would i be forced to swear on the bible that i would tell the truth in court even if i don't believe in god?
478681
No, they can't force you to however, it may impair your credibility so you can instead make an affirmation. \n\nI do not "believe in god" either, I also will not swear an oath to any state or government either. Many legal documents require a notary seal, I refuse their oath so, instead i make only a documented affirmation, it works and is completely legal.(saves on notary fees to boot)
529698
If you're not christian, you can ask to use a non-christian oath; if you're not religious, you can "affirm" rather than swear; and you won't need to use the bible in either case.\n\nLying under oath is a crime, called perjury.  If convicted, punishment will vary but often involves some prison time.\n\nYour final question is poorly worded. If you mean "If you swear falsely on the bible but you don't actually believe the bible, is that still a criminal offense?" then the answer is yes.  It's the false testimony that's at issue; the prosecutor and judge don't care about your personal belief.
729420
Not believing in God is not a crime unless you are born to a certain religious belief.\n\nIts a matter of choice.  Just try to understand the consequence of the absence of faith.
435946
Christ would say if you are violating tbe law and you do it out of rebellion you are sinning.  The old testament calls rebellion as witchraft.  \n\nIt would be different if there wasn't a way for people to come here legally, or if their lives were in danger in the countries that they are from
566349
The phrase, "so help you God," has been removed from most US courts a long time ago.  Also, you don't have to "swear" either, you can "affirm."\n\nLawrence\nhttp://www.truebiblesermons.com
452479
There would be plenty of evidence to convict me. I would be in jail. People would be coming from everywhere and telling the judge how much I Love my Lord and serve Him. Even if it means going to jail, I will keep serving Him. A good web-site to learn more is all about God.com. God Bless You.
61842
The following is what is said before a person gives testimony:\n\nDo you swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God or under the pains and penalties of perjury?\n\nIt allows for those who do not want to swear (they can affirm), and ensures that the person swearing or affirming is aware of the penalties for lying.
387552
I won't believe in anything, because belief is just con artistry. A REAL relationship with divinity doesn't require beleif. But it does require sincerely looking and depth searching and getting things ethically resolved inside of your mind and learning to pay attention to whats behind the inner veil and past the inner dialogue.\n\nTruth isn't found in BS created to control peoples minds instead of liberate them, and the Churches version of reality is only just a mental trap to keep you paying for\nsomeobdy to talk to god for you, instead of you doing the work yourself.
496849
Why would you want to force yourself to be a nonbeliever?Is there something that you feel Guilty about in your Life that you feel you need to find a way of not being accoiuntable to God for?The Thing is you cannot Hide From God!!!wether you believe in God or not you will still be answerable to him!
800654
Only if you're religious.  Otherwise, no.  Lie away.
582830
Actually, some jurisdictions understand this very conumdrum and do not require that you swear on the bible. They will hold up another book, a book of the law and justice, to sit in its place.\n\nBy saying "so help me God," the State or federal court is not saying you must believe in God. The Establishment Clause of the Constitution acts as a wall between church and State. It states that the government shall not cater to one religion only with funds or assistance. It keeps the government from becoming entangled with any religion. Therefore, by saying "so help me God," this is simply a time-honored statement made in antiquity by the courts. Many people are unsure of why "oyez oyez" (actually means "hear ye hear ye!") must be shouted out when a court comes to session. Simply, you shouldn't look too much into it. The government knows its distance with religion.
1001068
I'm not an atheist... but I'll take the hypothetical anyway and pretend that I'm being asked to convert to a particular religion, being as I am not religious at all. The question is, after all, would I convert and practice a belief system different from my own to save my daughter.\n\nWell, of course I would, generally speaking... but would it matter? As you say... if there's a God, He would know that I didn't really begin to believe anything different, and I'd probably make him that much more angry with me. I'd do an awful lot for a child of mine.\n\nI've decided to pose the question that gwad suggested, as I'd like to know what other religious people think. :)
169347
Amen! If you think the Bible is false, you would be calling Him a liar. If you think it's written just by men, you are calling God a liar. How could you believe in a God that would lie? You wouldn't. So no, you cannot believe God and not the Bible. Without the Bible how would you know God? God Bless!
802570
No offense taken hon.  You aren't asking in an offensive way :)\n\nIf I am wrong about being an atheist, and I stand before god, I will hold my head up.  I'll say "I looked for you harder than anybody I know.  I read the bible in its original languages.  I prayed for hours and hours.  If you know all, you know how sincerely I looked.  If you can chuck me into hell, knowing that, then I go with a clear conscience.  Because I wouldn't want to share eternity with a being who could torment ANYone for eternity.  Let alone someone who looked for him so hard."\n\nI would rather go to hell with a clear conscience and a pure heart than go to heaven because I chose out of fear.
255270
Not in the US.  You don't have to swear it on the bible, but you do have to take an oath.  I believe you would be held in contempt of court if you refused, as it amounts to refusing to serve on a jury when summoned for jury duty.
226177
There is an alternative oath in which the witness affirms, not swears, that his or her testimony will be truthful.  Obviously the 'so help me God' terminology is left off.
458261
No. All non-Christians have the right to request and use a non-Christian or non-religious oath, or in some courts they will be required to "affirm" that their testimony is the truth.  Even Christians may do that -- some Quakers, for instance, believe that asking god to back up your testimony is a form of cheating (and if you think about it, they have a point), so they use the affirmation oath instead.