Perjury

[steve975]

I’ve read recently that perjury, as opposed to simply telling a lie, rises to the level of a mortal sin. Can anyone provide clarification as to when a lie rises to the level of perjury?

I’ve heard that perjury is when you specifically swear on the Bible and lie, but are there any other cases? Plus, I’ve also heard that you’re not supposed to swear on God’s name regardless, so it would be a sin whether you lied or not. Anyone?

 

[puzzleannie]

perjury specifically is lying under oath in a court of law, the most extreme example of lying as a mortal sin. the only thing worse would be lying in the course of a sacrament or religious vow, which would also be sacrilege. most civil courts no longer ask witnesses to swear by God’s name, or on a bible.

 

[steve975]

I’m aware that that’s the legal definition of perjury, but I was looking for the moral definition. For example, is there a difference between lying in a court of law when you have taken an oath on the Bible as opposed to a generic oath? And is there such a thing as perjury outside of a court of law, religiously speaking?

 

[Scottgun]

The closest CCC passage might be this:

2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.

Lying under oath (perjury)=grave injury to the virtues of justice in general. So it meets the first criteria of mortal sin: Grave matter.

 

[LilyM]

I’m aware that that’s the legal definition of perjury, but I was looking for the moral definition. For example, is there a difference between lying in a court of law when you have taken an oath on the Bible as opposed to a generic oath? And is there such a thing as perjury outside of a court of law, religiously speaking?

People make oaths in many different situations -

• doctors make an oath (the Hippocratic Oath),
• politicians and judges are ‘sworn in’,
• new citizens take an oath of citizenship,
• every statutory declaration in whatever circumstance is a statement made under oath,
• many other official forms will end with a statement declaring all the information contained therein to be true (one definition of ‘oath’, per Merriam-Webster, is “a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one’s words”, so it doesn’t have to USE the word ‘oath’ to be one)

So yes, although not all of the above are relevant in a court of law, breaking any of these would constitute the sin of perjury.

 

[rpp]

I’m aware that that’s the legal definition of perjury, but I was looking for the moral definition. For example, is there a difference between lying in a court of law when you have taken an oath on the Bible as opposed to a generic oath? And is there such a thing as perjury outside of a court of law, religiously speaking?

The legal definition of perjury is pretty much the same as the theological one. Anytime a person swears and oath to tell the truth, whether they invoke God or not, then lie, that is perjury.

What makes perjury is more serious than say a husband answering the “does this dress make me look fat?” query from his wife is that the perjury can lead to an injustice. In fact, the purpose of the lie is so enable an injustice. The answer the husband gives his wife is intended to avoid dishes being thrown at him or a night on the sofa.

 

[PacoG]

perjury specifically is lying under oath in a court of law, the most extreme example of lying as a mortal sin. the only thing worse would be lying in the course of a sacrament or religious vow, which would also be sacrilege. most civil courts no longer ask witnesses to swear by God’s name, or on a bible.

I have practiced law for 15 years. Every court I have practice before, state and federal, use some form the traditional oath. “Do you swear that the testimony you shall give shall be the truth, so help you God.” The same goes with the oaths that jurors take and the oath that attorneys take upon crossing the bar.

The oath that Attorneys in Texas take upon admission to the bar goes as follows:

I_____________________________do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States, and of this State; that I will honestly demean myself in the practice of the law, and
will discharge my duties to my clients to the best of my ability. So help me God.

I once had a discussion with my parish priest about whether being less than diligent on a client’s case was a mortal sin. He said in some cases it would be.

 

[Ruthie]

What makes it crystal clear to me is that it is a direct violation of the 8th commandment.

I suppose there can be mitigating circumstances for committing perjury that might reduce it to a venial sin, but (IMO) they’d have to be pretty severe.

Ruthie