Affirmation (law)

In law, an affirmation is a solemn declaration allowed to those who conscientiously object to taking an oath. An affirmation has exactly the same legal effect as an oath but is usually taken to avoid the religious implications of an oath; it is thus legally binding but not considered a religious oath. Some religious adherents hold beliefs that allow them to make legally binding promises but forbid them to swear an oath before a deity. Additionally, an individual may decline to take a religious oath due to their personal beliefs or those of their audience. In some jurisdictions, an affirmation may be given only if a reason is provided.

A right to give an affirmation has existed in English law since the Quakers Act 1695 (An Act that the Solemne Affirmation & Declaration of the People called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an Oath in the usual Forme; 7 & 8 Will. 3 c. 34) was passed. The text of the affirmation was the following: "I A.B. do declare in the Presence of Almighty God the Witnesse of the Truth of what I say".^[1] The right to give an affirmation is now embodied in the Oaths Act 1978, c.19,^[2] which prescribes the following form: "I, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm" and then proceed with the words of the oath prescribed by law, omitting any words of imprecation or calling to witness.^[2]

It has its origins in the refusal of Quakers to swear any oath. This would otherwise have barred them from many public positions.^{[citation needed]} Quakers believe in speaking the truth at all times and so they consider the act of swearing to speak the truth only in court rather than in everyday life to imply double standards. As in James 5:12, they tried to "let your yea be yea and your nay be nay".^{[citation needed]}

The cause for such a right is exemplified in R v William Brayn (1678). William Brayn was charged with the theft of a horse from Quaker Ambros Galloway. Brayn pleaded "not guilty". One witness testified that the horse was owned by Ambros Galloway, and another witness said that he [probably Galloway] bought it from Brayn. As Galloway was a Quaker, he would not, "for conscience-sake", swear and so could give no testimony. The court directed the jury to find Brayn "not guilty" for want of evidence and committed the Quaker "as a concealer of Felony" for "refusing an Oath to Witness for the King".^[3]

Some Christians, who may not be Quakers, refuse to swear oaths, based on Matthew 5:34–5:37.

All elected members of parliament must make an oath or affirmation to the Crown before they can take their seats.^[4] MPs are asked which form they prefer to take with the statement "Swear or Affirm", meaning swear an oath or make an affirmation.^[5] The oath or affirmation must be made in English, after which it may also be made in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, or Cornish.^[4]

The original 1787 text of the Constitution of the United States makes three references to an "oath or affirmation": In Article I, senators must take a special oath or affirmation to convene as a tribunal for impeachment; in Article II, the president is required to take a specified oath or affirmation before entering office; and in Article VI, all state and federal officials must take an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution. Another reference appears in the Fourth Amendment, which specifies that all warrants must be supported by evidence given under oath or affirmation.

Though U.S. presidents are free to either swear or affirm the inaugural oath of office, only one president has chosen to affirm. The nation's 14th president, Franklin Pierce, affirmed the oath upon his March 4, 1853 inauguration, though his reasons for doing so are unclear. Some historians attribute Pierce's choice to his strong religious beliefs, while others postulate that Pierce interpreted the recent violent death of Pierce's young son as a punishment for his own sins.^[6]

• Performativity
• Matthew 5:34
• Oath (Christian tradition)
• Oath of Allegiance (United Kingdom)
• Oath of office of the president of the United States