Ask RM a Question

[Jorge]

In a game, would you have any discomfort whatsoever falsely "swearing on" a loved one's life?

My sister and I were watching a reality competition show where one contestant was trying to hide a secret. At one point the contestant said something like "I swear on my father’s life, it isn’t true." He was lying, but the lie helped him win a million dollars.

My sister was genuinely shocked and said "He swore on his father’s life! You don’t do that." I was a bit confused because my thought was: swearing on someone’s life doesn’t actually do anything. It's just words, with no magic powers. It doesn’t endanger the person.

I've asked a few people about this since and have been surprised by the range of reactions. Of course it's verboten for religious folks, but even for some people that aren't religious/superstitious seem to feel uncomfortable with this, like something MIGHT happen, or like it's inherently gross.

So I’m curious: in this situation would you personally feel any lingering discomfort about falsely swearing on a loved one’s life or would you see it as no different from any other strategic lie?

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I’m not comfortable doing it, and probably wouldn’t, but I also wouldn’t hold it against someone saying it. Or necessarily believe they’re being truthful.

[spike]

You shouldn’t swear.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Cross my heart and hope to die.

Please, kill me.

[The Argonaut]

Dedicated atheist with a strong anti-belief in any woo-woo stuff and a tendency to lie maybe more than I should over here, and the idea of swearing on my mother's life makes me very uncomfortable. Seems callous and could actually hurt her feelings if she knew

[Peeps]

I swear on Lenny's life I have never done this

[Jorge]

Dedicated atheist with a strong anti-belief in any woo-woo stuff and a tendency to lie maybe more than I should over here, and the idea of swearing on my mother's life makes me very uncomfortable. Seems callous and could actually hurt her feelings if she knew

Suppose she would never find out. Where do you think the discomfort comes from?

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I swear on Lenny's life I have never done this

As your dad I thank you for this

[BurtReynolds]

Sacred oaths are not to be taken lightly.

[The Argonaut]

Dedicated atheist with a strong anti-belief in any woo-woo stuff and a tendency to lie maybe more than I should over here, and the idea of swearing on my mother's life makes me very uncomfortable. Seems callous and could actually hurt her feelings if she knew

Suppose she would never find out. Where do you think the discomfort comes from?

Like Burt said, is nothing sacred. If I lie and cheat and steal, that sin is on me. Leave my innocent mother out of it. But, really, though, if I am found out in the lie, anyone would think less of me for swearing on my mother. They would think I don't love and value her

[Jorge]

So it's related to the possible social consequences, not something inherent to the act itself?

[Dev]

Probably most people recognize that these promises don't have real world implications but I think most people take these types of "I swear on my mother" statements somewhat seriously. It would be cool to get the numbers.

[Dev]

Ask RM: is LVC actually a new poster or did he have a past account under a different username?

[lennytheweedwhacker]

lvc is Mitchell

[wease]

Do I want brown butter pecan or lemon ice box pie ice cream

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Do I want brown butter pecan or lemon ice box pie ice cream

Okra

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Approximately how many times have you used a pay phone?

[BurtReynolds]

Whatever that number is, I'm pretty sure it will remain the same for the rest of my life.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

Whatever that number is, I'm pretty sure it will remain the same for the rest of my life.

Sure now answer the fucking question

[BurtReynolds]

11