When called for jury duty, should I tell the court I don't recognize the bible when asked to swear on it?

Question

When called for jury duty, should I tell the court I don't recognize the bible when asked to swear on it?

Answer 1

If that is how you feel, I think that you should politely say so.  You don't want to make yourself a hypocrite because you were embarrassed to stand out.  

Personally, I do recognize the Bible but do not believe in swearing on it.  So I may be in similar shoes to you someday.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Why don't you just tell the truth, swear on the bible and keep it to yourself?  It's not like if you did recognize the bible it would have any bearing on your testimony, would it?

Answer 3

If they ask you to swear on a Bible you can say "I promise to be truthful" or tell them outright you don't see that book as different from any other novel or book of mythology and thus they will have to trust your integrity that you will be honest (I seriously doubt ANYONE refrains from lying simply because their hand was on a bible, even those who believe the stories in that book). If someone is going to lie, they are going to lie...

Answer 4

Jurers don't swear in on the bible.

Answer 5

You won't be the 1st person who doesn't want to swear "so help me God", you will simply be allowed to make an affirmation to tell the truth.

Answer 6

don't listen to the christian-play-by-our-rules and be quiet about your non-belief posters here.   If you have serious objections to the Bible and faiths like Christianity and Judaism influencing a court procedure, than state them.  You don't have to be a grandstander and loud about it, but that doesn't mean you have to be timid either. Be civil yet assertive.  Just state that you don't want to use or touch a religious book if you have to swear an oath.  No one is obligated or forced to believe in or swear to the Bible or any faith in the United States even though the religious whackos here would love constitutional amendments stating otherwise.

Answer 7

What do you mean you dont recognize it...People like you are the reason America is in the shape it is in today...

Answer 8

I didn't know that was done anymore.. but sure you can refuse..and they will ask you to tell the truth instead

Answer 9

When on jury duty, you are not asked to "swear in" so it doesn't matter whether you recognize the Bible or not but you might not have any friends on the jury.

Answer 10

Jurors are not asked to swear on a bible.

Answer 11

Not unless your an atheis