W
Wulfgar
Guest
Hello, this is my first post. I was hoping it would be something spectacular, but I find it more important to attain necessary information first. Oh well.
At any rate, to lay foundation to the question, I participated in a mock trial run-through and as a witness was required to go through the standard “Do you swear to tell the truth…so help you God?” Being scrupulous in numerous areas of life (including religion), I was a bit worried at this but nonetheless said “I do”, trying to tell myself just to do my best even though I feared I may slip up. During questioning I was asked about vehicle damages and accidentally said a wrong measurement (I was also unsure about it; I forgot but said what I thought was right). What is worrying me is that later, I was asked something along the lines of “…and you said it was so-and-so cm long…”. The lawyer said a different measurement than what I had previously said, but in nervousness about the whole oath ordeal I tried to say something that wouldn’t be perjury, and instead responded “I believe so…”, which of course I didn’t, but being a mock trial run-through and not a real trial I was more concerned with getting past trivial details (the measurements themselves not appearing to be important) without frustration and confusion from the lawyers and others. Admittedly, I may also have been worried about personal standing. Had it been a real trial, I would certainly hope I’d spend extra time to bring forth the true evidence.
All in all, at the time I was in doubt about this, because it was a mock trial and thus more like acting (by the way, it’s a school activity, and has nothing to do with preparations for a real trial, etc. It’s entirely fictitious). However, perjury is perjury, so I still worry. So, to formulate an actual question, was this a mortal sin? Apologies for the long response… I want to reveal as much of my conscience as possible. If this seems ridiculous, forgive me.
At any rate, to lay foundation to the question, I participated in a mock trial run-through and as a witness was required to go through the standard “Do you swear to tell the truth…so help you God?” Being scrupulous in numerous areas of life (including religion), I was a bit worried at this but nonetheless said “I do”, trying to tell myself just to do my best even though I feared I may slip up. During questioning I was asked about vehicle damages and accidentally said a wrong measurement (I was also unsure about it; I forgot but said what I thought was right). What is worrying me is that later, I was asked something along the lines of “…and you said it was so-and-so cm long…”. The lawyer said a different measurement than what I had previously said, but in nervousness about the whole oath ordeal I tried to say something that wouldn’t be perjury, and instead responded “I believe so…”, which of course I didn’t, but being a mock trial run-through and not a real trial I was more concerned with getting past trivial details (the measurements themselves not appearing to be important) without frustration and confusion from the lawyers and others. Admittedly, I may also have been worried about personal standing. Had it been a real trial, I would certainly hope I’d spend extra time to bring forth the true evidence.
All in all, at the time I was in doubt about this, because it was a mock trial and thus more like acting (by the way, it’s a school activity, and has nothing to do with preparations for a real trial, etc. It’s entirely fictitious). However, perjury is perjury, so I still worry. So, to formulate an actual question, was this a mortal sin? Apologies for the long response… I want to reveal as much of my conscience as possible. If this seems ridiculous, forgive me.