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I've been a member of the jury for several trials in Seattle and nothing like that happened. It's a little different if you're called to testify as a witness in front of the court but the wording has changed in most places and there's no religious implications whatsoever.
If they do then swear to the bible, not on the bible
Or swear at the bible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShepsMom
I find it somewhat humorous to think that court would just "assume" that everyone is religious. How many atheist swore on the bible, and how many of them told the truth?
One way to get out of jury duty would be to argue with them if they asked you to swear to a god thing.
Worse comes to worse, just mouth the words and say nothing!
Maybe you're just being funny, but I personally couldn't do that because to me it would be the same as lying. Even though I'm a dirty rotten barbaric heathenistic amoral atheist (LOL) I have issues with lying. I'd have to ask for a version of an oath that didn't contain any reference to a deity.
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Yeah, it's just a personal "take" on the whole issue. In the jury situation they swear in the whole room full of prospective jurors at once, not one by one, so (even though in this county they don't mention god) one could just stand there...no one would notice. I guess I just don't take the whole thing that seriously...and I have been gently criticized for that...I mean the allegiance to god. If I am with people who pray before a meal I will bow my head with them to be polite. I don't see the problem but I guess some atheists do. The n again, I am not an atheist...I am somehting between agnostic and diest. If I am in a room of people that requires being sworn in for something I just go along with the flow because I do not believe God is watching or caring...and I don't consider it lying if I go through the motions. Would I actually say the words or pray the prayer? No...probably not...but if it really upset someone I cared about I would. I would feel more guilt for hurting someone than for lying in the form of a prayer. But...that's just me.
It seems to be that, for an atheist or agnostic, saying "so help me god" is a meaningless thing to say, not a lie. It would carry no more weight that saying "bless you" after somebody sneezes.
I received my first ever summons for jury duty. I don't mean to sound ignorant and/ or stupid, but I only know the very basics of what to expect. I'm pretty sure I have to swear on the bible when questioned by the attorneys, if it comes to that. Any advice on how to deal with this? Do I tell the truth about being an atheist, and if so, would I be dimissed? (Not that I want to be dismissed. I very much would like to fulfill my obligation to be a juror...)
I'd appreciate anyone's advice!
Ask to swear on Origin of Species.
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).
I'm pretty sure I have to swear on the bible when questioned by the attorneys, if it comes to that. Any advice on how to deal with this? Do I tell the truth about being an atheist, and if so, would I be dimissed? (Not that I want to be dismissed. I very much would like to fulfill my obligation to be a juror...) 
