Under Rule 609(e), which statement about a witness's religious beliefs is correct?

Under Rule 609(e), which statement about a witness's religious beliefs is correct?

• A. Religious beliefs are not admissible to attack or support credibility.
• B. Religious beliefs may be used if the witness is religious.
• C. Religious beliefs are admissible if the witness has acted in a religious role.
• D. Religious beliefs are always admissible.

Answer: (A)

Religious beliefs or opinions about religion cannot be used to attack or bolster a witness’s credibility. This rule protects the fairness of impeachment by ensuring credibility assessments aren’t influenced by prejudice about a person’s faith or religious status. Even if a witness is religious or has acted in a religious role, those beliefs don’t make them more or less truthful and thus aren’t admissible for credibility purposes. If there are other grounds to question reliability or bias, those can be explored, but not by introducing the witness’s religious beliefs.

Religious beliefs or opinions about religion cannot be used to attack or bolster a witness’s credibility. This rule protects the fairness of impeachment by ensuring credibility assessments aren’t influenced by prejudice about a person’s faith or religious status. Even if a witness is religious or has acted in a religious role, those beliefs don’t make them more or less truthful and thus aren’t admissible for credibility purposes. If there are other grounds to question reliability or bias, those can be explored, but not by introducing the witness’s religious beliefs.