Do you think this is immoral? Would you do it?

Question

My father is a used car dealer. And he's a good Christian and is honest and would never ever in a million years cheat anyone.

But since car dealers have a reputation for being dishonest, it seems that a lot of people have this stupid idea that it's somehow ok to cheat and lie to car dealers.

So this guy who is a long-time friend, who was my Sunday School teacher, and is now an ordained lay speaker, came to trade in his car, and he totally lied to us about its condition. When I found this out, I was devastated. I feel like you can't trust anyone now!

Why did he think it was ok to lie to us and try to cheat us?

Would you do that? And is your decision about what to do in that case determined in any way by your religion or religious beliefs?

Thanks.

Yes, he definitely lied, because it became obvious, and he eventually admitted to it.

prole - I have worked along side my dad for years in this business, and I am 2000% sure that he runs his business with total honesty and integrity. That's what all the dealers say to him, "How do you do it without lying?" But my Dad is the example that it CAN be done!

It came as a surprise to me because I really felt I knew him. It's not that he's a Christian so much, as I just thought I knew him.

Fortunately, my Dad did check the car and found out it was falling apart. So we didn't buy it. Whew.

Adam T - your answers always make me laugh!

Answer 1

This is the reason we are to trust God more than we trust in ourselves.

He was trying to get the best deal for himself. I don't know what his situation is, maybe he felt some pressure to do so because of another situation. Maybe he's too far into debt to be able to afford a car if he got a fair price/trade for his.

His way of doing things, though, caused him to sin. I believe that if he had been honest, no matter what his situation, God would have gotten him through his other circumstances.

I know there are some people who limit their religion to what they do on Sundays, and it's all sort of a hypothetical belief that has no practical bearing on their lives. That shows a lack of faith. Their belief doesn't make its way into action.

I'm sorry this has shaken your trust. People, even really good people, let us down. God never does.

Answer 2

This Sunday School teacher/friend of yours was obviously ignorant of the consequences of his own actions. Does Christianity ever talk about the "what goes around, goes around" (karma) subject? All my life, I too have had ignorant moments when I thought I could get away with things and that there were no consequences of my actions.

But as I learnt more and more about spirituality and the laws of nature/God that we are bound by, that whatever I am doing towards others, I end up treating myself the exact same way. And also ever since I was taken under Amma's wing, I just cannot get away with anything because I am SO conscious of Her "eyes" on my every second. That is God watching my every movement and being fully aware of it! The benefit of being more aware is that makes me pay more attention to every little thing that I am putting out there and that I only put out good vibes.

Being religious does not mean that one does understand it's underlying spiritual principles. Religion is like the surface of the ocean, and spirituality is the depth of it. Floating on the surface without diving underneath won't give one the understanding of what an ocean is.

Answer 3

All I can say to your question is it is wrong to lie. PERIOD. It doens't matter to who or whom the lie is being told to, it is simply wrong all the way around. The issue is that because people have been ripped off, i.e. being sold a 'lemon' car (personal experience), people are leary of being honest and chose to withhold info. When you buy a brand new car, you literally lose up to a couple thousand when you drive it off the lot, the value of a vehicle depreciates with each mile drive, service performed, wrecks or fender benders reported or not and as a consumer you do wnat to buy something worth your money. I do think that it is a stigma that 'all car salesmen are liars and cheats' rings true for many and as you have pointed out, your Father is not one of those. It is best to let this person who made a bad decision be forgiven. Obviously he has been shown his error and he can grow from it. It has nothing to do with reigion, that is a whole different topic... :-)

Answer 4

That's horrible. I've dealt with the slimiest car dealers and even the few good ones and I would never cheat them on a car deal. That would make me no better than the slimey ones.

Besides if lie is found out, the finance company can hit you hard.

Answer 5

Honey: At the end of the day any christian or religious person is a HUMAN SINNING creature.

That's one of the big failures of many religions - they make humans "godly" and put them on this holier than thou than other people. Any pastor, reverend, priest, etc....are human and lie....and sin.

Religious people disappoint more than other people because they are held to a "higher" standard, that's why I stopped going to church and stopped listening to a "human" sinner tell me about God. That's just my personal decision, but I feel more people need to take their blinders off to the real deal in churches and in most so-called "Christian" establishments.

Yes you are shocked, because you have the mindset because they are "christian" they wouldn't do that. Just realize that even though you "know" they aren't God that you can't hold them up, or they will disappoint you.

Answer 6

It's sad, but you now know something about this long-time friend that you would rather not have known. People let us down sometimes. I'm not sure what can be done about it. But if you were to confront him, not in a hostile way, but just to say that you feel he was not completely honest with your family, and that your trust in him is greatly shaken, I think his conscience would probably do the rest. It would convict him, unless he is completely hardened in his heart. And then I would do my best to forget it, and put it behind me. I believe this is the Christian way to handle it.

Answer 7

When I traded in my 86 Nova years ago, I told them it was in bad shape, but they still gave me a $250 trade in site unseen. I've never had it in me to lie, either as a Christian (then) or a Pagan (now). In my personal opinion, I believe that even those with deep religious beliefs have a darker side to them. Free will and just plain being human are what plague us to "sin".

Answer 8

I don't see where it has anything to do with religion,other than that deception is wrong. I don't know what "an ordained lay speaker" is but I suppose by the sound of it such a person may feel he's so pious he's automatically forgiven just about anything.

Answer 9

In Asatru we have the Nine Noble Virtues, one of which is Honor. Liars and Oathbreakers are right up there with murderers for us. So, no, under no circumstances would I have done such a thing.

Isn't there a governing board you can report this person to at the church? I would think most churches would frown on this behavior and perhaps verbally reprimand him. At the very least, they should remind him that sort of behavior is wrong.

~Morg~

Answer 10

Its a car. Of course he did. He wanted to sell it. Its all about money. The world isn't a pretty place where everyone is honest all the time.

Thats why you need to verify the condition of those before you buy it.

No, I wouldn't do it because I'm honest to a fault, even if it gets me into trouble.

What confuses me is why this behavior comes as a surprise to you.