What do American Idols, Presidents and Congressmen now have in common?  Swearing Oaths.

Pittsburgh, PA – Yesterday, on January 17, 2007, American Idol (FOX) aired Simon Cowell demanding a contestant to swear an oath on the contestant’s mother’s life.  

Earlier this month there was a significant debate when a United States Congressman Keith Ellison became the first person in Congress ever to take the ceremonial oath of office on the Koran, rather than the Christian Bible.  Apparently, all but two United States Presidents have sworn the oath of office.

Gregg Zegarelli, an attorney, and author of ONE, the Unified Gospel of Jesus (OUG Press.  $24.95), “We addressed the issue of oaths in our Newsletter released this week on our website at www.OUGPress.com.

According to Zegarelli, “Oaths are a fascinating subject.  Generally speaking, oaths call upon God to witness the truth of the statement, as well as to cause the condemnation if the oath is not fulfilled.  Oaths are distinguished from a simple ‘affirmation’ which is permissible for an oath of office in the United States.”

Zegarelli continues, “So many of us love American Idol.  The issue not really that a contestant swore on his mother’s life.  The issue focuses the point that commitments, promises and oaths are a very important part of social interaction, and we fail to give them proper weight, importance and contemplation in our society today.”  He says, “As I stated in our most recent ONE newsletter, I believe that Jesus taught not to take oaths because it is fundamentally presumptuous of us to think we can command God regarding a life or a soul.”

Following is the quotation from American Idol on January 17, 2007:

Simon: Is this serious?

Contestant: It is.

Contestant: Look me in the eyes and tell me that is serious.

Contestant: That is definitely serious.

Simon: Swear on your mother's life.

Contestant: I swear.

Simon: Go on.

Contestant: I swear.

Simon: Go on.

Contestant: I swear on my mothers life.

Simon: Swear on your mother's life what.

Contestant: I swear on my mother’s life that this is real.

Now, if the contestant was not telling the truth, what is the consequence?

Read more at http://www.ougpress.com/storefront/web/t-ONE_Newsletter1-1.aspx, or available in .pdf at http://www.ougpress.com/storefront/web/ONE_newsletters/ONE_Newsletter_1_1.pdf.