You don't have to put your hand on that book. They don't care. They don't even truly believe in that **! They just use it to make themselves feel good about ***** on others.

This is news to me. Here we don't use a bible and only raise our hand and swear. At my last duty I complained about the "so help me God" crap and was told that if I mentioned this beforehand I would be given an alternate oath.

You can even ask for a book substitution these days!

Go and find out. I understand principles but now you can be civic minded and an atheist in many places.
They should not have a problem accommodating you.

Or simply call the courthouse and ask a few questions. They can tell you how they do things there.

No, you’re good. They’ll say do you swear to tell the truth and you’ll say I do. Depending on the judge it’s also usually pretty easy to get out of jury duty altogether if you can’t/don’t want to go. When I was called, I was in school. I left a voicemail for the judge saying if I missed anymore school I was going to fail, which wasn’t far from the truth, and never heard anything else about it. If it’s criminal court you’ve been called to it’s also pretty easy to answer their selection questions in a way that gets you disqualified. My dad was asked before a murder trial if he owned any guns and said no; they disqualified him. He could have also said yeah, about 50 and I shoot every day. Or if they ask if you have any personal experience/bias with some issue or another, just saying yes will probably disqualify you.

If you’re able and willing at all, I’d encourage you to serve on the jury though, especially if it’s criminal court. There aren’t enough atheists or black people represented on most juries and even more so than voting, it’s a way to make and see a tangible difference in an area of government that you’ll seldomly if ever get again.

Of course, atheists should be called for jury duty. It is part of being an American citizen, just like voting. It has nothing to do with religion. I served on a jury in New Jersey that decided for acquittal, and it felt like we did a good careful job examining the evidence and determining that the state hadn't made its case (allegedly attempted assault of a police officer who wasn't in uniform).

As for swearing on the Bible, that didn't apply to jurors in New Jersey. I'd be surprised if it would be different in Pennsylvania. That's typically just for witnesses. But if I were a witness, I'd just ask to swear on the US Constitution. No-one should make you swear on the Bible. Pretty sure that that is unconstitutional.

In court I was once asked if I swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me god. I replied "No". Without hesitation the judge asked "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?". I replied "Yes", and the proceedings continued.

They're used to it.

Never been called in. Honestly I would love to go though. The experience seems fun to me. I would probably just put my hand in the bible. I've had religion shoved in my face for so long now I'm numb to it.

I did jury duty. They don’t swear you in. If you ever have to do something that requires swearing in, you could request the constitution instead of a Bible.

I've stood for jury duty many times, I was empaneled just once. I wasn't required to swear in at any time. Not sure if it varies by state, but you swear in when you testify, not when you adjudicate. I was on call for the federal district court this year, but they didn't need me.

I've been a Jurist twice in my 65 years and have been an Atheist since I was old enough to ask questions about religions and decide for myself never had an iota of a problem with it Australian Court even when I've given evidence in court as well.
When required to give evidence I always state clearly that I am an Atheist and affirm on my word of Honour, which is the bedrock of my life btw, that the evidence I am about to give is the Truth to best of knowledge.
The American Legal System, imho, MUST be so backward that it is almost archaic.

They cannot force you to swear before God or on the bible if it is not your religion. Legally you can request to swear in upon a teacup if it's significant to your personal beliefs. In the instance I've been sworn in, never in official jury duty have I though, I've sworn on a copy of the US constitution because I specifically requested it.

As for jury duty, I particularly enjoy doing my civic duty and helping to hand justice and democracy down.

Why shouldn't atheists do jury duty? It's one's civic duty.

I don't know if they actually make jurors swear on Bibles, as someone else already pointed out, that seems to only be a thing on TV or the movies. However, if it does actually come up, you can request to swear on a copy of the Constitution, or even just swear to be truthful. I cannot imagine any court anywhere in the U.S. would force anyone to swear on a Bible.

At any rate, I would just like to take this opportunity to remind you, and everyone else, to please research "jury nullification". Such action can be very important in some trials.

I think that you might need legal advice.

Many places do not use the bible. And you don't have to say, 'so help me god.'

Jury duty is a privilege.

Many courts don't use bibles anymore nor ask for anything other than swearing to tell the truth. I would have no problem telling them I'll tell the truth but don't believe in a god. It's on them to decide what to do with me after that. Good luck!

It makes no difference if a Bible or coloring book.

You aren't required to swear on a bible for jury duty. It's unfortunately a societal norm but not a legal necessity.

I live in Massachusetts, which is the #2 atheist state in the US. There's no requirement to be sworn in on a bible here. In fact, I don't think that's a law of the land officially, it's certainly not in the constitution. Wasn't Obama sworn in on a dictionary?

go in if askd to put your on a bible ask for the constution or law book

Yet I wonder why people who have been incarcerated don't have to serve? Are they not citizens? lol.

I've been on jury duty six times. How unlucky can one person be. I don't recall being asked about religion. The juror oath, in KY, is something like "Do you swear or affirm...." The only people who had a problem with the oath were religious people. Because it was against their religion to swear???

i got out of jury duty once by replying that i was suicidal & could not care less about their petty, insignificant shit.

Why do you think you were threatened with arrest if you ignore it? there is no justice system if no one shows up for jury duty. It's part of the deal with living here, like paying taxes

Almost nowhere uses a babbleor any other "holy book" to swear on, they simply ask you to affirm/attest/agree to tell the truth (if a witness) or do your duty (if a juror), no melodrama! Show up, ferpetssake!

It is my understanding the the public oath on the Bible is a thing of the past. "Do you swear or *affirm..." .