Islamic Group Calls for Use of Koran to Take Oath

CSN News ^ | June 21, 2005 | Melanie Hunter

[BMC1]

An Islamic civil rights and advocacy group is calling on North Carolina judges to allow people to use the Koran when taking an oath, saying the use of the Bible exclusively represents "an inappropriate state endorsement of religion."

The request by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) comes after Guilford County judges said they would not allow use of Korans in their courtrooms.

"An oath of the Quran is not a lawful oath under our law," said W. Douglas Albright, Guilford's senior resident Superior Court judge. According to state law, swearing an oath constitutes putting one's hand on the "Holy Scriptures."

Those who do not wish to take an oath using the Bible may make an "affirmation."

"By stating that only one book qualifies as 'Holy Scriptures,' the court may be making an inappropriate endorsement of a single set of religious beliefs," said CAIR Legal Director Arsalan Iftikhar.

"Eliminating the opportunity to swear an oath on one's own holy text may also have the effect of diminishing the credibility of that person's testimony," Iftikhar added.

North Carolina's Administrative Office of the Courts last week issued a preliminary opinion saying that state law allows people to be sworn in using a Koran rather than a Bible, CAIR noted.

According to Iftikhar, CAIR will offer a free copy of the Koran to any judge in North Carolina or nationwide for use in oaths or "for personal awareness of the holy text."

[meema]

...explicit permission to lie to non-believers so any oath taken on it would be pointless.

Exactly! Keep that thing out of our courtrooms.

[M Kehoe]

An Islamic civil rights and advocacy group is calling on North Carolina judges to allow people to use the Koran when taking an oath, saying the use of the Bible exclusively represents "an inappropriate state endorsement of religion."

What Sura (?) says that, "take their oaths," and "break them after the hudnah is signed."

I really enjoy the Quran. Gives a clear picture of what Islam is really about.

Hey jihadis, we are coming to get some. Hopefully the U.S. military can separate the chaff from the wheat. If not, well, life's a beeotch.

5.56mm

[Roccus]

none = no difference

[KStorm]

CAIR won't be satisfied until Sharia is the law of the land and we're all either Islamists or dead. IMO.
:
I will choose death. I will not live under Sharia.

[andyk]

No, we will end up swearing on nothing.

I started thinking the same thing. At first I thought it seemed like a good solution, but then I realized that it's synonymous with every other removal of the mention of God in our society. IMHO, it would be an affront to our heritage. If they push it, however, it'll probably happen, considering our court system's love for broadening the establishment clause.

[Budge]

And so it begins.

Think about it.

[rockthecasbah]

Ditto.

[NRA2BFree]

I kind of agree. If you can use the Bible, you should be allowed to use whatever holy book you desire.

Are you out of your mind? I hope you wore flame retardant undies today! LOL! You know how much we all HATE Islam, don't you?

[null and void]

I will choose death. I will not live under Sharia.

I will choose to inflict death. I will not live under Sharia.

[savedbygrace]

CAIR won't be satisfied until Sharia is the law of the land and we're all either Islamists or dead. IMO.

I choose dead.

[Ignatius J Reilly]

OK, so I guess I just have to say this is my friend a Marine who is no longer in active service. Seems a little cumbersome as compared to ex-marine but OK I can really apprecaite the dedication to the brotherhood of Marines and have been admonished before by my friend about the ex-marine thing.

[andyk]

in Georgia witnesses don't swear on a Bible at all.

I didn't know that; thanks for the info.

[SittinYonder]

Lawyer swears in witnesses: do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God

There is the phrase at the end ... I don't want to be misleading.

[null and void]

What the heck do you call Marines who are no longer in the service?

My father (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) calls himself a retired Marine.

[Gunrunner2]

In my experience, the term you are looking for is "Former Marine."

[Hacksaw]

"An oath of the Quran is not a lawful oath under our law," said W. Douglas Albright, Guilford's senior resident Superior Court judge. According to state law, swearing an oath constitutes putting one's hand on the "Holy Scriptures."

Have we finally found a judge you disagree with?

[null and void]

What book should Satanists use?

The Koran...

[KStorm]

Good reply. It's either them or us; I replied as I did because I am currently an "unarmed" citizen.

[Budge]

I don't think allowing them to swear on their particular holy book is going to make the whole world islamic.

Maybe not right away.

Do you remember back in the sixties? A group of people asked politely if restaurants would set aside a few tables where they, the non-smokers could sit. We fell for it, and look what has happened to the smoker, who has the same freedoms you do, or had!

[null and void]

No. You are never unarmed. You may not have a gun, but there are thousands of ways to visit death on those who would destroy you, your loved ones, or our beloved country.