A slight change of subject, but this thread has turned to something I've been thinking about lately, about swearing oaths and making affirmations -

“And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”

Is this not an oath? A pledge made before Divine Providence? If the question is inappropriate, please disregard or delete it.