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I wish that modern oaths also had curse clauses. It seems oddly common for autocrats and kleptocrats to have no problem screwing over millions of people, while

I wish that modern oaths also had curse clauses. It seems oddly common for autocrats and kleptocrats to have no problem screwing over millions of people, while still being terrified of religious or superstitious wrath. "So help me god" is not enough. How about, "And should I ever violate this sacred oath, in thought or in deed, may I be forever cursed and damned." Anyways, the US military already takes those sorts of oaths to refuse and report illegal orders, but they still commit plenty of war crimes.

Lammy 6y ago
“Again, your ancestors were taught, ‘Never swear an oath that you don’t intend to keep, but keep your vows to the Lord God.’ However, I say to you, don’t bind yourself by taking an oath at all. Don’t swear by heaven, for heaven is where God’s throne is placed. Don’t swear an oath by the earth, because it is the rug under God’s feet, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the Great King. And why would you swear by your own head, because it’s not in your power to turn a single hair white or black? But just let your words ring true. A simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ will suffice. Anything beyond this springs from a deceiver.” - Matthew 5: 33–37 (TPT)
- AaronFriel 6y ago
  There are evangelical Christian sites that interpret this as oaths of office being non-binding or non-Christian, and while I don't think many people consciously use that as a reason for violating their oaths, it's something to keep in mind.
  - munk-a 6y ago
    These are extremely twisted interpretations - a better way to read that is "Don't be a dick whether or not you took an oath - be truthful in all things." Those interpretations don't surprise me though since, like with any other group of people, there are a bunch of evangelical christians that bend the tenants of the group beyond a breaking point to suit their own interest.
    - jfk13 6y ago
      Who bend the tenants....? I don't think you mean that. Tenets, perhaps.
- meekrohprocess 6y ago
  Yes, but we're not talking about people who read the Bible here. One example off the top of my head, Jeff Sessions once invoked Romans 13 to defend Trump's immigration policies: >“I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order,” If he had actually read that book, he would have reached Romans 13:8. >Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Or Romans 15:1. >We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. At some point, you have to recognize that many people don't actually care what their holy books say. I maintain that a curse clause could work with those kinds of people.

Lammy 6y ago

“Again, your ancestors were taught, ‘Never swear an oath that you don’t intend to keep, but keep your vows to the Lord God.’ However, I say to you, don’t bind yourself by taking an oath at all. Don’t swear by heaven, for heaven is where God’s throne is placed. Don’t swear an oath by the earth, because it is the rug under God’s feet, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the Great King. And why would you swear by your own head, because it’s not in your power to turn a single hair white or black? But just let your words ring true. A simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ will suffice. Anything beyond this springs from a deceiver.” - Matthew 5: 33–37 (TPT)

AaronFriel 6y ago
There are evangelical Christian sites that interpret this as oaths of office being non-binding or non-Christian, and while I don't think many people consciously use that as a reason for violating their oaths, it's something to keep in mind.
- munk-a 6y ago
  These are extremely twisted interpretations - a better way to read that is "Don't be a dick whether or not you took an oath - be truthful in all things." Those interpretations don't surprise me though since, like with any other group of people, there are a bunch of evangelical christians that bend the tenants of the group beyond a breaking point to suit their own interest.
  - jfk13 6y ago
    Who bend the tenants....? I don't think you mean that. Tenets, perhaps.
meekrohprocess 6y ago
Yes, but we're not talking about people who read the Bible here. One example off the top of my head, Jeff Sessions once invoked Romans 13 to defend Trump's immigration policies: >“I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order,” If he had actually read that book, he would have reached Romans 13:8. >Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Or Romans 15:1. >We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. At some point, you have to recognize that many people don't actually care what their holy books say. I maintain that a curse clause could work with those kinds of people.