Infidel

One who does not believe in the existence of a God who will reward or punish in this world, or that which is to come. Willes, 550. One who professes no religion that can bind his conscience to speak the truth. 1 Greenl. Ev. § 368. This term has been very indefinitely applied. Under the name of "infidel," Lord Coke comprises Jews and heathens (2 Inst. 506; 3 Inst. 165), and Hawkins includes among infidels such as do not believe either in the Old or New Testament (Hawk. P. C. bk. 2, c. 46, § 148). INFIDELITAS (Lat.)

In feudal law. Infidelity; faithlessness to one's feudal oath. Spelman. INFIDUCIARE (Law Lat.)

In old European law. To pledge property. Spelman. INFIHT (Saxon). An assault upon an inhabitant of same dwelling. Anc. Inst. Eng.

One who does not believe in the existence of a God who will reward or punish in this world or that which is to come. Willes 650. One who professes no religion that can bind his conscience to speak the truth. 1 Greenl. Ev. § 368. One who does not recognize the inspiration or obligation of the Holy Scriptures, or generally recognized features of the Christian religion. Gibson V. Ins. Co., 37 N. Y. 580. This term has been very indefinitely applied. Under the name of Infidel, Lord Coke comprises Jews and heathens; Co. 2d Inst 506; Co. 3d Inst 165; and Hawkins includes among infidels such as do not believe either in the Old or New Testament; Hawk. PI. Cr. b. 2, c. 46, 8. 148. The objection to the competency of witnesses who have no religious belief is removed in England and in most of the United States by statutory enactments; 1 Whart. Ev. § 395. It has been held that at common law it is only requisite that the witness should believe in the existence of a God who will punish and reward according to desert; 1 Atk. 21; Butts v. Swartwood, 2 Cow. (N. Y.) 431; Wakefield v. Ross, 5 Mas. 18, Fed. Cas. No. 17,060; Arnold v. Estate of Arnold, 13 Vt. 862; Blair v. Seaver, 26 Pa. 274; that it is sufficient if the punishment is to be in this world; Shaw v. Moore, 49 N. C. 26; contra, Atwood v. Wei ton, 7 Conn. 66. And see People v. Mc Garren, 17 Wend. (N. Y.) 460; Cubbison v. Mc Creary, 2 W. & S. (Pa.) 262; Brock v. Milligan, 10 Ohio 121. A witness’s belief is to be presumed till the contrary appear; Donnelly v. State, 26 N. J. L. 463; id., 26 N. J. L. 601; and his disbelief amination of the witness himself; 1 Greenl. Ev. I 870, n.; Scott v. Hooper, 14 Vt. 535. INFIHT (Sax.). An assault upon an inhabitant' of same dwelling. Gloss. Anc. Inst & L^ws of Eng.

One who does not believe in the existence of a God who will reward or punish in this world or that which is to come. Willes, 550. One who professes no religion that can bind his conscience to speak the truth. 1 Greenl. Ev. § 368.

One who does not recognize the inspiration or obligation of the Holy Scriptures, or the generally recognized features of the Christian religion.^ See Atheist; Oath. Infidelity. See Charity, p. 170, col. 3.

persons, evidence. One who does not believe in the existence of a God, who will reward or punish in this world or that which is to come. Willes's R. 550. This term has been very indefinitely applied, and has been by different persons made to express almost opposite ideas. Under the name of infidel, Lord Coke comprises jews and heathens. 2 Inst. 506; 3 Inst. 165; and Hawkins includes among infidels such as do not believe either in the Old or New Testament. Hawk. P. C. b. 2, c. 46, s. 148. It is now settled that when the witness believes in a God who will reward or punish him even in this world, he is competent. Willes, R. 550. His belief may be proved from his previous declarations and avowed opinions, and when he has avowed himself to be an infidel, he may show a reform of his conduct, and change of his opinion since the declarations proved; when the declarations have been made for a very considerable space of time, slight proof will suffice to show he has changed his opinion. There is some conflict in the cases on this subject.