Would these scenarios be a sin?

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Scenario 1: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Jewish fellows house. This person has no Jewish relics because he is afraid of being caught and killed. This Nazi Soldier marched into the room the Jewish guy was in and asked “Are you Jewish?” He said “No” because he feared for his life even though he is. Would that be considered a sin?

Scenario 2: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Christian fellows house. This fellow however, was hiding Jewish people in his attic. The Nazi soldier asked, “Are you hiding any Jews?” The fellow said “No” because he feared for his life and the life of his Jewish friends. Would that be considered a sin?

Just pondering questions I have.
 
No and no. Lying is depriving information from those who have a right to the information, not simply making a false statement.
 
Your questions is not about sin but of virtue. Is it better to protect innocent lives whose only crime is their religion, or to be a good German citizen and uphold the State? Would you protect your own family or hand them over to anyone who comes to your door? Think God knows which is the bigger sin, a lie to protect lives or to serve the one’s who will destroy innocent life. Yes sin is sin, but I know our forgiving Lord knows to what degree our sins will be forgiven or punished.
 
Scenario 1: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Jewish fellows house. This person has no Jewish relics because he is afraid of being caught and killed. This Nazi Soldier marched into the room the Jewish guy was in and asked “Are you Jewish?” He said “No” because he feared for his life even though he is. Would that be considered a sin?
That’s exactly what the books of 1 and 2 Maccabbes are about.

Alexander the Great tried to hellenize the world, to unite everyone under one culture, language and religion. And many of the Jews went along, selling out Israel’s identity as the chosen son of God. Many under threat of death denied their JJewish identity to the point of reversing their circumcision.

They covered over the mark of their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant (1 Maccabbees 1:15)

It’s true, they actually had circumcision reversal operations. And the result?

And there was great mourning for Israel, in every place where they dwelt, and the rulers and the elders groaned. Virgins and young men languished, and the beauty of the women was disfigured. Every bridegroom took up lamentation, she who sat in the bridal chamber mourned, And the land was shaken on account of its inhabitants, and all the house of Jacob was covered with shame. Two years later, the king sent the Mysian commander to the cities of Judah, and he came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He spoke to them deceitfully in peaceful terms, and won their trust. Then he attacked the city suddenly, in a great onslaught, and destroyed many of the people in Israel. He plundered the city and set fire to it, demolished its houses and its surrounding walls, took captive the women and children, and seized the cattle. (1 Maccabees 1:25-32)
The scenario described is exactly what Adam did. He didn’t trust God. It’s exactly what Israel did in the desert when they demanded meat and built a golden calf. It’s exactly what Israel did when they allied with foreign kings and took their daughters as wives. It’s exactly what those who covered up their curcumcision did. They didn’t trust God.

I would say it is a sin. I don’t know that I would have enough trust in God to refuse to renouce Christ if someone put a gun to my head and told me to do so. I tell ya what though, whether I renouce Christ or get a bullet in the head, either way I’m gonna die.

-Tim-
 
Scenario 1: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Jewish fellows house. This person has no Jewish relics because he is afraid of being caught and killed. This Nazi Soldier marched into the room the Jewish guy was in and asked “Are you Jewish?” He said “No” because he feared for his life even though he is. Would that be considered a sin?

Scenario 2: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Christian fellows house. This fellow however, was hiding Jewish people in his attic. The Nazi soldier asked, “Are you hiding any Jews?” The fellow said “No” because he feared for his life and the life of his Jewish friends. Would that be considered a sin?

Just pondering questions I have.
From a Jewish perspective, the principle of the sanctity of life and our responsibility to our fellow man outweigh and are an exception to the prohibition of lying. In this case, again from the Jewish perspective, the person is obligated to uphold the sanctity of life and to not reveal his identity or the hiding place of the Jews. The sin would be in telling the Nazi soldier the truth, knowing that this would lead to murder of the people involved by the Nazi.
(there is an additional principle of self defense or Din Rodef here - which I didn’t discuss as I believe you were interested in the sanctity of life vs. lying issue).
 
Scenario 1: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Jewish fellows house. This person has no Jewish relics because he is afraid of being caught and killed. This Nazi Soldier marched into the room the Jewish guy was in and asked “Are you Jewish?” He said “No” because he feared for his life even though he is. Would that be considered a sin?

Scenario 2: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Christian fellows house. This fellow however, was hiding Jewish people in his attic. The Nazi soldier asked, “Are you hiding any Jews?” The fellow said “No” because he feared for his life and the life of his Jewish friends. Would that be considered a sin?

Just pondering questions I have.
NOT AGAIN PLEASE!!!
Did you not do a search?
There are dozens of threads already on this subject. We don’t need another.
Sorry if this sounds abrasive.
 
Scenario 1: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Jewish fellows house. This person has no Jewish relics because he is afraid of being caught and killed. This Nazi Soldier marched into the room the Jewish guy was in and asked “Are you Jewish?” He said “No” because he feared for his life even though he is. Would that be considered a sin?
If he was using mental reservation, no.
Scenario 2: Its WWII and Nazi Germany just barged into this Christian fellows house. This fellow however, was hiding Jewish people in his attic. The Nazi soldier asked, “Are you hiding any Jews?” The fellow said “No” because he feared for his life and the life of his Jewish friends. Would that be considered a sin?
If he was using mental reservation, no.
 
No and no. Lying is depriving information from those who have a right to the information, not simply making a false statement.
Common misunderstanding. The CCC used to state that it was only lying if someone had a “right to know” they removed it in the Edito Typica version. I have heard conflicting reports on exactly what that means, but suffice to say that “right to know” can no longer be used to justify telling a falsehood. Apparently, it never could, and it was only a bad translation from the CCC that allowed it. A bad translation that Pope JPII was quick to correct.

There are some links to useful information outlining the difference in this thread:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=534290

Bottom line: You cannot lie, EVEN if the person you are lying to does not have a right to know. Or at least, if you choose to do so, the CCC no longer backs you up.
 
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