Belief Matters: Why do we swear oaths on the Bible?

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Father Thapelo Masemola, Chaplain of St John's College and a priest in the Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg, about the longstanding tradition of swearing an oath on the Bible. From courtroom testimonies to presidential inaugurations, the ritual of placing a hand on a sacred text has long been associated with a promise to tell the truth. But where did this practice originate? Is it rooted in the Bible, or has it evolved into a cultural tradition? And in an increasingly diverse and secular society, does the religious oath still have a meaningful place in public life? 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja is broadcast live on Johannesburg based talk radio station 702 every weekday afternoon. Relebogile brings a lighter touch to some of the issues of the day as well as a mix of lifestyle topics and a peak into the worlds of entertainment and leisure.  Thank you for listening to a 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja podcast.  Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 13:00 to 15:00 (SA Time) to Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj  For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/2qKsEfu or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/DTykncj  Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc  Follow us on social media:  702 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.