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Should atheists have to do jury duty? Will I be able to do my civic duty without placing my hand on the bible? I'm being threatened with arrest if I don't show. Will I also be arrested if I refuse to put my hand on the bible and acknowledge a deity?

IAJO163 8 June 2
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62 comments (51 - 62)

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2

I'm not all that clued up on the American system but isn't there an alternative to the bible? At the very least you'll have to show up and argue your point. Good luck

2

Don't have to put our hand on any book here in Canada, but you do have to show up.

2

By law you do not have to swear on a Christian bible. But of course, the issue may come down to the proclivity and perniciousness of the presiding judge. We know not all judges are unbiased and neutral.

2

👍

bobwjr Level 10 June 2, 2019
1

Actually that hand on the bible bullshit is TV from the McCarthy era.... If they tried to do that it would be a violation of your civil rights and a violation of the constitution....

1

Should atheists be allowed to shirk their civic duty as members of a reasonably free and democratic society? I think you will have to test this for yourself. 😉

1

Here in the UK, you can chose to 'affirm', if you wouldn't feel sincere swearing on a holy book.

This is from Wikipedia:

"I solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully try the defendant and give a true verdict according to the evidence."

I did jury service a few years back. It was over a week of compulsory attendance coffee mornings, and then just as our term was just due to expire, we got a case that dragged it out for another week.

It's certainly an interesting experience, but can be massively inconvenient.

1

If you don’t believe in deity the book is just a book. You aren’t acknowledging deity. Jury duty is a interesting experience, go for it .

Showed up 4 times before but never got a case. All in 10 years. I'm asking are we that crime ridden? I'm not in a small town. lol.

@IAJO163 It your number coming up lol

1

Of course. You are a citizen. It’s your duty. No, you should not be arrested for refusing to swear on the Bible.

1

Arrest is a very real possibility for not showing up. Depends on the presiding judge. One judge I was on jury duty for issued ten bench warrants for failure to appear for prospective jurors.

1

a bible isn't involced as far as i know. but even if it were, it's part of the game. swear on the bible and get on with it. it's no biggie

0

If there is no victim, NULLIFY!

SCal Level 7 June 3, 2019
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