Oaths are a serious business. Sworn in the presence or in the name of a deity, they are binding - the only release from an oath made is by suing Genesis, the god of time to be absolved of it, and the penance for an oath-breaker is grave indeed. Enter into an oath with a deity, or in the name of a deity in only the most serious of circumstances and be sure of the repercussions. You are never obliged to swear an oath before or in the name of a deity - your soul is your own, until you choose to surrender it. The Gods will protect your right to abstain, should you wish to exercise it.