Evidence of the beliefs or opinions of a witness on matters of religion shall not be admissible for the purpose of proving that by reason of the nature of the beliefs or opinions the witness's credibility is impaired or enhanced.

JUDICIAL DECISIONS

Editor's notes.

- In light of the similarity of the statutory provisions, decisions under former Civil Code 1910, § 5268 and former Code 1933, § 38-1602 are included in the annotations for this Code section.

Belief in supreme being.

- Although desirable, it was not essential to the witness's competency that the witness believe in a supreme being, or that the witness be aware of God's existence. Smith v. State, 247 Ga. 511, 277 S.E.2d 53 (1981) (decided under former Code 1933, § 38-1602).

Individual acts of witness.

- It was not competent to take up individual acts of a witness and inquire of the witness as to the significance of such acts when viewed from a religious standpoint. Otherwise, practically every act of a man's life might be taken up and examined into. Eugee v. State, 159 Ga. 604, 126 S.E. 471 (1925) (decided under former Civil Code 1910, § 5268).

RESEARCH REFERENCES

Am. Jur. 2d.

- 81 Am. Jur. 2d, Witnesses, § 162.

C.J.S.

- 98 C.J.S. (Rev), Witnesses, § 191 et seq.

ALR.

- Propriety and prejudicial effect of impeaching witness by reference to religious belief or lack of it, 76 A.L.R.3d 539.

Syfert Injury Law Firm

2018 Georgia Code 24-6-610 | Car Wreck Lawyer

TITLE 24 EVIDENCE

Section 6. Witnesses, 24-6-601 through 24-6-658.

ARTICLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

24-6-610. Religious beliefs or opinions.

Cross references.

Law reviews.