The oath reads "I swear (or affirm) ... " What does that mean? Do we have to recite "I swear or affirm"? or do we have to pick one of the words? Who picks it, the judge, the oath-taker? Is there a difference? What happens if I pick the wrong one? Am I panicking for no reason?
Oath question: swear, affirm, or swear or affirm?
- Thread starter isilrion
- Start date
isilrion said:
Swear if your (religion/value system) allows you to do so. Affirm otherwise. Choose whatever you want.
asaif said:
That's not how it was explained at my husband's citizenship ceremony by the judge. It was explained like this: Those who were becoming citizens had to "swear". Those of us who were already Canadian citizens and were just there to watch (like me) had the option to say the oath with the new citizens and "afirm".
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/cit/ceremony/oath.asp
Allegiance to the Queen
In Canada, the Queen is our Head of State; therefore, all applicants for citizenship 14 years of age or older must swear or affirm to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors in order to become citizens.
The option to swear or affirm must be announced to the candidates, either during the preamble or immediately before the administration of the oath.
Allegiance to the Queen
In Canada, the Queen is our Head of State; therefore, all applicants for citizenship 14 years of age or older must swear or affirm to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors in order to become citizens.
- Swearing accommodates those who wish to refer to their religious beliefs in the context of the citizenship ceremony.
- Affirmation is intended to accommodate those who do not wish to use a holy book during a citizenship ceremony; instead, they make a solemn declaration without reference to any religious text.
The option to swear or affirm must be announced to the candidates, either during the preamble or immediately before the administration of the oath.
Thank you. If the judge (or some other officer) is required to inform us of this, that's great, I can just follow her instructions. I was only vaguely aware that "swearing" had a religious meaning for some people.
Thank you for the link. I think that's clear now. Btw, the "speaking points" section explain scylla's confusion (or the judge's misstatement, whatever the case might be), because it mentions "swearing" for the oath-takers and "reaffirming" for their guests.
Thank you for the link. I think that's clear now. Btw, the "speaking points" section explain scylla's confusion (or the judge's misstatement, whatever the case might be), because it mentions "swearing" for the oath-takers and "reaffirming" for their guests.
