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Oath in the name of religion cannot be verified

NU Online  ·  Sabtu, 7 November 2009 | 07:12 WIB

Yogyakarta, NU Online
The use of the oath in the name of religion by a person could not be verified to determine the seriousness of what he/she says, said Executive Director of Religious Studies and Cross-Cultural Program of University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), Dr Zainal Abidin Bagir.

"Therefore, the oath in the name of religion taken by non-active Kabareskim Susno Duadji before the Commission III of the House Thursday (5 / 11) night should not be conducted," he said in Yogyakarta on Friday.<>

As for him, actually the most important thing was that Susno Duadji should not avoid from legal process. Thus, the legal process  against Susno would be in accordance with laws and regulations.

"If the oath in the name of religion is taken merely for psychological aspects, before the law it is not nothing. Habits of taking oath are often conducted to strengthen conviction, but it can not fully be verified," he said.

However, he said, there was no a certain rule that should be embraced by those involving themselves in legal cases to take the oath in the name of religion. To deal with whether the oath is appropriate to take or not  was the authority of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

He said the use of the oath in the name of religion was usually conducted in several countries, especially in inaugurating state officials such as the inauguration of president and prime minister.

Meanwhile, researcher of the UGM's Religious Studies and Cross-Cultural Program Suhadi Cholil said that state officials involved in such cases should not take oath by religious narrative, but using the legal narrative. (mkf)