2006-09-07 06:28:08 · 20 answers · asked by Curious Salli 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
yes, but it would be a more polite answer
2006-09-07 06:31:50 · answer #1 · answered by Artika 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would answer that it's not necessarily the same thing.
Sometimes, it might be a "nicer way" of challenging someone's veracity, or even if said harshly, it might be a step before telling someone that they're lying. But, it also - as others pointed out - may be a way of asking the other person to check their facts, or their story again because based on their experience it just does not "compute".
And then there's this wisdom from the immortal George Costanza ( of 'Seinfeld'):
"Remember, it's not a lie if you believe it."
2006-09-07 14:27:59 · answer #2 · answered by Da Whispering Genius 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it just depends on the person and the situation.
if, for instance, you were in a debate with someone and each person had just finished presenting his/her arguments, someone might say "I don't believe you" but that wouldn't have to mean that it was therefore believed to be a lie.
another example--in religion, i can't possibly believe everything that everyone thinks about God or a Higher Being but that doesn't mean i think other religions are trying to lie--they simply believe something other than what i believe.
2006-09-07 15:05:20 · answer #3 · answered by duckie3077 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the person you are talking to! For some, "I don't believe you" is the equivilent of 'You're lying."
For others, it might mean that they have a different take on the subject ...ie, different information or experience.
And, others just don't believe anyone else.
2006-09-07 13:34:16 · answer #4 · answered by Roseyred 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarily. We believe what we want to believe and because our beliefs sometimes differ doesn't mean the other party is lying.
2006-09-07 13:36:28 · answer #5 · answered by swtstrbry9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe.
"You're lying" means that the person is trying to deceive you, while "I don't believe you" doesn't have anything to say about the other person's intentions.
2006-09-08 01:21:01 · answer #6 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it isn't. "I don't believe you," means just that... the person doesn't necessarily think you're lying, he just chooses not to believe it. Lying is devious. Not agreeing with something someone says isn't.
2006-09-07 17:59:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO
When I say someone is a liar that means I have facts to prove it.
When I say I don't believe you. It means I am not sure if you are telling me everything correctly.
2006-09-07 13:40:05 · answer #8 · answered by Emptiness 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, it wouldn't.
"i dont believe u" could mean that i don't have enough information to back your statement, so i cannot accept it.
"ur lying" could just mean that i have information to show that the truth is otherwise, thus what you say is not the truth!!!
2006-09-07 13:35:23 · answer #9 · answered by sushobhan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they don't want to say it that way but I think it's the same thing.
2006-09-07 13:35:57 · answer #10 · answered by Natalia 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I dont know....I sometimes tell my kids "I dont believe you" but I am not saying that they are lying....I am saying Oh I cant believe you...as in why oh why did you do that....
2006-09-07 13:35:07 · answer #11 · answered by baseballmommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋