Oaths

RickST

RickST

RickST

Associate
Joined
5 Feb 2008
Posts
1,261
Hi all,
Been listening to radio 4 and there is a lot of talk about the Iraq enquiry being held publicly and also the possibility of some of it being taken under oath.


My questions is, what is the point of someone taking an oath? if they are going to lie what difference does it make that they are under oath?

is:
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

the correct wording? if so that would have no impact on me (an atheist) and as far as I can tell holds no additional weight.

What are your thoughts?
 
Also the crime of perjury is specifically swearing a false oath, so I guess they need something in there and traditionally it's got God involved.

Although you could be asked to make a statement like 'I swear to tell the truth under penalty of perjury' which is much the same.
 
Whether you're religious or not, lying under oath means you've committed a serious offence, perjury (I assume this is true for any oath that might be taken in this inquiry). Therefore it is not to be taken lightly.
 
scorza and Rich L said:
Whether you're religious or not, lying under oath means you've committed a serious offence, perjury (I assume this is true for any oath that might be taken in this inquiry). Therefore it is not to be taken lightly.
Click to expand...

thats the answer I was after.... I think a modern rewording might be a good idea tho
 
I have a very vague recollection that this has been done already, and the Church had a good moan about it. I think, although not certain, that you can elect to make a 'solemn affirmation'

*edit*

Yeah, here we go

http://www.jsboard.co.uk/etac/etbb/benchbook/et_03/et_mf04.htm

The most common wording for making an affirmation is:

‘I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.’
Click to expand...
 
You can swear an oath or an affirmation in a Court of law if you aren't religious, which removes all references to god.

The oath taken in a Court of Law takes the following form:-

‘I swear by [substitute Almighty God/Name of God (such as Allah) or the name of the holy scripture] that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.’

The wording of the Affirmation is as follows:-

‘I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.’

You can find a very informative page at this location:-

http://www.jsboard.co.uk/etac/etbb/benchbook/et_03/et_mf04.htm

A lot of people who are called as witnesses at Court have already given a statement of evidence which has a declaration at the top - this basically reads that they've read the statement and that they have not knowingly said anything in it that isn't true and lastly that they acknowledge if they have then they are liable to be prosecuted.

Some people are called by the Defence and haven't had statements obtained from them, so I suppose the oath or affirmation in Court serves the same purpose - and in any event is a sort of final warning.
 
There is no reason, to be quite frank. It's a remnant of the past when the power of God actually held meaning. Tying His will in with what you said in Court scared the Hell out of people.

Nowadays, you have chavvy scrotes in the dock wearing belts sequined with "JESUS" who aren't in any way affected by saying their lies are sworn to God.
 
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