Swearing on the bible?

[ignoramus]

I swear on thy cavity your honour!

[robvalue]

I had a dream about legal proceedings last night. In this world it was a crime to look at something a certain way, I can't remember the details. But it was very minor, and they basically let you off with a warning each time. Weird.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

I had a dream about legal proceedings last night. In this world it was a crime to look at something a certain way, I can't remember the details. But it was very minor, and they basically let you off with a warning each time. Weird.

Isn't it interesting that you placed yourself in a subservient position where other people get to decide your fate?

[robvalue]

Yeah. This was relatively minor compared to what my dreams normally do to me. My brain seems to think it's a good idea to torture me while asleep sometimes.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Yeah. This was relatively minor compared to what my dreams normally do to me. My brain seems to think it's a good idea to torture me while asleep sometimes.

Thoughts are just thoughts.

[Joods]

I have always responded with "I affirm". Always. We also don't swear on a bible in the courts in my county. The courtroom reporter makes her speech much like the one a few comments above and that's that.

[TheoneandonlytrueGod]

Guys, after reading various posts, it dawned on me that we as a secular society still have our legal system anchored on a huge fucking archilles heel.
Namely the act of having to swear on the bible. How does it work if you are there to testify but proclaim that you are not religious?
What do Muzzies do?

Courts YUCCH. And what the hell are Muzzies? I'm afraid to ask.

Does our legal system think that putting your hand on an old book and muttering a few words will magically force you to tell the absolute divine truth!

In the US most courts have removed the "...on the Bible..." part but still insist you put your hand on the Bible and I agree with you.

This bullshit needs to change. It doesn't deserve to be held in such high regard. Especially in Australia and the UK.

True here in the US as well.
Yeah, putting my hand on a Babble would mean nothing to me even if it did the court and all it's participants.
Besides I try not to swear in court. My fear is the judge will smite me dead with a bolt of  lightening or something if I do.

[robvalue]

I swear on a book where the "hero" lies almost immediately that I shall not lie.

[Bob Kelso]

How has this not been posted yet? 

[Mr Greene]

Certainly the Affirmation option is there, though in the British Parliament, when ministers are making speeches they do so on the dispatch boxes which contain bibles. Something else which will have to change come disestablishment...