A question about lies

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LeonardDeNoblac

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If we tell someone a lie about something of very little importance, with almost no practical harm to any person other than ourselves, are we still morally obliged to tell him/her the truth after repentance?
 
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The fact that you’re asking the question is the Holy Spirit in you saying yes.

but like you’re confession that’s between you and God.

but I still think God telling you yes
 
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A lie is a lie, white lies are just as bad as any other lies.
 
LeonardDeNoblac said:
with almost no practical harm to any person other than ourselves
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^^ This indicates to me that there was some harm done. A lie is always wrong as it is untrue and thus is sinful. Was it untrue and meant to mislead or deceive the other? If so, then it was a lie.

From the Catechism
IV. RESPECT FOR THE TRUTH

2488 The right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional. Everyone must conform his life to the Gospel precept of fraternal love. This requires us in concrete situations to judge whether or not it is appropriate to reveal the truth to someone who asks for it.

2489 Charity and respect for the truth should dictate the response to every request for information or communication . The good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not be known or for making use of a discreet language. The duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it.
 
No one is ever required to reveal their sins (mortal or venial) to anyone except their confessor.
 
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Timeflies2me said:
A lie is a lie, white lies are just as bad as any other lies.
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No. As with many sins, there degrees of seriousness with regards to offenses against truth.

A “white lie” to avoid minor inconvenience is likely a venial sin. If it can slide, it can slide.

A vicious calumny that permanently destroys a person’s good name (e.g. falsely calling an innocent person a child molester and getting him on the sex offender registry) is a mortal sin. This requires reparation.
 
CRV said:
This indicates to me that there was some harm done
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Sorry if this wasn’t clear, what I mean is that I can’t imagine any possible practical harm to anyone other than ourselves coming from such lies.
 
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Thank you for clarifying.
LeonardDeNoblac said:
I can’t imagine any possible practical harm to anyone other than ourselves coming from such lies.
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Just because we can’t imagine any harm, doesn’t meant there wasn’t any harm. So assuming I am now understanding your question properly we can see from the Catechsim -

2482 "A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving."281 The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil: "You are of your father the devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."282

2483 Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man’s relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord.

2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.

2485 By its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech, whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others. The deliberate intention of leading a neighbor into error by saying things contrary to the truth constitutes a failure in justice and charity. The culpability is greater when the intention of deceiving entails the risk of deadly consequences for those who are led astray.

2486 Since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another. It affects his ability to know, which is a condition of every judgment and decision. It contains the seed of discord and all consequent evils. Lying is destructive of society; it undermines trust among men and tears apart the fabric of social relationships.
 
No they are not. They are sinful, but to say all lies are equally bad is just bad moral theology.
 
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