The Oath Keeper — Villain or Valiant?
By Jon Watts
It has been proposed by various groups and individuals that an organization known as “Oath Keepers” is racist, seditious, hateful, and pernicious.
I’m here to tell you the real story.
I have been a member of Oath Keepers since August 2009. My member number is under 500. There are currently over 10,000 dues-paying members, and tens of thousands on their Facebook site. I have seen the inner workings since the early days as the acting Alaska State Chapter President — truly a view from the inside.
Let’s set aside the controversy for a moment and examine the term “Oath Keeper.” What does it really mean?
Webster’s dictionary defines an “oath” as “a solemn, usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says.” We might therefore infer that an oath “keeper” sincerely intends to keep his word from the moment of an initial oath forward.
For example, each newly elected member of Congress recites this oath:
I do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
One can compare this to the military oath of office.
Oath Keepers use a modified officer’s oath for several reasons: because veterans, even if they were once enlisted, are no longer under any orders, because civilians are not under orders, and because officers have always sworn only to defend the Constitution. Even when it comes to enlisted military, the oath is first and foremost to defend the Constitution; they are duty-bound to disobey any order that is not lawful. Further, it allows all participants, of whatever status, to join in together and reaffirm their official oath. If an enlisted man or officer wants to state the exact official oath that he swore upon entry into service, he can.
The sincere intent of any oath is contained within the words recited, as well as within the heart of the individual making the oath. To diverge from that specified intent would naturally put the person in the category of oath “breaker” rather than “keeper.”
The term “oath breaker” has been around since Old English was spoken. The term used in those times was “waerloga,” which also meant “damned soul,” “wicked person,” and even “Satan.” Suffice to say, an oath breaker was about the worst thing one could be back in the day. Punishments for oath breaking were of the spearing, hacking, or crushing variety — decidedly unpleasant. Interestingly, the word waerloga is also the origin of the word “warlock” in use today. History had fitting names and biblical consequences for those who broke an oath to the Almighty. Such oaths have long since faded in value to mere formalities today.
When it comes to our leaders’ constitutional oaths, how many of them are acting less like oath keepers, and more like those ancient, oath-breaking “warlocks”? Given the unrelenting torrent of legislative blasphemies, the answer is clear.
Another question begs asking. Who would these oath breakers and their media homunculi find offensive? The answer is likewise obvious: their polar opposites, those who are truly loyal in oath and deed to our dear Republic and its Constitution.
Continue reading at The American Thinker
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September 1st, 2010 at 6:32 pm
im sure if im understanding this right that is upto oathkeepers site to what an oathkeeper is and to define that even further, or even judge on what an oathkeeper is? dunno seem like ok is selling out. i know this will prob be removed but just what i read into it, should it be read that far into it?
September 6th, 2010 at 2:28 am
whaat steve? i can haz has no effort for use english language proper? lolz!
September 6th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Steve,
An Oath Keeper is one who takes an Oath, then honors that Oath. In this case, the Oath referenced is the Oath “to support and defend the Constitution.” In order to honor that Oath, the Oath taker must have an understanding of the ideals of the Constitution, and take no actions contrary to the Oath.
I have no idea what you mean by “selling out”. If you can provide an example of what made you think that, please post it here, and I will try to address your concerns.
We don’t remove comments questioning our mission. We view those as opportunities to spread our message and correct any misperceptions.
September 26th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
to my fellow vets….
when you were sworn into service, you signed a contract, swore an oath to uphold and defend the constitution from all enemies, forign and domestic.
when you were released from active duty, you were released from your contract (see your dd-214)…
but were you ever released, either veberaly, or in writting, from your oath?? i was not, and so am still bound by it.
thank you for standing with me in upholding that oath.
September 28th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Gentlemen/Ladies;
June 26 1974 I took the oath when I joind the Air Force. I fully expected to at some point in time go into battle in my function as an F4 WCS Mechanic. That never happened, got close during the “Tree Trimming Incident” in Korea, where I was stationed at the time. It was then that I saw my first glimmerings of an “Oath Breaker” as one I served with started whining about possibly going into combat. I come from a family where all males have served honorably and that was the first and tankfully the last time I was exposed to cowardice. I gladly would have done my duty and I still have not forgotten my Oath. With the initiation of the 912 Project, that oath and the feeling that others felt the Constitution was worth defending was reaffirmed and has been going strong ever since. Freedom is not free, the cost is eternal vigilance. God Bless America!
October 12th, 2010 at 10:32 am
As an inactive officer, an LTC in the Army Medical Corps, I have been given to understand that officers of our Armed Forces do not retire unless they resign their commissions. We are “inactive” and can be called up to serve our country at any time. Individual issues would be considered of course. If any officer Oath Keepers member thinks otherwise, I would be glad to hear the reason.
LTC Anne Fesler-Butts MD
December 11th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
If the SPLC, the ADL, Mother Jones and the NAACP are vilifying the Oathkeepers, this former Marinee can’t wait to join!