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The point of swearing on the bible is supposed to be that you are swearing before god that you will tell the truth. Since the bible is sacred and important to christians, swearing on it gives them extra incentive not to lie. What if you're not christian, don't believe in god, and don't see the bible as sacred or important? What if it's just another dusty old book to you?

I think that it is pointless to ask non-believers to swear on the bible. Some may see it as an excuse to lie, for example "well it's only the bible which is a load of crap so it doesn't really matter if I tell the truth or not." Some may even find it uncomfortable, like they are being asked to pledge allegiance to something that they disagree with. For most, I'm sure it just seems pointless.

Surely choosing the holy text of one particular religion above all others is politically incorrect, religionist if you will. It is discrimination against those who don't believe the same things. It is old fashioned, out of date, and wrong to force christian views upon everyone who passes through the court system.

Perhaps instead of removing the bible, there should be alternatives offered for those of other religions. Other holy books could be available for people to choose from. But how would this cover non-believers such as agnostics, atheists, and those who follow religions without a holy book?

It is my firm belief that religion and justice should not be combined at all. My opinion is probably biased by the fact that I am a fan of neither religion nor the legal system, but since the legal system is what we are discussing, why add more controversy to it than there needs to be by including only one religion?

Get the bible out of the court rooms. Have people swear on a copy of the law instead, or just don't bother asking them to swear on anything at all, it'll hardly make a difference to whether or not they decide to tell the truth.

Learn more about this author, Kate Hudson.
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