What oath do I take in court for a tribunal ?

[quiet pilgrim]

Good morning , I am looking for some advice or ideas...I am being called to an employment tribunal at my place of work, as a witness in an employee case. The barrister has told me that as I am called to the witness stand I will be asked to swear/ take an oath on the holy bible or any other way that fits my beliefs. I don't want to swear on the bible despite not having a problem with it personally. I would like to take my Druidic vow and really mean it, but don't know if one exists, or if I should make my own and take that with me......does anyone have any expertise to offer me ?

[Heddwen]

I don't know if this helps or not, but I read of a pagan oath that you could swear by, on the internet. I'd have to search for it again. My mother who is a Buddhist swore on a non christian oath when she went to court. They had one especially for her. As for a Druidic oath, I wouldn't know if ours is applicable or not.

[DaRC]

Have a look at this, you have a fair amount of choice
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sworn_testimony
As a Druid you could use a piece of Oak or Ash for your oath or simply use an Affirmation

[Badger Bob]

Whenever I have been called to the witness stand I have made an affirmation, it covers the legal niceties, doesn't compromise my beliefs and allows the court to get on with the job in hand.

[Oakapple]

There's mention of the pagan oath here

http://www.pagan-network.org/forums/ind ... ic=20399.0

When I was a doing jury service I ended up affirming to save trouble, but I felt it a bit unsatisfactory. I asked the jury clerk afterwards and they seemed to think that in order to swear rather than affirm you needed a Holy book, which would have been a problem. I did send a message to the judge who promised a letter to clarify, but that was six months ago and no reply!

[Heddwen]

Aha! that's where I saw it. If it helps, there is a pagan police association. They may be able to advise you.

http://www.policepaganassociation.org/

[Green Raven]

I always affirm:

Witness Affirmation
"I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/giving-evidence-in-court

This is the simple, no-drama way to do the necessary. Judges and other court regulars also know that this is the format preferred by the devoutly religious as well as the atheistic, as they tend to see swearing on holy books as blasphemous. All in all it gives the impression of being thoughtful and trustworthy.

[DJ Droood]

I guess it depends on what you want...to make a public/work statement about your druidry or just avoid using the Bible oath when making your promise to testify truthfully.. When I was presented with this not too long ago, I opted for the affirmation...I actually didn't say much of anything...the clerk said something to the effect of "Do you promise to tell the truth, etc." and I said yes. Simply promising to tell the truth is quite Druidic, imo, and a primary statement of spiritual conviction for me.

[quiet pilgrim]

Thanks for the replies, really helpful.i think I will go for the affirmation, as it's about keeping integrity rather than needing to share my Druidic. I've really valued your input. Xx

[ShadowCat]

Simply promising to tell the truth is quite Druidic, imo, and a primary statement of spiritual conviction for me.

In the Netherlands there is the choice between Christian or secular. They are both performed in much the same way (rarely any biblebanging either way). The question is much the same, but you either answer "Zo waarlijk helpe mij god almachtig (So truly, may god help me)" or "Dat beloof ik/dat verklaar ik (So I promise/so I declare)". I feel too that the standard secular option is druidic enough for all intents and purposes: it puts all responsibility with yourself, rather than with deity.