A man is sitting with his wife who is on her death bed. There is very little time left. She asks him one last question. "Dear, you know how important fidelity is to me. Tell me the truth - please - have you ever cheated on me?"
Unfortunately, the true answer is "Yes, I have."
What would be the ethical thing for the husband to do?
Feel free to answer from a religious or non-religious point of view.
2007-03-19 16:38:16 · 23 answers · asked by Alan 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some Fundies are so wrong about their answers. To bare false witness against someone is wrong. To hurt someone is wrong. But, in your example, to tell the truth would be wrong. So, what is it about Jesus do the Church Christians not understand?
Harmony is harmony; disharmony is the only sin against God.
Please excuse an excerpt from one of my joke books:
She was on her deathbed; her husband, Brucie, was standing at her side. They were both crying.
Wanda said, "Brucie, before I die, I need to confess something to you."
Brucie replied, "Sweetheart, you don't have to confess anything to me".
Wanda confessed, "I have been unfaithful to you".
Brucie replied, "Don't worry about that. I already knew all about it. ... Why else would I have poisoned you?"
Page77
An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car, and vanished.
2007-03-19 16:47:10 · answer #1 · answered by MrsOcultyThomas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lie is when you say something which did not happen or deny something which happened. It's a matter of words, yes or no. Words do not create sin but the impact of uttering the words determine what is sin and what is not.
If the lie was told for a good reason by all means it would be the right thing to do. If you tell a lie and as a result of it, someone else suffers in any manner ( physically, emotionally, financially etc ) then you have commited a sin.
As for the scenario above, it would be best for the husband to lie and say he did not cheat on her.
The wife is dying and her soul will soon leave her body. With it she will discard all her realtionships of this life and move on to a different life. It serves no point for her to know at this stage that her husband cheated on her. There is no turning back for both the husband and the wife. If he wanted to tell her this, he should have done it a long time ago at which point she could have decided on their marriage. Telling her now will add more pain to her existing sufering. It is best to bid farewell to a departing soul with good thoughts and prayers. No one wants their loved ones to leave in pain be it physical or emotional.
2007-03-19 23:52:14 · answer #2 · answered by Rakesh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd lie. If the relationship is sound, she already knows (and didn't I know fidelity was important to her when I cheated?). Some things you just know to lie about - this is one.
Great question, I love to lie creatively. It's the most fun you can have outside of a bed (and I forget who said that or I would credit her). So maybe, maybe this is our last bit of fun together. She lets me lie and I take her up on the offer.
Edit: no, I guess I didn't have to use the word "I" where I could have used "the husband" but...well, such is my passion for the topic. I really don't see the harm in stretching the lie to the very end in this case.
2007-03-19 23:49:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ouch, that's a nasty one isn't it. I was going to answer your question with a no. No if you want to be happy with yourself that you are an honest person, and not a liar like almost every single other person is. Very few people actually tell the truth and are honest. If more people were honest and truthful, the world wouldn't be so messed up like it is now. This question is hard. For the wifes sake, I suppose you would have to lie. It would be hard living with yourself knowing you told such a big lie, especially at that time. But the truth would be so hurtful to the wife. Actually the truth would probably cause you alot of pain too. Because you had hurt her so badly.
2007-03-19 23:46:20 · answer #4 · answered by Rosalind S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The commandment is "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Ex. 20:16
Doesn't say anything about lying in the situation you quote. If the lie actually helps someone it seems it would be better. In the case quoted she shouldn't have asked.
On the other hand she probably already knows the answer so reasurance to her would do no harm.
2007-03-19 23:47:18 · answer #5 · answered by Bullfrog21 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The husband should tell her the truth and ask for her forgiveness.God will never forgive someone's sin if it is not forgiven by the other to whom we made a wrong doings.Telling a lie is only allowed if we will save other people who will be killed without a strong reason. by someone..
2007-03-20 00:17:53 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tuff one, I don't think it's right to lie, in this case it might be good for the soul but it would hurt the flesh,
so maybe the answer is this don't ask a question that you know will put somebody in that position to lie.
some things are better in the sea of forget fullness
2007-03-19 23:45:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The ethical thing to do is tell the truth. The guilt he will feel will only increase over time. It is OK to tell white lies when it comes to strip club or porno shop questions.
2007-03-19 23:42:26 · answer #8 · answered by Patrick the Carpathian, CaFO 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The truth never hurts the spirit. But emotionally it does.
2007-03-19 23:41:51 · answer #9 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
John 8:44
YOU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of [the lie].
2007-03-19 23:42:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋