I have seen many questions and discussions regarding swearing on the Holy Bible or Koran. Do you think it should be enough if we promised to tell the truth? Do you think that it makes our word more trust worthy if we swear on the Holy Book?
This question is inspired by the folloving verse from the Bible:
Matthew 5: 34-37:
I tell you, Do not swear at all:either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair black or white. Simply let be your "Yes" be "Yes" and your "No" be your "No"; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Tell me your thoughts.
2007-01-28 07:40:15 · 15 answers · asked by SeeTheLight 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some people are swarn in without using a sacred text. In that case they sometimes use the wird "affirm" instead of "swear"--but it is just as binding.
Properly understood, the use of the Bible, Koran, or whatever is simply symbolic of the seriousness of the occasion.
2007-01-28 07:46:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would not swear on the Bible, you're right about the verse in Matthew 5. Jesus tells us plainly, DO NOT SWEAR AT ALL. I'm not sure when or where the swearing in on the Bible began?? That is a great question! I know that our country (America) was founded on God's Word, ironic that now that is exactly what everyone seems to want removed from government buildings, schools, etc. The really scary thing is, things in America are bad now and God has not been completely removed from here, but what will it be like when they finally succeed and have God removed from everywhere??? Praying for God's return!
2007-01-28 07:51:36 · answer #2 · answered by Mandy S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Greek, the passage you quoted refers to a different kind of swearing than anything we have today. In Greek, there are two words: swear, and oath. To swear, in the context of the passages you quoted, is to bind yourself into a covenant with a third party who is expected to back up your promise. If you swear by God, for example, you are making a covenant with God, implying that he will fulfill your obligation if you fail to do so. Jesus critisizes those who swear covenants with inanimate objects that do not have the power to fulfill anything.
The kind of oath that you take in court, on the Bible or the Koran, is not discouraged in Scripture. It is simply a promise that you make. Back when people were superstitious regarding sacred things, swearing oaths on holy books was sufficient to guarantee honesty. Today, of course, it is nothing more than a tradition.
BTW - Swearing on the Bible began with the Freemasons, c. 16th century.
2007-01-28 07:51:45 · answer #3 · answered by NONAME 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
US courts don't offer any book to "swear on" any more as far as I know. They simply ask you if you swear to tell the truth, thus making it a personal pledge.
I guess if you were a firm believer in any religion, swearing on its holy book may have an impact.
Your quote is irrelevant.
2007-01-28 07:48:27 · answer #4 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Does swearing on the bible make an athiest tell the truth. Pretty pointless if you ask me. For a person who has the bible as the holy book i think it is fine. For me as a muslim swearing on the Quran would suit me better, but God is my judge if i lie he is the one i have to answer too, so what is the point of lying?
2007-01-28 07:46:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
As an atheist, I would refuse to swear on any holy book. To do so would make me a hypocrite and a liar, and therefore invalidate any sworn testimony, because I would have lied from the start.
2007-01-28 07:44:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
People dont swear on books anymore, im glad you see the bible and quaran as just a book *smiles* maybe theres hope for you after all.
Well if someone is christian and they swear by the bible, they can be judged rather fairly, that they might lie to look good. that happens far too often when it comes to christians. I like lie detector tests, theyre fairly accurate, how about people just be hooked up to one, no swearing needed there.
2007-01-28 07:44:18 · answer #7 · answered by ihatechristiansegyptiangoddess 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You swear on a holy book or affirm. If you are shown to be a perjurer the penalty is the same.
2007-01-28 07:43:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's what I believe, and in a court of law you can let your yes be yes and refuse to swear on a Bible.
2007-01-28 07:44:48 · answer #9 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think what you swear on makes any difference - liars are going to lie whether or not they promise on the Bible or Koran.
PS - I like your avatar.
2007-01-28 07:45:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋