Is all lying mortal sin?

[Celtic_FC]

No, there are some lies that help keep other people from doing bad things.

 

[Moscati]

Let me clarify…I am a broker…I work on commissions, I do receive a modest draw against my commissions…but I am not a salary employee. I am not even required to be in the office per say…but I was dishonest about why I was absent. While in confession yesterday, I actually told the priest that I had been dishonest about why I wasn’t in the office today…and I had no intention or lying to my boss when asked…I was actually hoping the conversation about my day wouldn’t even come up…but I got caught of guard and when asked, I just blurted out a lie…and then after the initial lie, I made some supporting comments, which were also lies to make the first lie sound believable. I don’t know why…I was just scared…scared of being chastised, being fired…who knows…and I know it doesn’t make it right no matter what. So what you think?

I have a problem with this, too. It’s so hard, once you’ve said something not quite truthful, to keep from lying more just to support the first lie.

It’s seems to me that this really stems from a desire to be perceived a certain way. If you weren’t required to be in the office, why would it matter that you went to Mass instead of on sales calls? It has more to do with an improperly ordered desire for the approval of others than it does with the actual dishonesty–especially if no one was defrauded or harmed by your lie. I would say this one instance in not mortal sin, but it could become a bad pattern (it has for me in some parts of my life). Just my thoughts, of course.

 

[Ron_Conte]

No, there are some lies that help keep other people from doing bad things.

The good consequences of an act are not sufficient to cause the act to be moral.

 

[lilypadrees]

I think it was a priest I saw on TV who explained that we are only obligated to tell the truth to those who have a right to know the truth. Parents, teachers, managers at work, customers, and so forth, usually have a right to know the truth and we are morally obligated to tell them the truth.

It is my personal opinion that we should be honest with everyone we converse with. Even little white lies aren’t acceptable in God’s eyes.

 

[Brother_Grimace]

Any lie is a sin.

 

[Jimbo9889]

Catechism:

[2484](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/2484.htm’) 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.

So on two occasions I have lied, in light of the bad weather in Northeast here after the Hurricane I called out sick from work and I told my professors the same for school. I lied to my parents about not needing to go to school for one of the days that I could have gone to school. When people brought me back to this little act of deception I just continued on the lie so that way I didnt have to say, “I was just lazy, tired, and didnt want to go to work and class those days.”

Is this a mortal sin or a venial? I know I gave into the temptations of laziness and added a lie to it so I didnt have to do anything, but I felt this to be simply venial.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

No, all lying is NOT mortal sin, not at all. This is a point that needs to be made clear.

 

[lilypadrees]

To me, a lie is a lie even if it is a “little white lie” not meant to hurt anyone. It becomes a habit and easier to lie the next time and the nest and the next.

I’ve found it’s always better, tho not always easier, to tell the truth. Just be honest and let God take care of the rest.

Remember to confess that you lied the next time you go to Confession. Your conscience and soul will feel much better.

 

[JimG]

To me, a lie is a lie even if it is a “little white lie” not meant to hurt anyone. It becomes a habit and easier to lie the next time and the nest and the next.

I’ve found it’s always better, tho not always easier, to tell the truth. Just be honest and let God take care of the rest.

Remember to confess that you lied the next time you go to Confession. Your conscience and soul will feel much better.

Personally, when I greet someone with “hello, how are you?” I prefer to hear, “Just fine, thank you!” even if it’s a white lie, rather than to listen to a recitation of their most recent problems. In that case, the “lie” is a more charitable response, and it might even make them feel better.