On the slightly distorted screen, the Minister of the Security Department stood in the Witness Stand with one hand resting on the Bible.
"I swear before Almighty God that every piece of testimony I give here is the truth. I will not commit perjury!"
Some of the people attending the trial also smiled, as if the Minister of the Security Department had simply taken an oath and therefore truly would not lie! This was a very special "culture," based on people's belief in God and in the existence of Heaven and Hell.
Taking an oath with one's hand on the Bible in court had two meanings. The first was to clearly acknowledge one's responsibility and promise not to lie or commit perjury.
If a witness's testimony was discovered to be false, he would have violated the relevant laws. Perjury was not a felony in the Federal Union, but it was certainly no trivial matter.
A challenge to the justice system usually brought nothing but the judge's fury. Thus, although it might not be a major charge, the punishment would not be reduced in the slightest.
The other meaning was that if one committed perjury, one would not go to Heaven, because the witness had deceived God.
Those who deceived God could only go to Hell! It seemed like a mere formal process, but throughout Federal history, there had been many witnesses who dared not swear with their hands on the Bible! They claimed they were not believers or gave some other excuse, refusing to swear to God on the Bible.
Naturally, everyone knew they must have falsified their testimony without even needing to question them.
The Minister of the Security Department had taken his oath without stumbling. This determination and attitude were exactly what everyone wanted to see. As for