Avoiding the truth vs lying

[Laurie919]

In your opinion is avoiding telling the truth the same thing as lying?

 

[BeefSupreme]

Lying is avoiding the truth.

 

[Beautiful Fireball]

SOmetimes yes, sometimes no

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Pretty much.

 

[AlexeiKaramazov]

I would say avoiding the truth usually falls under "using tact". There's definitely a difference between lying and avoiding telling someone the truth. There's nothing wrong with not wanting someone to know something, IMO. There is something wrong with lying to their face about it.

 

[alfrodull]

Just because you don't volunteer information doesn't mean you are lying. Not volunteering certain information can still be wrong if failing to do so will hurt someone, but it's still not lying, per se.

 

[justaGUYnamedROB]

I'm busy right at the moment but while you're waiting, would you mind answering a few simple questions?

What is your date of birth?
Social Security Number?
Credit Card Number?
Address?
Phone Number?

I'll be back with you shortly...

 

[plum]

I'm busy right at the moment but while you're waiting, would you mind answering a few simple questions?

What is your date of birth?
Social Security Number?
Credit Card Number?
Address?
Phone Number?

I'll be back with you shortly...

well illustrated

 

[justaGUYnamedROB]

well illustrated

Thanks Ray-Nay.

 

[soccerdad66]

well illustrated

For me it falls down too: Intent.

Intent to deceive, yes. Trying to avoid hurt feelings, no, etc.

 

[Holy Warrior]

I'd be inclined to agree, soccerdad. I mean, if a girl comes in and asks if you like her new super-short haircut, no bloke in his right mind is going to come out and tell her that he thinks it's awful-looking.

If it's about something serious, though, it's a different matter.

I kinda see it as the distinction between 'killing' and 'murdering', to stick with the commandments as an example.

Does that make me a terrible person?

 

[Laurie919]

I am an open honest person. I don't hide things I do. God sees them there is no reason to lie about them. I even went straight to my pastor when I fell into a sin issue.

So, personally I think it is like lying unless like you said you are doing it to protect someone.

 

[Teufelhund]

No, I think there are too many things that are nobody's business, and they kept private. I think that people actually are far too foreward with information especially in today's culture. I think you are witholding information which is pertinent to the situation at hand, then it it's not lying at all.

 

[fuerein]

I really don't think you can draw a fine dividing line. For instance say I went out to the theatre and have a good time but as I'm leaving I met up with someone who I don't get along with. We have an argument and I get upset.

Now later someone else I know, who doesn't know the person I got into an argument with and doesn't know anything about the situation between us. They ask me how my trip to the theatre was. Is it lying if I simply reply that I had a good time? It is true I had a good time except for the encounter with the other person. Explaining the whole situation isn't really relevant to my friend and they don't really need to know. I answered truthfully I just didn't include one short encounter because it wasn't relevant to them.

Now if they specifically asked "Hey did you have any bad encounters at the theatre?" then I would be lying if I said no.

 

[smellynerfherder]

It depends how you avoid the truth. Just skirting an issue to maintain a status quo is one thing, but as soon as you start making up covering stories then you are lying.

 

[CoachR64]

It's not the same thing. I don't tell everyone every thing. It is not lying, it is simply choosing what information to reveal. For example, as a teacher, I avoid answering questions about my personal life when asked by my students. I am not lying to them, I just don't want to reveal my personal life to those kids because of boundaries.

Coach

 

[JPPT1974]

Lying also most of all can
And will get you in trouble with the law
But also what's worse, risk jail time
You don't want that now do you?

 

[MusicWarrior]

Yes.... if it is not truth than it is a lie. Haven't you ever heard the saying "the worst thing is when good men know and say nothing?" Or it goes something like that... gah... tired can't think... lol

 

[CoachR64]

Lying and not telling the entire story are way different. Again, sometimes, everyone doesn't need to know the entire case. Another example: When working with kids that are in abusive situations, not everyone around you needs to know the entire story. Often telling them the kid is in danger and had to be removed from the home is enough. Many times, there is a lot of merit in keeping some of the facts to yourself.

Coach

 

[CoachR64]

Also, if lying was what it would take to save someone I cared about, i would do it in a heartbeat. If I could save the life of a loved one by telling a lie, make no mistake about it, I would lie my butt off.

Coach