Posts: 25314
Threads: 239
Joined: August 26, 2010
Reputation:
155
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 10:16 am
Maybe a strategic full stop?
"So help me. God"
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: 3309
Threads: 179
Joined: April 29, 2012
Reputation:
24
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 12:14 pm
So, help my cod?
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: 312
Threads: 3
Joined: July 7, 2017
Reputation:
2
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 12:35 pm
(August 11, 2017 at 2:51 pm)Secular Elf Wrote: 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?
No big deal..
That word "God" doesn't say which god, so it could equally mean any god (Hindu, Muslim, Japanese, Jewish, Christian, Red Indian, Aborigine, Jungle Tribes. Pagan, Mother Earth etc), so in a sense the line simply means something like- "I swear by what I believe in" .
Even if you're an atheist it's still no big deal because it could mean "I swear by this great universe all around us"..
Posts: 25314
Threads: 239
Joined: August 26, 2010
Reputation:
155
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 12:47 pm
The capital G does sort of give it away, though. It's sort of a clue.
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: 28534
Threads: 525
Joined: June 16, 2015
Reputation:
89
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 1:04 pm
(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?
Just draw a line thru "god" and initial it.
Being told you're delusional does not necessarily mean you're mental.
Posts: 371
Threads: 0
Joined: December 7, 2014
Reputation:
6
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 1:11 pm
(August 13, 2017 at 1:04 pm)mh.brewer Wrote: Just draw a line thru "god" and initial it.
I really like this idea. I would probably do this.
Posts: 312
Threads: 3
Joined: July 7, 2017
Reputation:
2
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 1:14 pm
(August 11, 2017 at 2:51 pm)Secular Elf Wrote: ..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?
Are you involved in some kind of legal case and are facing charges?
If so it might look bad to the jury if you don't want to "swear by God" that you're telling the truth, the whole truth...
Posts: 23305
Threads: 26
Joined: February 2, 2010
Reputation:
105
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 5:54 pm
(August 13, 2017 at 9:13 am)Rev. Rye Wrote: This may seem a stupid question, but is it permitted to strike out the words "so help me God?"
In America it is.
Posts: 437
Threads: 58
Joined: May 23, 2015
Reputation:
13
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 6:01 pm
(This post was last modified: August 13, 2017 at 6:21 pm by Secular Elf.)
(August 11, 2017 at 3:11 pm)Brian37 Wrote: (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.
I have given some thought to that. At this point I merely want to change it, if I can. I am going to give them a call and gently remind them that I want to affirm and have them make the change and I can sign an updated document. They had me do that before with paper work that either had some mistake or the first set of documents got lost in the system. I am not really thinking of starting any trouble as it stands now. My case will be transitioning to a new team at another law firm. The attorney I have now, like I said, is retiring for health reasons. He is a one man show with one secretary, his offices are small, and he just does not wear his Christianity on his sleeve, hell it is all over his freaking office lobby: crosses, religious tracts, there is even a bible verse under the light switch in the freaking bathroom. *rolling eyes*
Any way, I will make it perfectly clear to my new lawyer that I want to affirm. One of the reasons for my issue, besides asserting my rights, is to be consistent.
(August 11, 2017 at 5:23 pm)Succubus Wrote: Some issues are worth fighting over, others, not so much. Besides, being lawyer$ they will likely charge you for the addendum.
Yeah, but I only will be charged if I win my case.
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."--Thomas Jefferson
Posts: 12285
Threads: 125
Joined: January 11, 2010
Reputation:
45
RE: Legal Inquiry: Atheists and Affirmations (Not Oaths)
August 13, 2017 at 6:04 pm
(August 13, 2017 at 5:54 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: (August 13, 2017 at 9:13 am)Rev. Rye Wrote: This may seem a stupid question, but is it permitted to strike out the words "so help me God?"
In America it is.
Shit, if it is legal, that's what I'd do, but I'd personally give the lawyers the heads-up about it.
Comparing the Universal Oneness of All Life to Yo Mama since 2010.
I was born with the gift of laughter and a sense the world is mad.
|