A sin to lie at work?

Question

I attend an LDS church occasionally and would like to become a member and be baptised. I was wondering if my job poses a problem. I work for a collection agency and I have to lie constantly throughout the day. I like about who I am and other things frequently on the phone. Nothing dishonest as far as business practices, I just use a fictitious name on the phone etc..

Well, for the person saying thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor, that's got nothing to do with this. That'd be me saying someone did something they didn't or I saw them do something they didn't.

Thou shalt not lie is the commandment I'm concerned with.

As far as I can tell my lie hurts no one, it's to keep me safe at work.

But yeah, a lie is a lie, that's why I was asking.

Yeah... problem is I've got alot riding on this job. I'm paying for my fiance and I to get our own place and there's no way I can afford to give up such a good paying job. I haven't found anything that pays this well that I could do before and I'm about to have a huge loan I'm gonna have to make payments on etc...
I mean, I'm open to other work but it'd have to match what I'm making now or I'd be in trouble financially.

Answer 1

Overlooking the fact that you're interested in joining a wacko CULT... there remains the question of whether or not lying actually is sinful at all, in some cases. Such as the one you detailed.

The Commandment actually is against "bearing false witness" -- which to me is a ringingly-clear indictment NOT of lying in general, but of lying in such a way as to present false TESTIMONY against a person, so as to get him convicted. IOW -- **being** a FALSE witness *against* a person.

So I'm betting that MOST lies don't reach that level. Especially "white" lies. Or the type you just described.

Answer 2

I am LDS and in a similar position to you. I staff a confidential helpline for people with mental health and addiction problems. Occasionally I have to call them back, and since they are all business people I may get the secretary, or a colleague, on the phone, who will generally ask who I am or what the call is about.

Obviously it would be highly inadvisable for me to tell them the charity I work for and that I want to speak to the person because I have the information about rehab he asked for. So I lie in order to protect that person's privacy and confidentiality. Not a major lie, just something like "My name's Annie and it's a personal call" if I think I can get away with it (some places don't allow you to receive personal calls so I have to pretend I'm a client or something).

You have to weigh this one up for yourself. I would speak to the missionaries about it, and then to your Bishop. Pray about it too, and be guided by the spirit.

Congratulations on the wonderful decision you made to be baptised, and that you have the integrity to really want to live the gospel in this way. I have now been a member 14 years and I have never regretted it, it has been something truly amazing in my life and brought me so much joy.

Answer 3

Welcome to the world of business. People lie in order to get loans, spouses and better treatment. People lie in order to get sympathy, jobs and be President.

You're job is no different than a timeshare or used car salesman, and apparently you're good at it too, if you're claiming the financial rewards are good.

Or, are you stretching the truth a little?

Oh, the church has a doctrine of Lying for the Lord and NOT telling you everything about *all* their teachings initially. Perhaps if you're used to insincerity, membership in the church is a natural fit.

Answer 4

Seems like you are a person that is concerned about the truth. As such read about LDS pro and con and thereafter make your decision about joining.

....before I get the thumbs down, someone had to say it.

Answer 5

All collection people are liars, deceivers and obnoxious; others teach them to be such for their own agenda; they care nothing about you, morals or scruples as they are given over to the worship of money...

All religious members are lied to, deceived and used./..

Looks like you'll have the worst of both worlds.....But I wouldn't worry about being a liar if I were you or even a member of a cult......Baptism is a ritual that expresses Stupidism and soon the LDS Church will be collecting from you ...lol....Get a life; explore and foillow your own mind without letting others dictate your humanity on their behalf. Wake up.....don't be a pawn...the world is full of those demons already..

Answer 6

Morality goes above work ethics and the law.
Example: Should a Christian work for a tabacco company, even though selling tabacco is legal.
Bears some thought, personally I would not want to work in a job that seems to be predicated on dishonesty.
Hope you find your way.

Answer 7

In answer to the original question, yes it is a sin to lie....in any way, shape, or form.
James 4:17
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." It is always a sin to not do the right thing.

Answer 8

Remember, "god" is nothing more than a nonsense word made up by man to explain away the things we can't yet understand. Get out of that crazy cult!

Anyway, the characters in the bible fairytale lied to cover their as$es when they deemed it necessary. So, I guess you're good to go with the lying because the cult books demonstrates that it is OK to lie when you feel that you need to.

Answer 9

Any type of lie is a sin, even if it is using a different name. What else to you have to lie about? If you are feeling this strongly about it now, you may want to find another position. God is great at finding employment. Just trust in Him.

Answer 10

A lie is a lie is a lie.

That being said the real question is who are you hurting... Some lies cause no harms, others immense. Ask yourself that and are you comfortable with the consequences of your lie.