To tell truth is always necessary?
By bhanusb
@bhanusb (5709)
India
January 9, 2009 10:48am CST
All religions teach not to tell a lie.Always tell the truth.In Buddhism the first promise is:'I Shall be restrained from telling lie'If one lie save one's life is it wrong or sin? Suppose one killer is searching a person to kill him..I know where that person hided.The killer asks me where he is.I tell him I don't know.Thus the person saved.Is this untruth statament of mine is a sin?
3 people like this
6 responses
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
10 Jan 09
Telling a lie is always wrong. However, telling a lie to prevent a greater wrong may not always be sinful. If telling the truth would cause some greater harm, then you would be sinning by doing that. However, that doesn't make being untruthful right. Lies are wrong. They tear apart the basic fabric of human communication. We have to trust that what other people say is true, otherwise there can be no meaningful communication. But sometimes a situation calls for doing something wrong to prevent greater wrongs. It's not an easy call to make all the time. But it's a slippery slope when we start allowing ourselves to think that lying is something that can be done whenever WE think it's necessary.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
11 Jan 09
it's really all about your intent and what is in your heart that matters. If in your heart you lie to decieve and for self-gain....it is wrong. whatever you do for the sake of love and caring for another human being ....it can only be right. It is the love in your heart that is going to matter in the end.
2 people like this
@saichandtalluri (1486)
• India
22 Jan 09
I DON'T think to tell the truth every time is not correct. Moreover we feel bored telling the truth everytime so its better to lie sometimes but in serious situations it is not correct to lie.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
9 Jan 09
I am sorry, I think your premise is wrong, Christianity does not teach not to lie but not to bear false witness against..., a subtle difference.
There are times, as the example you note, when not only is it permissible to lie but required.
all the best urban
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
11 Jan 09
hmm...that is saving a life. I just live my life trying to be peaceful and loving and honest. I don't believe that there is anyone who can say they never lied under certain circumstances and especially if it was to protect someone you care about and love. Nothing is all that black & white. We are human and we don't know all the answers. I think if we all just put more effort into being good and kind and helpful to those around us then the world would be a better place. People put too much emphasis to the words that can easily be twisted.
@SueD823 (371)
• United States
9 Jan 09
I believe that if left unsaid then it is not a lie. If verbally spoken it is. There are too many times that we are forced to tell white lies, little ones. For instance, if my daughter asks me if she looks fat, I will tell her no, she looks beautiful. And of course there are lies like you mentioned, to save ones life...I don't call that a lie at all in any shape or form. You protecting a soul is much more important and you will be well rewarded by your God for your good deed!
