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Objection 1: It would seem that an oath is not an act of religion,
or latria. Acts of religion are about holy and divine things. But
oaths are employed in connection with human disputes, as the Apostle
declares (Heb. 6:16). Therefore swearing is not an act of
religion or latria.
Objection 2: Further, it belongs to religion to give worship to
God, as Tully says (De Invent. Rhet. ii, 53). But he who
swears offers nothing to God, but calls God to be his witness.
Therefore swearing is not an act of religion or latria.
Objection 3: Further, the end of religion or latria is to show
reverence to God. But the end of an oath is not this, but rather the
confirmation of some assertion. Therefore swearing is not an act of
religion.
On the contrary, It is written (Dt. 6:13): "Thou shalt
fear the Lord thy God, and shalt serve Him only, and thou shalt
swear by His name." Now he speaks there of the servitude of
religion. Therefore swearing is an act of religion.
I answer that, As appears from what has been said above (Article
1), he that swears calls God to witness in confirmation of what he
says. Now nothing is confirmed save by what is more certain and more
powerful. Therefore in the very fact that a man swears by God, he
acknowledges God to be more powerful, by reason of His unfailing
truth and His universal knowledge; and thus in a way he shows
reverence to God. For this reason the Apostle says (Heb.
6:16) that "men swear by one greater than themselves," and
Jerome commenting on Mt. 5:34, says that "he who swears either
reveres or loves the person by whom he swears." The Philosopher,
too, states (Metaph. i, 3) that "to swear is to give very great
honor." Now to show reverence to God belongs to religion or latria.
wherefore it is evident that an oath is an act of religion or latria.
Reply to Objection 1: Two things may be observed in an oath. The
witness adduced, and this is Divine: and the thing witnessed to, or
that which makes it necessary to call the witness, and this is human.
Accordingly an oath belongs to religion by reason of the former, and
not of the latter.
Reply to Objection 2: In the very fact that a man takes God as
witness by way of an oath, he acknowledges Him to be greater: and
this pertains to the reverence and honor of God, so that he offers
something to God, namely, reverence and honor.
Reply to Objection 3: Whatsoever we do, we should do it in honor
of God: wherefore there is no hindrance, if by intending to assure a
man, we show reverence to God. For we ought so to perform our
actions in God's honor that they may conduce to our neighbor's good,
since God also works for His own glory and for our good.
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