Posts: 3030
Threads: 176
Joined: April 29, 2012
Reputation:
24
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Makes no difference, it's only words, means nothing
The meek shall inherit the Earth, the rest of us will fly to the stars.
Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups
Arguing with an engineer is like wrestling with a pig in mud ..... after a while you realise that the pig likes it!
Posts: 25314
Threads: 239
Joined: August 26, 2010
Reputation:
156
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Great - another earworm...
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.'
Posts: 3030
Threads: 176
Joined: April 29, 2012
Reputation:
24
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 4:23 pm
(August 12, 2017 at 12:59 pm)Cyberman Wrote: Great - another earworm...
Sorry!
The meek shall inherit the Earth, the rest of us will fly to the stars.
Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups
Arguing with an engineer is like wrestling with a pig in mud ..... after a while you realise that the pig likes it!
Posts: 25314
Threads: 239
Joined: August 26, 2010
Reputation:
156
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 5:16 pm
I will survive. 
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.'
Posts: 8034
Threads: 47
Joined: September 12, 2015
Reputation:
41
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 7:40 pm
(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.
Probably could have said it to the clerk that you didn't believe in swearing on the bible. Courts in Ireland or the UK are legally obliged to take affirmations when the person says they cannot swear on a holy book (for whatever reason).
Urbs Antiqua Fuit Studiisque Asperrima Belli
Home
Posts: 25314
Threads: 239
Joined: August 26, 2010
Reputation:
156
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Probably. I wasn't there for them. I was there for Sam.
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.'
Posts: 45
Threads: 3
Joined: March 29, 2017
Reputation:
1
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 8:17 pm
I think you're overthinking, don't pull a feminist argument and try to change some insignificant crap. Just leave it be and go on.
Posts: 21815
Threads: 24
Joined: February 2, 2010
Reputation:
106
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 12, 2017 at 10:57 pm
(This post was last modified: August 12, 2017 at 11:00 pm by Thumpalumpacus.)
(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?
You can substitute "I solemnly affirm". You will still be subject to perjury.
If you signed paperwork without reading it, that's on you, like you said. No court will recognize "I didn't read it" as valid grounds for an objection. Not trying to be rude, but perhaps next time you should read what it is you're signing, and if you have an objection to a phrase, line it out. Addenda will be treated as such -- after-the-fact stuff.
Your rights as an American citizen with no religion are no greater than your rights as an American with religious faith. You're in a court. Your religion doesn't matter. The fidelity of your testimony matters.
Pick your fight elsewhere.
(August 12, 2017 at 7:40 pm)Tazzycorn Wrote: (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.
Probably could have said it to the clerk that you didn't believe in swearing on the bible. Courts in Ireland or the UK are legally obliged to take affirmations when the person says they cannot swear on a holy book (for whatever reason).
This is the case in America as well. When I enlisted in the US Air Force as an atheist, I said "solemnly affirm", rather than "swear".
No one cared. I had already put my ass on the line, and that's all they wanted.
Posts: 18504
Threads: 79
Joined: May 29, 2010
Reputation:
125
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 3:19 am
(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?
In Portugal we don't make oaths in court. Usually is that stern guy or girl in a black dress asking you things.
I did had to do an oath before the Lisbon governor. I swore by my honor to fulfill my job requirementa yadda yadda. As if an oath could prevent people of mischief.
I don't need an oath. I do what is right and fair.
Posts: 11736
Threads: 125
Joined: January 11, 2010
Reputation:
45
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 9:13 am
This may seem a stupid question, but is it permitted to strike out the words "so help me God?"
Comparing the Universal Oneness of All Life to Yo Mama since 2010.
![[Image: harmlesskitchen.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/yxR97P23/harmlesskitchen.png)
I was born with the gift of laughter and a sense the world is mad.
|
