A collection of excerpts containing chronologically issued answers to some of the questions submitted by individual believers and institutions

2/08/2018

Taking “an oath, if required, on any sacred book” - 20 September 20 1973

In reply to your letter of September 12th the Universal House of Justice asked us to refer you to a letter on this subject written on behalf of the beloved Guardian on July 11th, 1956 to your National Spiritual Assembly:

"Regarding taking oaths, there is nothing in the Teachings on this subject. As a Bahá'í is enjoined by Bahá'u'lláh to be truthful, he would express his truthfulness, no matter what the formality of the law in any local place required of him. There can be no objection to Bahá'ís conforming to the requirements of the law court whatsoever they may be in such matters, as in no case would they constitute in any way a denial of their own beliefs as Bahá'ís.”

The above decision makes it clear that Bahá'ís may take an oath, if required, on any sacred book. The Universal House of Justice considers that it may be preferable for them to do so on a Bahá'í book, if possible. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual of the United Kingdom, September 20, 1973; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)