by K L Humphreys

Created on: June 22, 2008

Yes of course the Bible should continue as the book to swear or confirm by. It's probably the number one best seller of all time. It should always have a place in court room dramas, but I want to be fair and consider other alternatives.

If we did stop using the book of all truth, in our justice system, what could we use?

How about using a medical book such as, "Dr. Seuss"! I think "The Cat in the Hat" would be ideal for new words and phrases, especially in the area of defense. "Horton Hears a Who", might raise some interesting questions. "When and where did you hear a who, and what time was it Mr. Horton?"

Perhaps our court rooms need something more serious to tell the truth by, how about a song? I have heard rumors that one of the nominees for president wants to sing "I'd like to teach the world to sing", instead of pledging allegiance to the flag. I don't agree with that, but it might be an idea for producing the truth in a murder case.

I guess any song would do, "Yesterday", might be a good one for someone convicted of a crime, since all their troubles used to be so far away. The Eagles have great song, about getting over it, and that could be especially for the district attorney, after losing a case.

There could be several books, and whatever your profession or job title was, the bailiff could reach into a file and pull out the appropriate swearing in book. Mechanics could promise to fix all mechanical problems with the aid of a trusty wrench, and a fast food employee could get through their testimony quick!

When Christians testified they could ask for the Bible since that's their profession and life, but someone decided that the Bible wasn't appropriate and wasn't allowed. So a woman who was a home engineer could swear by garden magazine.

I don't think any book will ever take the place of the scriptures, after all the first five books of the Bible are called the "law". Do we really want witnesses placing their right hand on a Sears catalog, or another religious book? If Pilate a man in authority didn't know what truth was, how will people involved with finding justice, know what it is?

I guess I can't really take this debate seriously, because promising to tell the truth on any other book than the Bible is silly, and folks have difficulty telling the truth when they use the Bible. What would they say with Betty Crocker's Cookbook?

If the day comes when the Word of God is not allowed in the courtroom then Christians must look to their hearts and know that the truth is there, and cannot be removed.

Remember you can't swear or confirm to tell the truth the whole truth, if the book you're swearing by doesn't have all the truth, and that's all I have to say about it, "so help me God".

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