Posted on 05/24/2007 1:39:09 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
N.C. judge OKs witness oaths using Quran
By STEVE HARTSOE, Associated Press Writer 35 minutes ago
Witnesses and jurors being sworn in at state courthouses can take their oath using any religious text, not just the Bible, a judge ruled Thursday.
Judge Paul Ridgeway said both common law and state Supreme Court precedent allow witnesses and jurors to use the text "most sacred and obligatory upon their conscience."
The ruling came after the American Civil Liberties Union argued that limiting that text to the Bible alone was unconstitutional because it favored Christianity over other religions.
The issue surfaced when Muslims tried to donate copies of the Quran to Guilford County's two courthouses. Two judges declined to accept the texts, saying that taking an oath on the Quran was illegal under state law.
State law currently allows witnesses preparing to testify in court to take their oath in three ways: by laying a hand over "the Holy Scriptures," by saying "so help me God" without the use of a religious book, or by an affirmation using no religious symbols.
The group sought a court order clarifying that the law was broad enough to allow the use of multiple religious texts, or else declare the statute unconstitutional.
Though the judge stopped short of that, the ACLU still considered the ruling "a great victory."
"As of today all people can use the holy text of their choice," said Seth Cohen, an ACLU attorney who argued the case.
A trial court judge initially dismissed the ACLU's suit in December 2005, ruling it was moot because there was no actual controversy at the time.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
If I don’t believe in God do I have to even promise to tell the truth?
The Koran says it is okay to lie to the kufir. Does taking an oath on this text permit such action in the courtroom?
If you don't tell the truth you are committing perjury. The law is the same no matter what your religious beliefs or lack thereof.
There is a gaia worshiping hotel (Gaia is in the name of the hotel) in California that has placed a copy of A (In)Convenient Lie/(Truth) in every hotel room.
keeping in mind the quran says it’s OK to lie to infidels..
Can Goths swear by the sign of the two toed Sloth?
Why swear on a text at all? It is meaningless since some are going to lie and some peoples’ religion permits them to lie.
“By the Hammer of Thor!”
This is one of the best comments on this subject I've seen so far.
For Christians, here's what the Lord Jesus says about oaths in Matthew 5:35-37 and following:
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
Looks like Christians shouldn't swear on a Bible, doesn't it?
I want to swear on “The Lord of the Ring.”
Or maybe “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
(Although the Bible works fine for me.)
A fact I'd think any good trial lawyer would make known to a jury before they begin deliberations.
The smiling idiot on the bench here has the common sense of a turnip.
Nam Vet
Guilford County. Surprise surprise.
“By the power of Gray Skull!”
“I swear I won’t kill you”.
“Hi, I’m new the neighborhood and I swear I won’t commit adultery with your wife.”
“Hi, I’m new the neighborhood and I swear I won’t covet your property.”
Good point. I was going to ask that if I swore on a text that I didnt believe in (let's say the Quran) is it the equivalent of crossing my fingers?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.