Oaths

[S_V7]

Hope this is the place for this

Ok well, to avoid any future scrupulosity issues, I sought to understand exactly what oaths are all about. This article helped alot

newadvent.org/cathen/11176a.htm

and I read it a while back when I had one of my scrupulous meltdowns, but my adolescent brain can’t seem to fully grasp and understand what it says. So far I get that there are 3 kinds of oaths and factors that make them valid and such and I was wondering if anyone could better explain all this this.

I was wondering in particular, what if one does not recall wether they said an oath or if they’re unsure that they said one…is that even possible? What if a person firmly resolves to do something, say pray a daily Rosary, but finds that some days it’s difficult due to a full schedule? Would that resolution be an implied oath or a spontaneous statement? What exactly is an implied oath, do they even exist

Due to my slight OCD problem, I’m quite certain I’ll fret over this sooner or later and would like to be better prepared and not go flying off the wall.

Any clarifications would be great:thumbsup:

 

[baltobetsy]

I suggest that you not even try to read this. First of all, this kind of reading is rarely if ever helpful to the scrupulous person. Secondly, this article is so outdated as to be nearly useless. The conventions of language that are described as oaths are not part of our speech today.

Most importantly, your concern about accidentally binding yourself by an oath, or forgetting that you have done so is something not to worry about ever. An oath, especially today, when they are so rare (in a court of law, the swearing in of a public official, a solemn promise made to God in the presence of one’s Bishop) is unforgettable and never accidental. Like mortal sin, you have to intend to bind yourself by an oath. To speak carelessly (“I swear, if this car breaks down one more time…”) without intending to make a solemn promise does not in itself, magically, dangerously, bind you to do something. It’s just careless speech. God knows your heart and your intentions. He’s not waiting to trap you in your speech.

Just let this one go.

Betsy

 

[S_V7]

Is there a better source for reading about this?

 

[S_V7]

Most importantly, your concern about accidentally binding yourself by an oath, or forgetting that you have done so is something not to worry about ever. An oath, especially today, when they are so rare (in a court of law, the swearing in of a public official, a solemn promise made to God in the presence of one’s Bishop) is unforgettable and never accidental. Like mortal sin, you have to intend to bind yourself by an oath. To speak carelessly (“I swear, if this car breaks down one more time…”) without intending to make a solemn promise does not in itself, magically, dangerously, bind you to do something. It’s just careless speech. God knows your heart and your intentions. He’s not waiting to trap you in your speech.

I think I’ve heard this before somewhere, is there a link to it?

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Ive wondered about swearing oaths, for instance in Canada they no longer swear on a bible. I wondered about that so I found the verses below. If I understand them right, we were never to swear on a bible anyway so it wasnt as bad they stopped doing that.

Maybe SV7 if you took the last part to heart and just let your yes be yes, and your no is no. You may feel comfortable.?

*Mat 5:33-37

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’

"But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

"nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

"Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.

"But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. *

 

[baltobetsy]

I think I’ve heard this before somewhere, is there a link to it?

It came straight out of my head, possibly assisted by the Holy Spirit, possibly not! If the Holy Spirit did help me, perhaps He also helped someone else to tell you the same thing because it’s true.

Kitty Chan gave you excellent advice to let your yes be yes and your no be no.

Betsy

 

[S_V7]

Kitty Chan gave you excellent advice to** let your yes be yes and your no be no.**

a little hard to put into practice but I’m getting there