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Questions & Answers

Swearing

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Spiritual Life › Swearing

The question

I have a question regarding the swearing of oaths as mentioned by our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount (5:33) and in the epistle of St. James chapter 5. Why are they forbidden? How would the church view a modern day witness in a court of law swearing to tell the truth before he gives his testimony?

The answer

The Holy Bible teaches us "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' for whatever is more than these is from the evil one" (Mt 5:37). In the court of law they do accept the term 'I affirm' instead of I swear. Originally the courts would ask the person to swear by the Holy Bible; nowadays this practice is no longer required. People just lift their right hand and swear or affirm.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 982 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.