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Raz0rBlade_uk
on 2007-03-01 15:57 [#02057004]
Points: 12540 Status: Addict | Show recordbag
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is this still a formality?
doesn't the bible teach not to swear anyway?
the idea is that people are more likely to tell the truth. isn't there something slightly unethical about that? something about it seems wrong i fear.
if i was in that situation i would refuse. however, that may make me look a little guilty.
views etc?
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horsefactory
from 💠 (United Kingdom) on 2007-03-01 16:00 [#02057005]
Points: 14867 Status: Regular
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deep
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Brisk
from selling smack at the orphanage on 2007-03-01 16:01 [#02057007]
Points: 4667 Status: Lurker
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It is rather redundant, since most criminals are unlikely to give a shit about religion (and it's ethical codes) anyway.
The great thing about Christianity is that all your sins can be forgiven at confession anyway. Even if you lie under oath, you can always just ask for forgiveness later if you so desire. Bingo!
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DirtyPriest
from Copenhagen (Denmark) on 2007-03-01 16:02 [#02057008]
Points: 5499 Status: Lurker | Followup to Brisk: #02057007
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That would be catholic christianity.
Theres nothing in the bible about swearing.
Jesus wasn't a christian.
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Raz0rBlade_uk
on 2007-03-01 16:08 [#02057010]
Points: 12540 Status: Addict | Followup to Brisk: #02057007 | Show recordbag
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someone told me that once you accept jesus as your lord and saviour, there's no going back. you could rape and kill a child, mug an old lady, commit hate crimes, and STILL you would get your free pass to heaven. she said that eternal salvation has nothing to do with being a 'good' person, as jesus has already payed the price for all the sins of the world.
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Ezkerraldean
from the lowest common denominator (United Kingdom) on 2007-03-01 16:36 [#02057019]
Points: 5733 Status: Addict | Followup to Raz0rBlade_uk: #02057010
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jesus died for your sins!
make the most of it!
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rockenjohnny
from champagne socialism (Australia) on 2007-03-01 16:45 [#02057020]
Points: 7983 Status: Lurker
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as you say its just a formality.
round here you do have the option of taking an oath without the bible.
i dont think its anything to get too worked up about. its not like youre being held down and baptised.
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JivverDicker
from my house on 2007-03-01 16:47 [#02057022]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to rockenjohnny: #02057020
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It's the same in England. It's a formal ritual that from that point you can be prosecuted for lying.
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rockenjohnny
from champagne socialism (Australia) on 2007-03-01 16:53 [#02057023]
Points: 7983 Status: Lurker | Followup to JivverDicker: #02057022
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yeah thats it. theres a signed contract. my friend recently went through this process in jury duty. she came home irritated about having sworn the bible when she was unaware of the alternative. i said pretty much the same thing to her as i did in my last post
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JivverDicker
from my house on 2007-03-01 16:59 [#02057026]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to rockenjohnny: #02057023
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When I was 17 or so, I had to swear on the bible and say why I was pissed out of my mind driving my mums car, crashing into a bench and knocking over a lamppost. I didn't have to 'swear on the bible' but I did because I was young and a nutcase.
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Dannn_
from United Kingdom on 2007-03-01 17:12 [#02057032]
Points: 7877 Status: Lurker | Followup to JivverDicker: #02057026
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I presume you joined the air force to straighten yourself out?
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JivverDicker
from my house on 2007-03-01 17:16 [#02057034]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Dannn_: #02057032
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ofcourse, now I'm airborne it's a different kettel of fish.
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Ceri JC
from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-03-01 17:16 [#02057035]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to JivverDicker: #02057026 | Show recordbag
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Rock and roll! Everyone has a mate who crashed their parent's car when pissed, or drove it while they were away on holiday. My best was that I borrowed my elder brother's A4 (before I could even drive) while my family were away. Looking back, it's a miracle none of the neighbours rang the police; I took so long to park it. I ended up asking my girlfriend's mum to put it in the garage.
I don't know if I would swear on the bible, solely because as Razorblade says, it says in the bible that oaths imply that you lie the rest of the time. As I'm religious, I'd probably also feel guilty as I invariably perjured myself, had I sworn on the bible, whereas if I felt my actions were moral, I could otherwise lie with a clear conscience.
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JivverDicker
from my house on 2007-03-01 17:39 [#02057040]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Ceri JC: #02057035
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The car flipped and I could taste glass. That's all I can remember really. Two fat kids called 'Beef and Bun' not their real names were sat on the wench bench, and said torch it, the police came and the rest followed. it was a pretty minor incident but the court thing I still remeber vividly
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ecnadniarb
on 2007-03-01 17:42 [#02057041]
Points: 24805 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
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I told my mate to try to plead the "fif" at magistrates court, obviously explaining to him that the "fif" is a law that means if they haven't got solid evidence they must acquit (using "if the glove doesn't fit" analogy).
I like having friends with below average intelligence, although I never found out if he tried as they sentenced him to 6 months and I never saw him again.
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JivverDicker
from my house on 2007-03-01 17:43 [#02057042]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to ecnadniarb: #02057041
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haha!
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ecnadniarb
on 2007-03-01 17:45 [#02057044]
Points: 24805 Status: Lurker | Followup to JivverDicker: #02057040 | Show recordbag
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haha, the two 'cocks' of a school near ours were called "custard" and "cake".
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JivverDicker
from my house on 2007-03-01 17:49 [#02057045]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to ecnadniarb: #02057044
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HaHa! When I first moved there I called Beef and Bun out. I lasted about 12 seconds! It was fun though.
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ecnadniarb
on 2007-03-01 17:52 [#02057048]
Points: 24805 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
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My mate head butted Custard but ran off when Cake finally managed to stand up. He was shouting "run, there's two of them" when we were in a gang of about six, we just stood about laughing.
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pachi
from yo momma (United States) on 2007-03-01 21:50 [#02057124]
Points: 8984 Status: Lurker
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This man quite literally swears by the Bible, but please view at home if you wish to keep your job ;)
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Chin Bwoy Phat
from London (United Kingdom) on 2007-03-02 02:52 [#02057148]
Points: 574 Status: Lurker
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i went to court once for driving offences and non payment of fines - a policeman actually came 'round my house and said that i had to go to court the next day as i'd not responded to any letters etc. and he would be round to pick me up and take me to court in the morning.
so he came around and fethced me and was pretty sound really, just told me that it's a very minor matter and don't worry about it, just tell them you've been skint and you'll be out of there in 20 mins etc etc..
so i get to court feeling pretty relaxed and thinking "this'll be a doddle"... my case comes up and i nonchelantly waltz up to the dock and greet the magistrates with a cheery smile and a wave....they seem a bit shocked at my attitude and ask me if I realise that this is a serious matter?
i tell them that of course i do and then the guy comes up to me with the bible for me to swear on with a little script already written out. i didn't actually think that you had to swear on the bible in real life and i was mildy amused by it, so proceeded to read the statement in an extremely sarcastic manner i.e "i sear to the THE TRUTH, the whole TRUTH and nothing but...........THE TRUTH". more stunned looks from the three magistrates..
they asked me why i hadn't paid my fines, i just said "er, dunno really, just haven't" (still thinking this isn't a serious case and all routine questions)
they asked me if i had a job and I said "yes. yes i have. funnily enough - i actually work tracing people who don't pay their debts! ha ha ha...." ( i did actually have a job as a tracer)
the magistrates exchanged furtive glances....
they had a whispered confabulation....
i'm standing there feeling like it's gone pretty well, waiting for the verdict expecting to get a small fine and a ticking off
the chief magistrate finally said: "right mr caddick. i'm sending you TO PRISON."
i nearly fell over. i had to grip the handrail around the dock for support while i opened and closed my mouth like an expiring fis
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Drunken Mastah
from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2007-03-02 02:57 [#02057150]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
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Wasn't there some outrage over whatshisface over in america who just got elected for something big and was (SHOKC) a black man and a muslim, and then he didn't want to be sworn in on the bible and everyone was all like "oh my god this is an outrage!!! Why doesn't he just do it? It's not like it means anything anyway, so I'm outraged that he isn't doing it!!!"
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Chin Bwoy Phat
from London (United Kingdom) on 2007-03-02 02:57 [#02057152]
Points: 574 Status: Lurker
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that would have been FISH. anyway...
the chief magistrate then said:
"HOWEVER... should you pay all your fines within 1 week from today, you will not have to go. you have a 1 week suspended prison sentance, so make sure you pay the fines."
anyway, i was then released, made my way out of the court room and then out of the building like a bat out of hell and promptly got on the phone to the old man to confess all, get a boloocking and, hopefully, arrange a small loan to pay the fines.
i mamaged to get the fines paid and the prison sentance was commuted.
so, the moral of this, rather long tale, has to be - if you're ever in court, don;t take the piss out of the bible and the court proceedings generally as the powers that be seem to find it offensive.
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Ceri JC
from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-03-02 03:12 [#02057155]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to Chin Bwoy Phat: #02057152 | Show recordbag
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Following my own appearence in court last year, I'd echo this sentiment. A family friend who is a magistrate (as well as several lawyers) recommended that penitence was the key. If it's your first time in court, it's fairly believeable that you are shocked/embarresed about being there. Without hamming it up so much it that it looks like your taking the piss, shed some crocodile tears and you'll get off lightly.
It seems appearing sorry is more important than the circumstances of the offence in many cases, when it comes to sentencing. Also, get the lawyer to say anything you might have to say in mitigation (explaining why you did it/why the sentence should be light), rather than yourself. Coming from them, they'll consider it. Coming from you they interpret it as you making excuses.
I wasn't asked to swear on the bible. I imagine it's because I'd plead guilty already (another way of dramatically reducing the sentence- it's not quite like america in that respect yet, but it's getting near to it all the time).
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