Senior magistrate calls for all bibles to be removed from courtrooms in Victoria
A senior magistrate is calling for bibles to be removed from courtrooms in Victoria, labelling them a relic of the past that belong in a museum.
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A senior magistrate is calling for all Bibles to be removed from courtrooms in Victoria, labelling them relics that belong in a museum.
The well-known Melbourne magistrate likened the Bible and Koran to the “gavel, the wig, quill and ink” — objects he says have no place in a modern courtroom.
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The proposal, appearing in an email chain seen by the Herald Sun, was prompted by an incident in which a Bible could not be found for a witness who was giving evidence via remote video link.
Witnesses who wish to swear on oath to tell the truth, rather than simply affirm they will do so, may take the oath while holding a Bible or Koran or other religious text, depending on their religion, but are not legally required to do so.
The email, which was sent to all Victorian magistrates and judicial registrars, encouraged others to weigh in on the proposed change.
It read: “I have asked (a court registrar) to consider removing all the Bibles, Korans, etcetera from the courts. In my opinion they are relics from another time and like the gavel, the wig and the quill and ink, they belong in a museum, not a modern court. Am curious about what others think.”
The push to remove the religious texts follows legislation introduced last year, which took effect last month, updating Victoria’s laws relating to oaths, affidavits, and statutory declarations.
Last year the then Attorney-General, Martin Pakula, said the changes would make the legal system “fairer and more equal” and ensure that people were not discouraged from giving evidence by the formal wording of an oath or affirmation.
“This is an important step towards modernising and clarifying processes affecting thousands of Victorians who have previously had to struggle with some confusing and antiquated laws,” he said.
A spokesman for the Magistrates’ Court said while the court was aware of the Magistrate’s comments, “there is no intention to remove the Bibles, Korans etcetera from courtrooms at this stage”.