Lying for the Gospel's sake?

[Tamara224]

Some of you may know that in a couple of weeks, I'm headed to India on a 'mission' trip. I'm actually going to be a speaker at a Christian leadership conference, but we'll also probably do some witnessing in the slums of Mumbai.

I just received a packet of information about some things to expect, what to pack, etc, etc. In it are instructions about what to tell the officials about the reason for my trip, when asked.

In big bold red letters we are informed not to say that we are going to India for missionary work, or to visit a church or to do any church related activities. We are to tell them that we're tourists.

Apparently, if we say we're there for missions work or church work we'll be detained and questioned.

What do you all think of this? Is it okay to lie in this situation?

 

[JimB]

Boy that’s a hard one. My policy (which I actually practice most of the time ) is to tell the truth no matter what and let the chips fall where they will. However, in the case you mentioned I can see the advantage in not being totally upfront with officials who are enforcing an unjust law. However, if I were to do it it would take something away from me and I would feel a certain lack of integrity in me.

~Jim

I believe in miracles but I don’t depend on them.​

 

[hislegacy]

Why not say you are teaching in a leadership conference?

 

[Big Drew]

Boy that’s a hard one. My policy (which I actually practice most of the time ) is to tell the truth no matter what and let the chips fall where they will. However, in the case you mentioned I can see the advantage in not being totally upfront with officials who are enforcing an unjust law. However, if I were to do it it would take something away from me and I would feel a certain lack of integrity in me.

~Jim

I believe in miracles but I don’t depend on them.​

Agreed.

 

[Tamara224]

Why not say you are teaching in a leadership conference?

You mean leave out the Christian part?

 

[Faulty]

If you're traveling to and touring the slums, that makes you a tourist. I don't think that doing so in the capacity of temporal missions makes you any less of a tourist.

 

[hislegacy]

You mean leave out the Christian part?

Yup

 

[Tamara224]

And if they ask "what type of leadership conference?"

I'm not sure I see any difference between that and just saying I'm a tourist. I will, after all, be doing some tourism activities while I'm there.

 

[Faulty]

And if they ask "what type of leadership conference?"

I'm not sure I see any difference between that and just saying I'm a tourist. I will, after all, be doing some tourism activities while I'm there.

I didn't see that as anyone asking you to lie, but rather to concentrate on one particular aspect of your trip.

When you speak, you'll be concentrating on your role there as a speaker, not as a missionary or a tourist.

When you are in the slums witnessing, you'll be concentrating on your role as a missionary, not as a tourist or a conference speaker.

Likewise, when you are traveling, you are primarily a tourist and not a missionary or a conference speaker.

Of course, if they ask you straight up if you are a missionary, you might say, "Yup. Why? Can I pray for you?"

 

[JimB]

Sometimes in these situations it is just a word game. They may know very well why you are there and have to ask you the question but expect you to reply in a manner that disguises your true motive. Diplomats play this sort of game every day.

~Jim

I believe in miracles but I don’t depend on them.​

 

[Tamara224]

I dunno. If I recall correctly from my last overseas visit, I was asked what the "primary" reason for my visit was.

In this case, tourism is not the primary reason for my visit.


I'm not really worried about this. I'm not legalistic about lying. I think there's a time for everything.

But I do find this an interesting seeming inconsistency with the organization. They want me to promise not to drink or smoke or chew tobacco but they want me to promise to lie to the officials.

 

[Faulty]

Well, I certainly wouldn't want to encourage anyone to lie. If you think that telling them you are a tourist is a lie, then you shouldn't tell them that. If you are detaned and questioned for a while as a result, then so be it.

 

[hislegacy]

Then don't go. If you feel they are being hypocrytical. I wouldn't want to be associated with a group that made me feel the way you are describing.

 

[JimB]

*****

But I do find this an interesting seeming inconsistency with the organization. They want me to promise not to drink or smoke or chew tobacco but they want me to promise to lie to the officials.

Yep. That kind of hypocrisy exists in all forms of legalism.

~Jim

I believe in miracles but I don’t depend on them.​

 

[Tamara224]

Okay guys... I said "seeming" inconsistency.

Sheesh. I was not calling them hypocritical.


Sometimes a person just thinks something will make an interesting discussion.

I'm not actually asking for advice here.

 

[Tamara224]

Then don't go. If you feel they are being hypocrytical. I wouldn't want to be associated with a group that made me feel the way you are describing.

I haven't described my feelings.

 

[Leah]

My prayers go out to you, Tamara.

Any brother or sister doing missionary work in other countries can be dangerous, especially when the rules are against anything that has to do with God.

 

[Tamara224]

Thanks Leah! I really appreciate all the prayers I can get!

 

[Leah]

Well guys, let's be sure that she gets alot of them!

 

[disciple-ofjesus]

IMO, the Word has ALOT to say about lying....for one, God hates a lying tongue. SO, I guess if I was being forced to lie, I wouldn't go. that is just me. Prayers being sent your way Tamara. For wisdom on how to deal with this, and what you are to do.