how do you know? aren't you afraid that if you're wrong you might go to hell?

__________________
"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good." --Thomas Paine

If what you are saying is correct, then I find it very interesting that the Bible that is used to have witnesses "swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help them God", is the same Bible that is banned by law from the deliberation room of the jury.

Or don't witnesses swear to tell the truth in court anymore?

Witnesses aren't always sworn in on a bible; "raise your right hand" is good enough in some courts. And no need for the "so help me God part" either. I think it depends on your state (or county?).

edit: Also, I belive placing your hand on the bible is always optional when being sworn in. A bible has no meaning to an athiest, for example, so there would hardly be any point in having him/her "swearing to tell the truth" over one.

I dont know but linguistics experts tell us its so.

I'm not worried as I dont go around murdering people.

__________________
Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

how could the linguistics experts possibly know what god meant when he gave moses the 10 commandments (or 15, if you know your history of the world, part I)?

__________________
"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good." --Thomas Paine

Thanks for the info, CYDdharta. Yes, it appears the source I was using was omitting rather pertinent information.

__________________
“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.” - Carl Sagan

Remember to submit your nominations for the U.S. Politics Online Alternative Awards!

because words have meaning.

these 15... crash... 10 commandments

__________________
Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

I believe you, but my point remains. If a Bible can be (and often is, I believe) used to swear in witnesses in a court, I find it interesting that the very same Bible is forbidden by law from being in the deliberation room of the jury. It seems inconsistent.

Because they're serving two different purposes in these two different situations. Being sworn in on a Bible isn't going to influence jury deliberation.

__________________
“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.” - Carl Sagan

Remember to submit your nominations for the U.S. Politics Online Alternative Awards!

right. and the meaning of a word never changes over time. and the original documents which make up the bible have undergone zero changes over time as well. i think we can definitely say with 100% certainty that killing is just fine and dandy in the eyes of jehovah as long as it involves the killing of someone who has been deemed "guilty" by other humans.

__________________
"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good." --Thomas Paine

Well, that was a bit of a WTF moment.

This case should be ruled a mistrial if only because of this guy. He was called in to decide civil law only. If he couldn't do that, then perhaps he should have recused himself.

Also, isn't there a passage in the bible that has to do with respecting the laws of men? If so, then isn't it incumbent upon such a christian man to abide by separation of church and state?

__________________

He's come to save the day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVFdAJRVm94

yes, words stay the same and the original documents have not changed and its those original documents that reference murder.

what some fail to understand is that people become ignorant of the definition of words and use them incorrectly. this is rampant in English. sometimes its bacause of the melting pot where a community in trying to absorb a new language 'get it wrong' and it gets off course. other times its just poor education, laziness or even willfull ignorance.

__________________
Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

I had the exact same thought..

__________________
“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.” - Carl Sagan

Remember to submit your nominations for the U.S. Politics Online Alternative Awards!

Yes, but can't you see the inconsistency in using the Bible, and all that it embodies, to bind witnesses to their oath of bearing only truthful witness, while at the same time, prohibiting that very same Bible from being used by the jurors as they deliberate? If it is useful to affirm the oaths of witnesses, how then can it be useless to aid the deliberations of the jurors?

I don't see any inconsistency, no. Using the Bible as confirmation that you're telling the truth is much different than using the Bible in place of court evidence to reach a verdict. There are plenty of other things in the court room that are not appropriate in the deliberation room.

__________________
“If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe.” - Carl Sagan

Remember to submit your nominations for the U.S. Politics Online Alternative Awards!