'''Swearing in''' in the process of holding witnesses accountable for their official statements, as in a court proceeding such as a criminal or civil trial. While a witness is sworn in, everything they say must be true, or else they can be charged with [[perjury]].
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'''Swearing in''' is the process of holding witnesses accountable for their official statements, as in a court proceeding such as a criminal or civil trial. While a witness is sworn in, everything they say must be true, or else they can be charged with [[perjury]].
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In Christian countries such as the U.S., a witness will place one hand on the Bible and raise the other hand. The oath taken is,
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In Christian countries such as the U.S., a witness will place one hand on the Bible and raise the other hand, though the Bible is rarely used in court proceedings today. A common oath taken is,
:Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (so help you God)?
:Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (so help you God)?
Line 9:
Line 9:
:I do.
:I do.
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[[Category:Law]]
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Officials are often sworn into office in a similar way.
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==Koran controversy==
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America's first [[Muslim]] congressman, [[Keith Ellison]] (D - Minn.), said he would carry a Koran to his swearing-in ceremony.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1207/p01s03-uspo.html At swearing in, congressman wants to carry Koran. Outrage ensues]</ref>