Is lying always wrong?

[patg]

So perhaps if I could summarize. The important thing here is not the flesh and blood innocent women standing before me, begging for help.

If I can help them, fine. But the really important thing is to ensure that I act to prevent even the slightest venial sin from sullying my own soul. I shall preserve my own spiritual purity, even at the cost of their lives.

I totally agree - it is perfectly moral and admirable to kill an attacker to protect a life but sinful to tell a lie to do the same thing? What perverted sense of morality is this?

 

[quasimodo]

I totally agree - it is perfectly moral and admirable to kill an attacker to protect a life but sinful to tell a lie to do the same thing? What perverted sense of morality is this?

It is the ulitmate example of watching out for Number 1:

“I shall preserve my own spiritual purity, even at the cost of their lives.”

Nice sentiment but it really misses the point of what it means to be Christian.

 

[valient_Lucy]

So, out of fear for God the midwives lied their heads off and God rewards them. Don’t try to split hairs that he rewarded them for fearing the Lord - He rewarded them because they showed their fear by lying. What other sins does God reward?

Rahab lied when she hid the Israelite spies from the people of Jericho. And God not only saved her life, but made her an anscestor of Jesus.
Just to add to the mix.

 

[patg]

It is the ulitmate example of watching out for Number 1:

“I shall preserve my own spiritual purity, even at the cost of their lives.”

Nice sentiment but it really misses the point of what it means to be Christian.

I believe Christians are allowed to kill someone to avoid being killed. Or do you not believe in “just” wars or in any form of self protection?

And if its not “Number 1”, its your wife or your child - I guess you wouldn’t watch out for them either…

 

[valient_Lucy]

I believe Christians are allowed to kill someone to avoid being killed. Or do you not believe in “just” wars or in any form of self protection?

And if its not “Number 1”, its your wife or your child - I guess you wouldn’t watch out for them either…

That’s a good point. If we are permitted to kill in some circumstances (such as war), are there ever circumstances where it may be permitted to lie?
Surely killing is a greater sin than lying, since we can make amends to the person we lied to, but we can never make amends to a person we murdered.
Is it morally acceptible to kill in order to stop someone from killing a family member? If so, then is it acceptible to lie to prevent someone from killing a family member?

 

[valient_Lucy]

Here’s another scenario to add to the discussion.
Supposing I am walking down the street, and a woman comes up to me and says, “Excues me. I am looking for Planned Parenthood, since I have a 2:30 appointment for an abortion. Do you know where it is?”
Know, let’s say I know exactly where Planned Parenthood is, since I drive by it every day. What should I do in that situation?

 

[Meggie]

Let’s say you are in somewhat mortal danger…bad situation such as hostage or an abusive situation.

If you know that the only way to get out is to blankly lie, such as “I will return” or “I didn’t tell someone about you”

Absoulte lie.

There is no life at stake but your own. And you’re not going to be killed just face torture…there could be another way out, in years…so

is it ok to lie?

 

[Orionthehunter]

lying is intrinsically evil and always immoral

one cannot redefine the term lying according to the object of the speech, such that it is a lie if it is to deceive or to do harm, and not a lie if it is to do something good, because intrinsically evil acts are always wrong regardless of the purpose, intention, or end. Redefining an intrinsically evil act according to its circumstances, intention, or end is necessarily a false definition because its morality is no longer intrinsic to the act itself.

If it is a lie, then it is wrong regardless of circumstance or intention or purpose.

You cannot lie to save lives, nor to save souls, nor even to redeem the whole world from Hell.

You can remain silent in many circumstances.
You can refrain from correcting some one else’s misunderstanding in some circumstances.
You can say some things that are true, but reserve other things that are true, if you have a grave reason.

If evil persons are searching for someone good, and they ask you if he is hiding in your house:

1. if he is not in the house, you can say he is not in the house, or you can remain silent
2. if he is in the house, you can remain silent
3. if he is in the garage, but they ask you if he is in the house, you can say he is not in the house (this is an example of mental reservation)
4. if he is in the house, you cannot lie and say that he is not in the house. That lie would certainly be a venial sin, and no circumstance or intention or goal can make it moral.

Ron Conte

I’m glad I will never have to trust you with my life or the lives of my wife or children or grandchildren. The people I value are those who understand the greater good vs. a sanctimonious concept of preserving their ownself to the detriment of those who trusted them.

 

[JimG]

It is the ulitmate example of watching out for Number 1:

“I shall preserve my own spiritual purity, even at the cost of their lives.”

Nice sentiment but it really misses the point of what it means to be Christian.

I entirely agree.

Please keep in mind that the quoted sentence was intended as irony.