That would be a really, really strange Dr. Seuss book. Horton Takes a Slave?
-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Newly Elected Missouri County Council Member Takes Oath on Dr. Seuss Book
- Thread starter Skwim
- Start date
It appeases people.
It is the same reason we have funerals. For the live people. Dead people do not care.
whirlingmerc
Well-Known Member
An oath is an appeal to something greater.
So this is an oath in a weak sense.... fine... semantics but watering down what an oath means
It may be, but that it is conducted in a publicized ceremony is for those watching the ceremony. There is no evidence that it means anything. It just has emotional appeal for those watching.
People get on the witness stand and lie all the time after swearing an oath. It certainly has no power over them to prevent them from lying.
If you consider duty, honor and honesty of value, you are probably not going to intentionally lie or rebel whether under oath or not. So taking an oath that you will not, is not significant.
An oath is a social construct that has only the power that people give it.
Bob the Unbeliever
Well-Known Member
What? The morality of owning people? The morality of forcing a rape victim to marry the perp? The morality of using a scape goat, instead of owning up to your mistakes? The morality of killing your smart-mouth kids? The morality lesson that learning is bad, remain stupid is good? (Eden)
I do not see any positive morals coming from the bible.
Skwim
Veteran Member
HEY! You shouldn't be bringing up stuff like this.
In civil company god's vicious and immoral behavior is supposed to be ignored in favor of the ego-needy side of his character. It's simply good manners to defer to the grand Christian illusion and keep mum. Don't-cha know.
.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
What does an oath mean altogether? It's a silly ritual. If someone is going to uphold it, they don't need to swear to anything and make it a ritual. Someone who is going to break it, it doesn't matter what they swear on they'll break it. Is Christian morality so inept they won't be honest without taking extra steps to announce it? Are they so naive they think an oath will make people uphold noble intentions?
It's all theater.
And for many, a chance to reinforce the national religion.
whirlingmerc
Well-Known Member
A silly ritual?
It's a custom to demonstrate truthfulness. You swear on something that is meaningful to you as a sort of witness to your oath. Same as swearing on your life, mother, etc. It doesn't mean the person is actually truthful, obviously, but that's where it comes from. It's probably from when people took oaths much more seriously than now. An oathbreaker, centuries ago, was a scoundrel and despised in society. It's similar to shaking hands. We shake hands with our right hands to show that we're unarmed and sincere. Most people are right-handed and that would've been a big issue long ago.
It only demonstrates the appearance of willingness to be truthful.
I said in the post that it doesn't mean the person is actually truthful.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
That's all an oath is. It's no more binding, special, or privileged than saying "ok, I'll do it." If you say you're going to do something, do it. You shouldn't need a book, lines to repeat, and all the other pompous theater that is an oath. If you need it, your moral compass is probably screwed up.
Shad
Veteran Member
It is amusing isn't it. If someone's word isn't enough why does them swearing on a book suddenly make that word mean anything.
ecco
Veteran Member
Taking an oath on a book that is filled with vile acts (Your Bible) really waters down the meaning.
Thief
Rogue Theologian
but Conan the Barbarian did....
Thief
Rogue Theologian
I could be mistaken...but
green eggs and ham …..are fried with a particular mushroom
that's why the eggs turn green