Issue:The Manatt-Coke enquiry - Swearing does not guarantee truth
Published:Saturday | February 26, 2011 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Each witness taking the stand in the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry holds the Bible in his/her hand and repeats the words, "I swear by Almighty God to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." I think this is very unfortunate, for a number of reasons.
First, the very Bible that is being sworn on speaks against the practice of swearing. There was a tradition of swearing by God's name in the Old Testament with the condition that if one swears, his/her testimony should be truthful (Leviticus 19:12).
The teaching of Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament, goes beyond this and states clearly that a person should not swear at all but should be truthful at all times (Matthew 5:34-37). The practice, therefore, of swearing by the God of the Bible, without consideration for what the Bible says about swearing, is unfortunate.
Second, it is unfortunate that in a society where there are so many different religious beliefs, that the holy scriptures of one religion is lifted up above the holy scriptures of all others. I am a Christian, and unashamedly so, but objective consideration must be given to persons who do not share the Christian faith, including persons who are atheists.
Third, there has been so much obfuscation, contradictions within and between testimonies, and the outright incredulity of some statements, that mockery is made of a sworn statement to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
freedom to choose
Even if persons have the freedom to choose whether or not they swear by the Bible, or any at all, they may not be inclined to avoid being sworn in, as to do so may be interpreted as trying to relieve themselves of the burden of lying while under oath.
I suggest that the commissioners make it a matter of practice, from this point forward, that no one will swear but make a statement of affirmation that he/she will tell the truth. If this is not adopted, I hope the other witnesses to come will have the courage to say, "I do not wish to swear but I will be telling the truth," and mean it.
I am, etc.,
GARY GARDINER (Rev)
Kingston 3