Reusken, Isis
(2025)
Sworn To The Sacred: How the performance of the ritual oath “Zo waarlijk helpe mij God almachtig” conveys religious meaning into a secular space.
Bachelor thesis, Bachelor Religiewetenschappen.
Abstract
This bachelor’s thesis examines the ritual oath “Zo waarlijk helpe mij God almachtig”
that is uttered by Dutch ministers and secretaries of state when they are sworn in. Dutch
politics is secular, and yet politicians can swear on God that they will be an honest
officer. So this study was carried out to better understand how religious meaning is
conveyed when ministers and secretaries of state take the oath. This research was
conducted by observing videos of the past three swearing-in ceremonies, an interview
with a former Minister who was part of the ritual, and a literature study. This research
will explain what verbal and non-verbal elements are present during the ritual of the
swearing-in ceremony, what the role of the space is in which the ritual takes place, and
how religious meaning can be transferred during the performance of a ritual. This
knowledge will be applied to the ritual performances of the oath that are observed. The
most important conclusion of this study includes how performative speech acts, such
as the ritual oath, convey religious meaning into a secular space. Furthermore, this
thesis suggests future considerations for related studies.
| Type: |
Thesis
(Bachelor)
|
| Supervisors (RUG): |
| Supervisor | E-mail | Tutor organization | Tutor email |
|---|
| Tarusarira, J. | | Faculteit GGW, Religiewetenschap | J.Tarusarira@rug.nl | | Mucciarelli, E. | | Faculteit GGW, Faculteit Godgeleerdheid en Godsdienstwetenschap | e.mucciarelli@rug.nl |
|
| Degree programme: |
Bachelor Religiewetenschappen |
| Academic year: |
2024-2025 |
| Date of delivery: |
03 Feb 2026 10:48 |
| Last modified: |
03 Feb 2026 10:48 |
| URI: |
https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/859 |
Actions (requires login)
 |
View Item |
