guy who rammed my bike off the road with his van to court in October.
Religions were invented to impress and dupe illiterate, superstitious stone-age peasants. So in this modern, enlightened age of information, what's your excuse? Or are you saying with all your advantages, you were still tricked as easily as those early humans?
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There is no better way to convey the least amount of information in the greatest amount of words than to try explaining your religious views.
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 8:04 am
The only experience I ever had with a court was the coroner's hearing for my Princess. I had to swear on a bible to tell the truth etc. Didn't bother me in the slightest; it's their house, their rules. It's merely tradition. To be honest, I was far more preoccupied with the whole situation as it was than with some pettyfogging theatre.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 8:15 am
(August 12, 2017 at 8:04 am)Cyberman Wrote: The only experience I ever had with a court was the coroner's hearing for my Princess. I had to swear on a bible to tell the truth etc. Didn't bother me in the slightest; it's their house, their rules. It's merely tradition. To be honest, I was far more preoccupied with the whole situation as it was than with some pettyfogging theatre.
No our country is our country, not just theirs. The oath of office sets the tone for all legal oaths, and since it is not required to swear to a god, sure you may not care, and that is fine. But i do not think it is good for everyone all the time to simply go with the flow. A citizen is a citizen regardless and I don't think our Christian majority has any right to assume, even in a court room.
But for you in that context I think it was reasonable considering what the issue was.
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 9:01 am
(This post was last modified: August 12, 2017 at 9:01 am by Cyberman.)
Possibly. I'm making no judgement, especially not based on my one and only experience. All I'm saying on that score is that it had no effect on my capacity for honesty, nor did I feel it made unwarranted assumptions about me as an individual. I accept that there are cultural differences.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 9:42 am
Not trying to a jerk here but why do you care? God is someone else's creation, not mine. And while I don't personally believe in it and never have, I pledged allegiance every morning in school growing up and I still turned out ok. Personally if I needed something from our legal system I'd swear to peanut butter or Donny Osmond or butt sex if it made them happy and got me what I wanted.
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