White Lies

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Date: October 14, 2008, 08:40 AM
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Author Topic: White Lies  (Read 3393 views)
whizkid (f)
White Lies
« on: May 05, 2005, 01:49 PM »

Let me start by defining what the term White lie is:an unimportant lie (especially one told to be tactful or polite).

So many people are guilty of telling lies especially the white lies For example, I tell someone, oh nice hair do, without meaning it, but beause I know it will make the person feel good, I compliment her looks anyway, sometimes people even tell white lies in their relationships another example, I tell my spouse I went to see my mum when really I was hanging out with an old friend I had a crush on back in the university, that does not mean I love my spouse any less, but so that my spouse is not hurt, I tell a lie (white lie) etc.

1. I know it is a sin to tell a lie but is there any moral justification to tell a white lie?
2. Should one tell white lies, just to save one's neck? What about the truth shall set you free?
3. Remember also that "a lie breds another lie"?!

Please what are your views?
diakim (m)
Re: White Lies
« #1 on: May 05, 2005, 02:13 PM »

Well, I don't tell white lies, but diplomatic lies.

Like if I don't want to see a visitor in the office, I will tell the receptionist that I am in a meeting, and so I cannot attend to the visitor.

Or, If there is an external call for me from a pestiferious salesperson, I will tell the operator to inform the caller that I am not around.

So Trish, if these fit into your classification of white lies, then so be it.
whizkid (f)
Re: White Lies
« #2 on: May 05, 2005, 02:44 PM »

@ Diakim

Your lies definitely fit into the white lies category. But nobody is judging you bro, Smiley I only wanted to know if there is any moral justification for telling them. In your case, those lies are not very important but when the people you tell white lies are people you care about, then it could sometimes be an issue because sometimes lies have a way of 'catching up' with you.
Ka (m)
Re: White Lies
« #3 on: May 05, 2005, 07:14 PM »

Trish,

For me, it's less about whether you are telling the truth, and more about the intent of your statement. Is it intended to cause harm or do good?

A quick example: let's say that assassins are chasing a person who you know to be innocent and who has rushed into your house for protection. Let's say you have hidden him so well that there is no way they could find him if they searched. Now if they ask you whether you are harbouring him, will you tell the truth? You can see that it will do far more harm than good to do so.

There is a cost to lying, though - you have to ask yourself whether it will destroy the trust between yourself and the person you lie to. Obviously, in the case of the assassins, you could care less if they trust you or not, so it doesn't really matter if you lie. There are other less clear cut cases, where for example you have to hide some bad news from someone because they are not in a position to handle it at that point in time. You just hope that they understand your reasons for doing so, and do not interpret your action then to mean that you habitually lie.
razor (m)
Re: White Lies
« #4 on: June 22, 2005, 11:42 AM »

There is nothing like a white lie, a lie is a lie. The bible says all liars will have their portion in the lake of fire (l believe white liars is included).
olaide07 (f)
Re: White Lies
« #5 on: July 04, 2005, 11:56 AM »

  uuuuum saint razor,don't tell me you can't help a person who's in condition  Ka mentioned just because you don't want to go to tell i swear if you do that you going to be the first on hell list.Love your neighbour as yourself and do unto others as you want them to do to UWell a word is enough for the wise.I support the WHITE LIES

  LONG LIVE IT
Greatpeter (m)
Re: White Lies
« #6 on: July 04, 2005, 06:40 PM »

Hmn, Lie is lie of a truth. There was a time I read about lie on internet. They categorised lie into 3 types.
They geve a story of a family who was a missionary. He preached about lies in Church one day and the assassins visited them that night aimed at killing the Man who gave the sermon.
So man climbed the roof of the house, telling his wife to the assassins he was around but the message her wife heard from her husband touched her and told her husband but you preached about lie today?
her husband said "do it for today and it will be final just to save my life"
Her wife allowed them to enter and the assassins asked her furiously "Where is your husband" She pointed to her husband on the roof and got him killed and she became a widow.
People asked her why? She said God said we should not tell lies.
  So I come to join you ask thesame question and to compliment your points and analogy.
   But lie is bad in the sight of God. What then are you to do?
pete (m)
Re: White Lies
« #7 on: January 20, 2006, 05:47 AM »

This is a very interesting subject...hhhm, white lies, sure there are white lies...my uncle in Nigeria calls them necessary and unavoidable lies.Sometimes they're meant to save your life or someone elses life. They're called white because they're not and are not suppose to hurt anyone. In most cases they're meant to save.The guy who talked about his wife...I mean you could be doing something harmless, but if u mention it to her she would flip and hit the roof...so its alot safer to just be technical or diplomatic about it. gain, white lies could be carried out by avoiding the fact....in other words, you just don't make any representation...u jump the question...don't give a direct answer.These are all instances of white lies.
Believe me its a very useful tool in our daily lives and believe me, we all do it.
papermoon (f)
Re: White Lies
« #8 on: February 06, 2006, 05:06 PM »

MOI?i never lie..i just TWIST the truth to erm erm...suit my situation. Grin
Seun (m)
Re: White Lies
« #9 on: February 06, 2006, 09:14 PM »

People that are not in positions of authority tend to lie a lot in order to avoid getting into trouble.  Wives, children, and employees.

Those in positions of authority also lie a lot in order to exploit the people 'under' them in various ways.  Nigerians generally lie a lot.
babymine (f)
Re: White Lies
« #10 on: February 07, 2006, 01:57 PM »

A lie is a lie, whether black, yellow, white or green. Shikenan!
Ndipe (m)
Re: White Lies
« #11 on: November 12, 2006, 10:49 PM »

So, a "White" lie is a lie that attempts to mitigate a dangerous situation.

What of a "Black" lie? The ones that worsens a situation. Why can't we blacks just refuse to accept this message of black being evil, while white (as the case of a white lie, being a lesser crime, and even people have deemed it acceptable Lie is lie, period.

As a Christian, I have to say this message is mind sobering. Some of you may be familiar with the story of Rahab and her encounter with the 2 spies from Israel. She lied to protect the lives of those 2 spies when the king of Jericho (her land) ordered her to bring them out of her house. She told him that those men were already gone. Was this justified or not?

Read Hebrews 11:31.

http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Hebrews/hebrews_077.htm

 
fm2007 (m)
NIGERIAN HER SAD,PASTOR HELP US
« #12 on: January 14, 2007, 09:29 AM »

Who become the next Nigeria president after Obasonjo,i see revd. Chris taken over from Obasonjo.Is a man of God and i think Nigerian needs him.Please vote him to become the next number one man. Shocked
noble_irc (m)
Re: White Lies
« #13 on: January 14, 2007, 09:52 AM »

Fm2007@                   na wetin them dey yarn be that?they r talking bot white lies u are mentioning chris oya.sorry.chris mba.Chris Okotie?wait.no be politics d topic dey point 2 nw!abi them don dey use u?Bfore i vex,APOLOGISE.
 For Lauryn And Uche  Saying "Sorry"  My Case Against Evolution  Page 2
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