What is a good lie?

1. 61

   Donya Mehrabanposted 8 years ago

   What is a good lie?
   
   There are so many forms of lying, but which one is a good lie and it is okay to do it and which ones are absolutely a no go in our society?
   
   

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2. 0

   RTalloniposted 8 years ago

   So many scenarios come to mind.  A lie that decreases one's integrity on any level should be unacceptable.  Of course, one that harms another person is criminal.  However, I've thought about the fact that a person like Hitler (or a representative of such) has lost the right to the truth.  For instance, failing to tell him/them where Jewish families were hidden was technically a lie, but it was the honorable thing to do.
   
   Is a lie ever really good, though?  An interesting examination of it for Christians can be found at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/199 … ml?start=2
   and
   http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/201 … lying.html

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   1. 61

      Donya Mehrabanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you R Talloni interesting insight. However, we see it more happening and it has become very common in this society and they call it little 'white lies' and you can get away with it more easily.....

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3. 88

   Terrielynn1posted 8 years ago

   I used to hear little white lies are ok. I don't understand that. To me it's never ok to lie. In the end someone gets hurt. There is even lie by omission. When someone asks you a question and leave out important facts because they make you look bad, is also wrong. We all lie as children it's how you get what you want and control others. I hope as we mature this doesn't happen. Like judge Judy says, you don't need a good memory when you tell the truth. As a religious thought a willful lie is wrong and can change how you are viewed by god. Misleading someone is also a form of lying.

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   1. 61

      Donya Mehrabanposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Very well said. But, for e.g to not hurt a mothers feeling as a dghter you will not tell her about an illness of your bro as he might recover from it. You don't want to make your mum upset as she is sick herself, so you will lie, is that acceptable?.

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   2. 88

      Terrielynn1posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I wouldn't tell her right away. I would tell my brother he needs to talk to her himself. If it doesn't work out and he passes, that is wrong on his part. If you gave him an amount of time to Talk and he doesn't then I would tell mom to talk to him.

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4. 72

   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   
   
   An example of a "good lie' might be told to keep someone from suspecting a surprise birthday party or any other pleasant surprise such as getting tickets to a sold out concert after saying you struck out....etc
   Any (self-serving lie) designed to manipulate someone's trust, loyalty, or take advantage of them in any way is clearly bad.
   Lastly there are lies that are told to (protect the listener) from the truth. While the liar may have had "good intentions" the other person may feel hurt or disappointed upon learning the truth.
   Most people want close friends/family to give it to them straight!

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