How do you feel about lying?

[Theophilus]

I think leaving aside any moral viewpoint, trust is hard won and easily lost (by lying).

[Kalira9]

We all tell "white lies" now and then, but I know I do A LOT of lying in order to benefit myself. It's often come back to bite me and/or hurt the people I care about. It's a terrible habit that I'm trying hard to break...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I told a very important lie once. Jerry asked me where Sandra was. I told him I didn't know.

[Rum]

I lie when I have to, it doesn't make me feel guilty or uncomfortable or anything like that, it's a necessary evil at times.

I prefer the truth though, much simpler.

I suspect you hit it on the nose here. The truth *is* simpler, 'What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive'.

When I was a teenager I went through a period - it must have been very short - but I knew something was wrong (and luckily I came out of it pretty quickly) when I was either lying a lot or felt I was. It made life really complicated.

Life is simpler and far less stressful if one simply tells the truth if at all possible.

[Animavore]

I used to lie to the priest all the time during confession. I had to make up sins because I was a very well behaved boy

[Tigger]

I think leaving aside any moral viewpoint, trust is hard won and easily lost (by lying).

That has to be the shortest thing you ever wrote!

[Rum]

I think leaving aside any moral viewpoint, trust is hard won and easily lost (by lying).

That has to be the shortest thing you ever wrote!

..and one of the most sensible I think.

[Theophilus]

I think leaving aside any moral viewpoint, trust is hard won and easily lost (by lying).

That has to be the shortest thing you ever wrote!

Hmmm, yes, I don't think I explored the possible alternatives well enough there. I don't think I balanced one view against the other before coming to a firm non-conclusion. Good point, next time I shall ponder, cogitate, ruminate and digest a little more before launching into my circumlocution.

[Tigger]

I think leaving aside any moral viewpoint, trust is hard won and easily lost (by lying).

That has to be the shortest thing you ever wrote!

Hmmm, yes, I don't think I explored the possible alternatives well enough there. I don't think I balanced one view against the other before coming to a firm non-conclusion. Good point, next time I shall ponder, cogitate, ruminate and digest a little more before launching into my circumlocution.

Bless you.

[Theophilus]

Bless you.

Well, thank you kindly

[Valden]

Most of us here are atheists and when arguments about morality and its 'absence' in atheism are tossed about by believes we can be pretty robust in defending ourselves.

But how do you feel about lying? Is it wrong intrinsically? Wrong when you do it for gain? Right when you do it to protect someone? Wrong when it is to big yourself up? And what's the position of lying in a humanist world view?

I don't consider it to be a big deal. Babies learn how to lie without the help of a parent! It's got evolutionary advantages.

Sometimes it's needed.

[Pappa]

Most of us here are atheists and when arguments about morality and its 'absence' in atheism are tossed about by believes we can be pretty robust in defending ourselves.

But how do you feel about lying? Is it wrong intrinsically? Wrong when you do it for gain? Right when you do it to protect someone? Wrong when it is to big yourself up? And what's the position of lying in a humanist world view?

I don't consider it to be a big deal. Babies learn how to lie without the help of a parent! It's got evolutionary advantages.

Sometimes it's needed.

+1

[Twoflower]

I dont like to lie, but will when I have to.

[floppit]

I don't think it's crime of the century! No, I mean it I think people get far too excited over it, mostly people lie to just have an easier path, where it's more like lying and theft, or lying and cheating on a partner then it's the added bits which actually are worth the judgement.

When I was a kid I lied all the time, I lied over everything to avoid beltings and detentions while doing what I wanted rather than what was wanted of me. Through all that time I was as soft as I am now, it wasn't about trying to rob or hurt anyone, it was about freedom and not getting punished.

I remember about the age of 26, I remember where I was sat talking to my friend and I realised I could not remember the last time I lied because I was an adult, because I was no longer forced into a way of life I didn't want and had grown up enough to feel and not mind being responsible for my adult, chosen, actions. It felt like quite a luxury, very pleasurable.

Over time my word has become more important to me, partly because of how others view it, partly because the contrast to the child me is stark. My word is very strong, something I value because those near to me value it. I don't doubt I would lie though, I'm just grateful I don't seem to feel so disempowered that I can't just be straight and live with it.

Through my work I often deal with adult protection, protecting adults from adults - I think lots of the problems I see there (when it's inside families) are from people who just don't grow up, stay living in a world where they see there own actions as beyond their control and justify dishonesty and harm they cause as also beyond their control. When I've come across them, it's felt very much like a habit that just grew. When you hear people talk mostly it started long before the abused adult became vulnerable. When it's outside families it's just bog standard opportunism for gain. Again though, these aren't 'just' lies.

[kiki5711]

Everyone lies sometimes. Come on!! Tell the truth

Sometimes Itell the truth and it's so screwy sounding, the person I'm telling it to thinks I'm lying, but I' actually telling the truth. I just say "whatevahhhh!"