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Lying
Jun 14, 2011 22:00:42 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jun 14, 2011 22:00:42 GMT -8
I'm surprised we've never had this convo before on the forums (I least I don't think we have)
When, if ever, is it morally justified (or even virtuous) to lie?
What do you think?
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Lying
Jun 15, 2011 8:38:06 GMT -8
Post by robin on Jun 15, 2011 8:38:06 GMT -8
It's difficult for me to justify lying in any case. However, concealing the truth to protect others may be justifiable.
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Lying
Jun 15, 2011 16:25:27 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jun 15, 2011 16:25:27 GMT -8
How is concealing the truth different than lying?
For instance, if you're hiding Jews and the Gestapo comes and asks you, "Are you hiding Jews?"
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Lying
Jun 16, 2011 7:21:00 GMT -8
Post by robin on Jun 16, 2011 7:21:00 GMT -8
The Gestapo has no right to an answer much less an honest one. I was considering the question to be on a more practical basis. Should we lie to our children, is of more consequence to me then what I would say to evil murderers looking to kill Innocent Jews. I may avoid answering a direct question from my children if they are not yet mature enough to discuss the topic.
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Lying
Jun 16, 2011 22:32:54 GMT -8
Post by stevekimes on Jun 16, 2011 22:32:54 GMT -8
Was it wrong for the midwives to lie to Pharaoh? Was it wrong for Rahab to lie to the soldiers? Both of these acts were commended by God (Rahab in James 2).
I think that lying for one's own benefit isn't right. But lying to protect others from being oppressed isn't wrong.
A great discussion of this in Corrie Ten Boom's book The Hiding Place.
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Lying
Jun 17, 2011 16:16:27 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jun 17, 2011 16:16:27 GMT -8
Does anyone recall that passage from C.S. Lewis where he says that the kid who is asked by the teacher in front of the class what his drunk father was doing the night before does the moral thing by lying? At the very least, lying is sometimes the lesser of two evils, but I think there may be occasions where it is a true act of love or mercy. Makes me think of that Terry Taylor line from Little, BIG: I told a little man to dayA little lie
About his little wig
It looked fake,
I said he looked great
It was just a little fib
'Cos a little love is what he needs
And that's big, BIG, big
Still, of course, the problem with even virtuous lying is that, like liquor, it's a strong drink to be used carefully. We should never underestimate our own ability to lie to ourselves about our lying  |
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Lying
Jun 17, 2011 17:58:17 GMT -8
Post by freebirdro on Jun 17, 2011 17:58:17 GMT -8
when I was in the army, I lied to the officer on duty so I can go to church. Am I gonna go to hell? I did feel bad about it later.
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Lying
Jun 21, 2011 20:42:56 GMT -8
Post by Josh on Jun 21, 2011 20:42:56 GMT -8
;D
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Lying
Jun 25, 2011 12:08:40 GMT -8
Post by happyvalleymom.HREdgren on Jun 25, 2011 12:08:40 GMT -8
Does anyone recall that passage from C.S. Lewis where he says that the kid who is asked by the teacher in front of the class what his drunk father was doing the night before does the moral thing by lying? At the very least, lying is sometimes the lesser of two evils, but I think there may be occasions where it is a true act of love or mercy. Makes me think of that Terry Taylor line from Little, BIG: I told a little man to dayA little lie
About his little wig
It looked fake,
I said he looked great
It was just a little fib
'Cos a little love is what he needs
And that's big, BIG, big
Still, of course, the problem with even virtuous lying is that, like liquor, it's a strong drink to be used carefully. We should never underestimate our own ability to lie to ourselves about our lying I agree! |
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