Ala. Judge Wears Ten Commandments on Robe

[Isabelle Fawkes]

Are we talking about a court of law where you still have to swear in with your hand on a Bible?

I always thought that was a bit much if you truely wanted to keep religion out of the courtroom.

[Eric McTavish]

Are we talking about a court of law where you still have to swear in with your hand on a Bible?

I always thought that was a bit much if you truely wanted to keep religion out of the courtroom.

Accualy you are not required to "swear on the Bible" You don’t have to say “so help me God.” You can leave religion completely out of it. And you don’t have to swear at all, as long as you say something that shows your intent to tell the truth.

11-4. Affirmation in lieu of oath.
When a person to be sworn shall have conscientious
scruples against taking an oath in the manner prescribed by G.S.
11-2, 11-3, or 11-7, he shall be permitted to be affirmed. In
all cases the words of the affirmation shall be the same as the
words of the prescribed oath, except that the word "affirm"
shall be substituted for the word "swear" and the words "so help
me God" shall be deleted. (1777, c. 108, s. 4, P.R.; c. 115, s.
42, P.R.; 1819, c. 1019, P.R.; 1821, c. 1112, P.R.; R.C., c. 76,
s. 3; Code, s. 3311; Rev., s. 2356; C.S., s. 3191; 1985, c. 756,
s. 3.)

[Kae]

Didn't know the law to quote - cool. I knew it could be done.

And I stated earlier, one of the main principles of our country is separation of Church and State. They did this so that they wouldn't have to leave this country if they were the minority and being oppressed. When a person of authority displays a preference for one religion over another inside his area of authority, it reduces the ability to be completely forthright. Would a juror or a plaintiff be willing to state something he knows the judge is completely against because it does not coincide with his belief system? I don't know if I would. It is the same reason that my students do not know my political choices or my religion. If they differ from mine, they might not feel as comfortable as the do in coming to me for help. I know this is true because some teachers do let the students know their preferences and the students talk about how they don't feel comfortable working with the teacher.

Just my .02

Kae

[Nevada]

whats interesting is I have always wondered if Jesus truly existed...what would he think of the twisted way his teachings are being used.....

[Eric McTavish]

whats interesting is I have always wondered if Jesus truly existed...what would he think of the twisted way his teachings are being used.....

whats even more intresting is the new theories that Jesus was married and had childern...

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

whats even more intresting is the new theories that Jesus was married and had childern...

We know for a fact Jesus wasn't married.

There's no way a married guy can just go and disappear for three days and have no excuse better than "I was dead". :D


(with thanks to Sam Kinison... RIP)

[Isabelle Fawkes]

Didn't know the law to quote - cool. I knew it could be done.

And I stated earlier, one of the main principles of our country is separation of Church and State. They did this so that they wouldn't have to leave this country if they were the minority and being oppressed. When a person of authority displays a preference for one religion over another inside his area of authority, it reduces the ability to be completely forthright. Would a juror or a plaintiff be willing to state something he knows the judge is completely against because it does not coincide with his belief system? I don't know if I would. It is the same reason that my students do not know my political choices or my religion. If they differ from mine, they might not feel as comfortable as the do in coming to me for help. I know this is true because some teachers do let the students know their preferences and the students talk about how they don't feel comfortable working with the teacher.

Just my .02

Kae

Actually the "separation of church and state" is misleading. The First Amendment was written to prohibit the government from establishing one single national religion (as happened in England with the Conventicle Act of 1665.) Therefor Congress can not require that all Americans become Catholics, or Anglicans, or members of any other denomination. It was written so the American people had a choice to believe in whatever diety they like, not to justify the persecution of religious belief.

I agree that people in authority who wear their religion "on their sleeve" can influence those around them. Should this infuence be allowed in our nations courtrooms? NO. I really do not care what the judge believes in as long as he can remain impartial to do his job.

[Phoenix McHeit]

I really do not care what the judge believes in as long as he can remain impartial to do his job.

And that, right there, is the crux of this whole 4 page long discourse. The question is, can he? I don't know if he is a judge that makes the decisions himself, or has jurors in his courtroom that might be influenced, in whatever way, by what he wears on his robe.
Just my 2 cents.

[Bonnie]

completely immaterial to the topic at hand (and it's been a fascinating discussion), but I LOVE your new tag line, Phoenix!

AS for the original topic.... that judge deserves an official reprimand for his actions. If I were a lawyer trying a case in his court, I'd certainly push for judicial misconduct, mistrial, or whatever else i could to bring it back to reality.

The judge's bench is not the place for a political agenda to be promoted, nor a spiritual one.

[Phoenix McHeit]

Why thankee, m'dear! Doth that mean ye be privy to the wondrous flick as well? MISS YOU LOTS!

*back to scheduled thread... sorry for interrupting*