I was always under the impression that JW`s were only to take an affirmation to tell the truth in a court of law and not to be swearing on anything ,especially the Bible .?
"Let your answer yes be yes and your no be no",
Matt.5:34-37 "However I say to you do not swear at all......For what is in excess of these is from the wicked one"
Geoffrey Jackson did take the oath and swore on the Bible to tell the truth and ... at that same A.R.C. took the option to take an Affirmation to tell the truth.
However he chose to swear on the Bible to tell the truth.