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An oath (from Old Saxon eoth) is either a promise or a statement of fact that calls upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually a god, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath.
A person taking an oath indicates this in a number of ways. The most usual is the explicit "I swear," but any statement or promise that includes "with {{Name}} as my witness" or "so help me {{Name}}," with {{Name}} being something or someone the oath-taker holds sacred, is an oath. Many people take an oath by holding in their hand or placing over their head a book of scripture or a sacred object, thus indicating the sacred witness through their action: such an oath is called corporal. However, the chief purpose of such an act is for ceremony or solemnity, and the act does not of itself make an oath.
[edit] Pledges, Oaths, and Vows
The distinction between oaths and other statements or promises is blurred in casual usage. The current Olympic Oath, for instance, is really a pledge and not properly an oath since there is only a "promise" and no appeal to a sacred witness. Oaths are sometimes equated with vows, which are somewhat more specific; according to the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, "A vow is an oath, but an oath is only a vow if the divine being is the recipient of the promise and is not merely a witness."
[edit] Legal oaths and affirmations
In law, oaths are made by a witness to a court of law before giving testimony. Typically, they include a promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, "so help me God." The written equivalent is known as an affidavit. The oath given to support an affidavit is frequently administered by a notary public who will memorialize the giving of the oath by affixing his or her seal to the document. A variation in some jurisdictions is the statutory declaration. New government officers such as judges and elected politicians are often required to swear oaths to serve their state or country as well.
In cases where swearing is a problem, an affirmation can be usually substituted for the above cases. This alternative allows atheists and people whose religion does not allow them to swear to still testify and hold office. Affirmations are also used if appropriate sacred scriptures are not available; for instance, a Muslim would most likely affirm if a Qu'ran was not made available. The United States has permitted affirmations since it was founded; it is explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. Only two US Presidents, Franklin Pierce and Herbert Hoover, have chosen to affirm rather than swear at their inaugurations. Legal reforms in the 18th and 19th centuries in the United Kingdom allowed the usage of affirmations, as well.
Breaking an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is perjury. In legal cases in the United States, witnesses are given an oath under the penalty of perjury for their testimony at trial or in a deposition.
[edit] Religious opposition
Various religious groups have objected to the taking of oaths, most notably the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the Mennonites. This is principally based on the words of Jesus in the Antithesis of the Law: "I say to you: 'Swear not at all'". Jesus says that we should hold ourselves to a high standard of truthfulness at all times: "yes" should mean "yes," "no" should mean "no," and there is no need for elaborate formal promises. The Apostle James also said,"Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned." [1] Not all Christians follow this reading, because of oaths and vows seemingly unreproached in the Old Testament.
Opposition to oath-taking caused many problems for these groups throughout their history. Quakers were imprisoned because of their refusal to swear loyalty oaths. Testifying in court was also difficult. George Fox famously challenged a judge who had asked him to swear, saying that he would do so once the judge could point to any Bible passage where Jesus or his apostles took oaths. (The judge could not, but this did not allow Fox to escape punishment.)
Because of this new legal situation, a few Quakers now believe that there is no real difference between an oath and an affirmation, other than the word used. Consequently, some refuse even to affirm using a set phrase.
Some Jews are also hesitant to take oaths, as making an unintentionally false oath would violate a Biblical commandment (Leviticus 19:12). In medieval Europe, Jews were required to swear the rather more severe Oath More Judaico in order for their testimony to be accepted.
[edit] Famous oaths
- Hippocratic Oath
- Veterinarian's Oath
- Pauper's oath
- Oath More Judaico ("Jewish Oath")
- Anti-Modernist oath
[edit] Oath types
- Oaths of allegiance
- Oaths of citizenship
- Oaths of office
- Loyalty oaths
- Blood oaths
[edit] Specific oaths
- Oath of the Peach Garden
- Bolívar's oath at Monte Sacro
- Oaths of Strasbourg
- Tennis Court Oath
- Hittite military oath
- fictional
- Oath of Fëanor
- Oath of Eorl
[edit] See also
[edit] External links