Have you ever taken a solemn vow?

I don't know

I like the cuss a lot option!

ive vowed to never look at another man again....WHOOPS!! too late!

I've sworn in court (I also cussed in court, but only very quietly), taken a wedding vow, and made a spiritual vow to myself when I "took the precepts."

This all came to mind reading the LOTR trilogy again and noticing the role that sacred and solemn vows play in epic tales. A character is faced with what could be a really tough choice, but they have made a vow, so they stick to that (or don't) and face the consequences. It's become an interesting topic to me- the role that this sort of commitment plays in the every day lives.

Not anything that counts according to the explanation.

professional oath and spiritual vow/oath.

I had to swear allegiance as a Brownie then again as a Guide - but both times I knew that I was lying because part of the oath was to God and another was to the Queen - both things I didn't (and still don't) believe in.

I think the Brownie one went something like this:

"I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God
To serve the Queen
And to help other people
And to keep the Brownie Guide law."

I was 7 when I said that - I learned it for weeks in advance, that's why I still remember it over 11 years later.

The only *solemn* vows I've ever made were to myself over personal things. The other week I promised myself I wouldn't use SC for a week because of how much work I had to do - I didn't. When I make those kinds of promises I tend to stick to them.

I've taken vows in court, both as a juror and a witness.

I had totally forgotten about the vows for Brownies/Girl Scouts and I know we took them.

I can't remember the Guides one at all - strange that I remember the Brownie one so well!

I don't remember the words so much as I remember taking a vow or pledge of some kind.

When I pledged my alliegance I meant it. Otherwise I wouldn't say it, and there's a law you can't force kids into doing it if they don't want to.

*kissing your feet* Sam?

*smile* Not just Sam, though obviously his "I made a promise" speech is really moving. I was thinking, later, in Two Towers, that Aragorn promises Boromir before he dies that he'll protect Minas Tirith, which helps him in his struggle to accept his destiny- after that he is more and more willing to grow into his kingship; and when he meets Eomer, he promises to come see the Rohirrim king as soon as he has found the lost hobbits, and to return the horses. Because Eomer trusts his word, he lets him go. Gollum, even, struggles back and forth with himself. He makes promises to Frodo and then has to work hard to justify to himself breaking them. The fact that Gandalf didn't show up to meet Frodo in the Shire before he left (or in Bree in the film version) is a big deal because he's never missed an appointed date before (and he's something like 1500 years old!)

So, anyway, all this got me thinking about the "back doors" that we build into our promises -I know I say, all the time, "I'll do it if I can," or "if I remember," "if you send me email and remind me", or how we have to leave a form of ID to get a key to the bathroom at the local food coop (in contrast to being lent two fast horses on one's word of honor).

I made a vow to myself never to use drugs or alcohol again.

wedding, jury duty, and some unspoken spiritual stuff. I wouldn't call any of it solemn though. Probably the worst was long ago when my housemate and I tried to quit smoking with a pact that the devil would take either of us who resumed smoking; there was a clause that we could nullify it by mutual agreement which we did within a couple hours.

sure

wedding vow

In front of the police not to say any lie (I broke it).

NO. Sorry

I do not fudging swear, gosh darn it!!!!

Wedding vows, confirmation vows, and the promises that church members make every time a child is baptised at our church. I don't think I've made any vows that aren't connected with my faith.

Don't worry, I remember that silly Brownie Guide thing and it's 20 years since I was in Brownies!!

I've made a wedding vow

I've made a religious vow.

I've sworn in a court of law, I say the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States, I've taken religious vows, I took a solemn vow when I was inducted into the Order of the Eastern Star.

I've sworn to tell the truth in court but didn't. I swear (that's cuss, Jimbob) like a warfie too. I also vowed never to allow anyone into my home and haven't for 4 years.

Why would you make a vow like that?

I don't like letting people see my stuff. It's part of keeping who I am seperate from those I know.

It's two way; It also stops you from evolving. Like I said in the previous 'kids' comment, hang out with views that intrigue you, and exchange. ..unless you 'want' to be a museum footnote.

I don't want to let people see who I am through the things I keep and enjoy. That doesn't stop other people 'oozing' through the cracks in the wall. I get people at work who bring CD's and DVD's for me to enjoy. I don't ask for them but I usually do borrow them.

That's something. I check out videos and realize they represent the essence of a person I just met. Undersanding another person's position well enough to adopt the virtues you find in it usually entails something akin to arguing your own position as a base reference of departure. Otherwise one can easily presume they have quirks in what you thought was more of your own world-view, when in fact on deeper comparison you'll find they have a different worldview in which the quirks actually make sense. Moreover, I think an actual psychic exchange of energy occurs when you give yourself as well as are receptive.

I guess I'm paranoid about how people will see me if I let them see more than I do now.

You're paranoid about letting yourself see yourself laugh, unless you're worried what God would think or something.

No, I'm paranoid about letting people into my home in case they see aspects of my personality they don't like.

You said that already. I'm suggesting that of course you wouldn't others to see you, if you're even embarrassed to laugh alone in the house.

I made a solemn vow to myself to not let myself fall in love again

ya..wanna hear the world's biggest lie.. i never fudging swear!!!LOL!!!!

Afraid you might turn into a prince and miss your amphibious buddies?

Don't fudging say that fudging word. It's not fudging nice.

Nope.