Under Oath

[Magus]

You guys are aware that "mortal v. venial sins" is mostly a Catholic thing and that Protestants don't necessarily think they're going to hell if they lie, even if they do consider it a sin, right? Like that there are hundreds of Christian denominations who all think different things about sin and the repercussions thereof, whether they only effect the saved in this mortal life versus affecting the saved in the hereafter, and so on?

Just thought I'd interject that there are various and differing beliefs on the subject and so this "leveling" being done on the subject of Christians kind of misses the massive nuances in Christianity.

EDIT: I only say that because Aerozord and parts of Hawk's responses seemed to miss the nuances in belief that exist, mildly. Not really to start any discussion in that particular direction since this topic is supposed to be about personal interpretations of the truth oath.

[Aerozord]

Originally Posted by Magus

EDIT: I only say that because Aerozord and parts of Hawk's responses seemed to miss the nuances in belief that exist, mildly. Not really to start any discussion in that particular direction since this topic is supposed to be about personal interpretations of the truth oath.

didn't miss it just, raised catholic so, you know, that perspective

[Oron]

I always saw the oath as a verbal contract of sorts, as in "Do you agree to only present factual truth to the court or face the consequences should the court determine you have presented false statements/evidence?"

So saying "I do," basically means "Yes, I will tell the truth, and I accept that I will face punishment at the hands of the court should I commit perjury and be discovered."

So do people outright lie in court? I don't know.

I'm sure many attorneys will bend the truth to an insane degree to dilute the facts and twist the trial in their client's favor.

I wouldn't ever lie (I hope) if I were summoned to a trial. But I can't determine beforehand what kind of trial I would ever be involved in, who's on trial, what the stakes are, etc. etc.

I don't know, some people might regard what happens to the defendant differently than how they would regard any personal sense of honor.

So... eh, maybe?

[Aldurin]

hey, the guy on the other side of the courtroom lied, why can't I?

[Magus]

Originally Posted by Aldurin

hey, the guy on the other side of the courtroom lied, why can't I?

1. How would you determine this as true?

2. Even if true, wouldn't this be bringing yourself down to his level?

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Originally Posted by Aerozord

actually that does raise a very good point. Swearing to God to tell the truth is kind of stupid when lying in and of itself is already a mortal sin. If they cared about divine punishment then they would be honest anyways

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. James 5:12

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Originally Posted by Magus

snip

Yeah, I'm from the UK. I guess that wiki article explains it then. I have no idea why they don't have a secular version of the promise either though, seems like it would be a good idea and it's hardly the most difficult thing in the world to intorduce it.

I just found it quite amusing at the time that I was swearing on the name of god when I don't even believe in god. Just another thing to add to the stupidity of my country I guess.

[Yrcrazypa]

Originally Posted by Smarty McBarrelpants

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. James 5:12

I'm not very good at the whole Bible-speech thing, but doesn't that basically say that you aren't supposed to swear an oath on the Bible?

If so, that's pretty amusing to me.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Originally Posted by Yrcrazypa

I'm not very good at the whole Bible-speech thing, but doesn't that basically say that you aren't supposed to swear an oath on the Bible?

If so, that's pretty amusing to me.

Isn't there also a bit somewhere about not passing judgement on anyone else too? Because in that case you shouldn't even be testifying, never mind swearing on the bible that what you're testifying is true. Or maybe that just applies for jury duty.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Originally Posted by Yrcrazypa

I'm not very good at the whole Bible-speech thing, but doesn't that basically say that you aren't supposed to swear an oath on the Bible?

If so, that's pretty amusing to me.

That is pretty much exactly what it says.

Originally Posted by Hawk

Isn't there also a bit somewhere about not passing judgement on anyone else too? Because in that case you shouldn't even be testifying, never mind swearing on the bible that what you're testifying is true. Or maybe that just applies for jury duty.

Do not judge or you too will be judged- Matthew 7:1