Malcolm Lowell, Balzan
Moral consequences of taking false oath
I had written some months ago on the taking of the oath in our courts, expressing my view that not enough care is being taken to emphasise the real meaning and the grave moral consequences of taking false oath.
In the past weeks, following the election campaign for the European Parliament, the question of the taking of the oath has taken on a national importance.
I think I can do no better than quote Thomas More from the brilliant play (later film) by Robert Bolt, A Man for all Seasons. He is speaking to his daughter Margaret:
"When a man takes an oath, he's holding his own self in his own hands... like water. And if he opens his fingers then, he needn't hope to find himself again. Some men aren't capable of this but I'd be loathe to think your father one of them."
The taking of false oath before man is a serious matter and could result in a fine or worse - loss of a parliamentary seat, loss of people's respect and so on.
Compared with taking false oath before God, all this is as nothing.
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Charles Sammut
Jul 19th 2009, 16:03
@ Kurt Mifsud
I would classify myself as agnostic, I say that to put matters in perspective.
Unfortunately, I suspect that some people put their political career above their religion and above truth itself. For example I am morally convinced that a person who swore that he had lost his passport so that his non-residence in Malta could not be verified, did so not because he had truly lost it, but so that he could contest the elections.
Now, for all I know, he could have dropped his passport off the cliffs and when he was kissing the crucifix, he convinced himself that since his passport was now beyond finding, it was indeed lost and his oath was not false. He could then have gone to confession and cleared his conscience completely.
So, Mr Mifsud, to answer your question, personally, I would be inclined to believe an atheist or agnostic more.
Kurt Mifsud
Jul 19th 2009, 14:10
@Joseph Galea
As an atheist I will answer your question. We won't be asked to kiss a book but will be asked to give our word and promise to say the truth. If this has no moral value for you and you think that only being afraid of god can make you say the truth then you're the one who lacks morality. I ask you one question... Do priests (yes those persons who are illuminated by god to take that path) that are accused of paedophilia take false oaths?
@Charles Sammut
Being an ex-Azzjoni Kattolika president doesn't put anyone in a priviledged position to be believed more than an atheist like me. Or it does? I wouldn't be surprised to be discriminated once again in my life!
Robert Callus
Jul 19th 2009, 13:52
@Malcolm Lowell
I definitely agree with you about the moral implications. However some people don't care about any morality. Thus the emphasis should be on the LEGAL implications of taking a false oath.
@Joseph Galea
I'm agnostic, yet have never took a false oath. For me what you kiss; cross, bible or flag is just a symbol. I feel no moral obligation towards any material thing. However I feel a moral obligation towards my fellow citizens, and a legal obligation towards democracy.
Unforutantely some beg to differ. Then the law must take its course
Charles Sammut
Jul 19th 2009, 12:10
I am convinced that Dr Gonzi is in perfect agreement with the contents of this letter. Dr Gonzi, as ex -President of the Azzjoni Kattolika knows very well the moral implications of taking a false oath. He is also aware that swearing on half the truth is also a moral no-no and just as bad.
Dr Gonzi has always put his moral and religious convictions before political expediency, like for example in the case of illegal immigrants, and one would not expect him to change his principles now.
Joseph Galea
Jul 19th 2009, 10:34
What if someone who is taking an oath happens to be an atheist? I think there will be no moral issues becuase the oath itself as seen by him/her is pure fiction, as god only exist in the mind.
M. Zammit
Jul 19th 2009, 10:33
Well said Mr Lowell. If we take liberties with the truth then what is truth? Who can you trust? If oaths taken before a court of justice are not true then what hope do we have of justice?
I'm afraid to say that honesty is very hard to find these days and I believe it is all the fault of egoism, when what is important is not truth but that one achieves one's aims at all costs. And this is more so in politics which is so wrong.
But who is going to be honest first?