I know what it means, but what does it really MEAN to swear an oath on or by something?

Well if I say I swear on my children’s health and I don’t do what I’ve sworn, their health is supposed to deteriorate. Thus, because I don’t want this (completely arbitrary, non-sensical) thing to happen, I will do what I’ve sworn.

Dunno. It mostly depends how much the other person tries to make you see he really means it.
Where I come from a man’s word is as good as any oath so if he gives you his word it’s like giving you a written paper signed by both parties.

They’re only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away. Good question, @Jeruba—I’m only as good as my word. And if I have to elevate my word by using stage props (the Bible) or by invoking the good names of my children, parents, pets, whatever, then my “word” wasn’t much to begin with. It means that we have contrived a hierarchy of “I really mean it this time” that essentially renders all oaths meaningless. I swear on my mother’s Bible.

Without the obvious implication of greater importance/gravitas, it means only what your actions define it as.

@Jeruba, the way I have understood it is that the constitutions of North America were anchored in Christian roots: for example “In God We Trust” and that much blood has been shed to make freedom on this continent our living reality pre 1776 and of course the regrettable Civil War after. So in this context when we say “so help me God” when we swear an oath with our hand on the Christian Bible, we are saying “God deal with me if I am lying.” Now if one doesn’t believe in big G God, there is an issue within their own heart to reconcile as to whether they really mean it or not, but this is still required in courts of law before taking the stand, isn’t it?

You have raised a most interesting question, Jeruba, as it seems all foundations everywhere are being rocked. Perhaps this will be subject to change in the future if there is enough deterioration of the founding principles.

As a footnote, there is Christian Bible scripture inscribed into the foundation stones of the our House of Parliament in Ottawa and I do believe provincial legislature also.

@smilingheart1, thanks for your comments. I deliberately did not ask about “so help me God” because I can understand that literally: it is a prayer, a request for aid from above to help one fulfill one’s oath.

Here I am asking not what social import we attach to the act of swearing an oath on or by something but what it is we are actually saying when we say this. Belief is irrelevant to my question. I am asking “If we express this in other words, what are those words?”

It could be that it sounds odd because most people in contemporary times use the phrase figuratively. When one says “I swear on my mother’s grave” they usually don’t physically place their hand on the grave and recite a swear. A long time ago (at least from the literature I have read – I am no historian), it was not uncommon to swear on objects to make actual oaths. For example, someone who said “I swear by the sword of my ancestors” may brandish their sword to show a tangible connection to the oath they were pledging. This is still kept by some people when they swear on a Bible.

Now when people say make such swears or oaths, it seems like more like they are saying “I really, really, really, really mean what I am saying.”

Yes, @muppetish, I agree that it’s more symbolic than otherwise. But here’s what I’m getting at: when I say “I swear on my mother’s grave,” what am I saying?

Am I saying that if I break my oath, she will be more dead? or her grave will be defiled?
Am I saying that my departed mother’s spirit will be held hostage to my word?
Am I saying that my departed mother’s spirit will support and aid me in fulfilling my pledge?
Am I saying that if I break my vow, I will be as dead as she?

What does the oath literally mean? and hence how does it lend strength to what we swear?

Doesn’t anyone understand my question? If you do, please help me restate it so it comes across to those who are trying to answer it.

@jeruba, the old British movies would say “as my soul liveth” meaning “on my life”

And what does that actually mean, @smilingheart1? that your life is forfeit if you break your oath?

To me, if someone swears on something, like their children or mothers grave, they put the person in jeopardy if they are lying. So, essentially it is to convey the person is really telling the truth whether it be a promise, or a statement of fact regarding the past, etc.

Swearing an oath to God for at least some people who are religious probably carries more weight that taking an oath without God in there. Especially if they fear God wrath. I think, but I am not sure, that thiests can raioanlize lying and ask for God’s forgiveness, but if lying while using God’s name that would seem more difficult to me to get forgiveness. But, that is partly conjecture on my part.

For those who are not religious taking an oath with God would have no more impact than simply saying an oath without. In fact, the athiest might be offended. Athiests would believe that their word is enough. That failing to keep a promise or live up to the expectations of the oath is a personal failure. Would show a lack of integrity. Not that a religious person does not care about their word or integrity, of course they can also, as much as an athiest. But, some thiests seem to function on answering to and being controlled by outside forces, while most athiests function in terms of internal forces.

I believe that this video is in order. =)