Is lying right to save a person's life?

last SG · 2006-08-11T13:03:47+00:00

i will reference it as icemoon if i ever use it

SocialOutcast SG

There can be many variations. For example, can Christians kill an enemy soldier to save his own life? Can you lie to a would-be murderer to save another's life?

The answer is pretty obvious. It seems that we are allowed to commit a 'smaller' sin to achieve a 'greater good'. However, there is no such thing as a 'smaller' sin in Christianity. Deceit and murder both warrants the same punishment. Also, I said 'seems' because I am not too sure. The concept of 'Greater Good' may not even exist in the bible, or even the concept of choosing 'lesser of the two evils', though it certainly sounds reasonable to us.

I would like to know the biblical view of this (best is provide some verses) i.e. what is the main principle that can be used to answer such similar questions, when one is faced with two sinful acts and he has to choose one, and in the process break one of the commandments?

ben1xy SG

let me propose to u the Catholic view although u didnt ask for it Razz

Catholic Morality centers around the concept of conscience. Specifically a formed and informed conscience and Catholics have a duty to form this conscience.

Basically, not everything is dichotomous in that it's right or wrong. there are too many grey areas and that's where the concept of conscience comes into play

hisoka SG

not only that is failure to act, or rather failure to save a person also a sin?? is allowing harm to befall some one a sin?

SingaporeMacross SG

Ah... Moral Theology...

Lying is not right, but we have something called the mental reservation.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10195b.htm

M©+square SG

Intent.

M©+square SG

FOOO!!!!!~

DP~!

Icemoon SG

Mens rea (sp?)

any legal students here?

SingaporeTyrannosaur SG

I would have no problems with lying or killing if it had to come to it to do the right thing.

shade343 SG

Of course its right. The same thing applies to violence as well. Its absolutely necessary when the situation calls for it.

M©+square SG

I would prefer to see that, the decision that one made after giving thought to all possible situation. As for a true convert; i believe none will WANT/desire to lie.
The intent and motive of lying therefore, is important.

However, i have to address that, the act of lying will threaten the foundation of a true believer.

Risky take.

vince69 SG

the question is...
will the lying and killing going to help in the situation?
Smile

ben1xy SG

at one of the RCIA talks, the speaker gave this real life example:

a Woman was taken prison, she wanted to see her family (she had 3 kids and a husband), the only way out for her was to get pregnant. so she slept with one of the guards.

then the priest asked us... 'Is she committing adultery?'

like that how?

laurence82 SG

Lets tweak the question

Is lying a sin?

Then if it is, would you lie for god?

'lie' could be replaced by any of the seven deadly sins, or 'murder', 'rape' etc etc

Twisted Evil

monoslayer SG

true case in sg?? Rolling Eyes

ben1xy SG

not in s'pore. it was in one of the Asian countries though

but he guaranteed that it was true

vince69 SG

ok, this is my personal view on all these.
From a christian's perspective, what are God's commandments regarding this.
Do not bare false witness (lying), do not commit adultery ...etc

In all these situation, when we tried to justified doing these things (dispite God saying not to do it), by saying its for some greater good, what are we really trying to say? will good comes out from anything that is bad? can the ends really justify the means?

personally, I don't think so.
I believe in doing the right thing, using the right means, and instead of trusting in my own craftiness, I rather put my trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God, depends on Him to defend the weak and the innocence.

There was a case study many years back, during my uni days (on human behaviour), the question is, will you lie to protect a friend, what if his enemies treaten to kill you if you do not tell them where he is?

will you tell them he is hiding in house A (the truth)? or house B (a lie)?

the question is, will lying going to help him? what if without your knowledge, he had moved to hid in house B? then your lying would actually ended up betraying him instead.

God bless...
Smile

SingaporeMacross SG

well, the point if she can't come out, she's supposed to carry her cross, not find a way to escape it. afterall you are in jail to pay for your crimes.

the woman only thought of seeing her family, but she probably did not think that her husband wanted her to sleep with another man or bear another man's child.

of course we always try to find ways to escape.. but we have to take into account other circumstances. maybe she was forced into it by the guards or something?

ben1xy SG

u want to know wad the priest said abt this event?

vince69 SG

just say it can? Neutral

ben1xy SG

hahaa, it boils down to your formed and informed conscience

that's wad he said

then u could hear 1 big 'haaaiiiizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz' in the class