If honesty is the best policy, and the golden rule applies, why do people lie and treat each other like crap?

Question

All the good rules to live by out there, and not enough people living by them. There are rules of kindness and honesty in basically all religions, but people tend to focus on the odd rules that allow bigotry, judging (usually false) and self-righteous indifference. Even the most basic social rules of conduct and interaction are ignored on a regular basis. What causes otherwise intelligent people to behave this way?
I've asked this before, but wasn't real impressed with many of the answers.

Answer 1

Because it's easier to break the rules than it is to keep them. People are always looking for the easy way out. If it's easier to tell the lie to make themselves look good, then people will lie. If it's easier to hate someone than love them, then people will hate others. If it's easier to walk all over someone and abuse them, then people will be abusive. The arguing and nitpicking is often a decoy to lure people away from the fact that nobody's behaving themselves. Besides that, it's easier to argue about the rules than to follow them.

I've also noticed another trend: people seem to think that if they can argue about one minor rule, then none of the major rules apply. In general, the major rules are the ones that keep society functioning, while the minor rules are basically suggestions for getting along with each other. Why don't they just ignore the minor rules and obey the major ones? Because it's easier if they don't have to obey any rules. Then they can be egocentric and forget about the rest of the world.

Answer 2

Awesome question and one I have wondered about for a long time. In my experience, the best measure of a human being, reguardless of their beliefs, is in their actions. One of the things I and many others admire most is an honest person. It seems people lie or focus on the worst of the behaviors because they either think or know they can get away with it. We need to stop ignoring...confront them when they are caught in a lie or a false judgment or any other behavior that offends. Or just simply ignore them...

Answer 3

Humans were born to survive. We only abide to the rules of society (e.g. being nice, etc.) because we can without fear of dying or being hurt.

Now if all technology was gone and the world was thrown in some sort of Triassic period, the smart people would stop being nice to one another and start killing for food, and working with other people only if it serves their interest. The idiots will try to help everyone, and then get killed. In other words, we'd be cavemen who could do calculus.

We lie so we can avoid getting into trouble, which we know will get us punished, which we know will hurt us either mentally or physically. If everyone was "perfect" and always told the truth and took the punishment, there wouldn't need to be punishment since it would accomplish nothing.

Answer 4

Honesty is NOT always the best policy (Do these pants make my butt look big??) and the golden rule applies, but unfortunately, people don't treat others as they would be treated, because they think they're better than everyone else. Human nature sucks like that, but at least you can take comfort in knowing that people who treat other people like crap get their food spit in (or worse) all the time at the restaurant. Karma still visits those who require it.

Answer 5

That's funny because I was reading a book called Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. In the book it shows the advantages of being honest. There is a guy in the book who is completely and 100% honest, you ask him anything and whatever comes out of his mouth is true. As for me, I have a guilty concionce(sp?) so I never lie. Once and awhile a small one might slip out, but never anything big. Nor do I judge people either. I get to know them first and I wish more people were like this. People are so rude now days, but I'm not one of them. I'm always polite to people and so it's annoying when people act rude to me.

Answer 6

haha People will do and say anything to skirt the real issue. Nit picking is the strong suit here. People harp on subjects to avoid their own shortcomings being seen and pointed out. The self righteous pat themselves on the back every day while pointing the finger at lesser offenses of others. Most every one are out for themselves in the first place.

Answer 7

If you keep a couple of things in mind, than you will understand maybe, why honesty...is thrown out the window daily.
First of all...its a cliche..words said but not meant. If we were honest, there would be no turmoil, no wars..no strife..no horrible things that continue in this world. One thing is for sure , before God moves in..the ONE thing humans are BEST known for, is inventing better ways to kill each other.
Honesty, is so far down on the list..i am surprised it hasn't been removed from our lanquage..
Remember, cliches..and a lie is easier to accep than the truth...sad but true...

Answer 8

I'm actually TOO honest. It gets me in trouble a lot. LOL
I try not to. If I need to lie, then I don't need to be doing it to begin with. Have I lied? Of course. I'm human. Will I agian. I am very sure. Do I judge? Ummm show me a heathen who doesn't and I'll show someone who isn't Heathen. BUT, I am not hateful. I have no reason to be. I like people in general. I help who I can, I am active in charities and I believe in helping my fellow man. I do so because I am human. That alone is a gift from the Gods.

Answer 9

There are several ways to learn a lesson.
The easy way: you hear a wise person preach about the way you should behave, and you do it because it sounds right.
Another easy way: you hear of someone who did not do the right thing, and really messed up, so you make sure you do the right thing.
The hard way: you ignore the good advice, mess up, and pay for it. Chances are, you will not do it again.

Answer 10

firstly, we must consider ourselves and attempt to live Godly lives ourselves. Faith, love, peace, righteousness? what helps us to live that way is keeping company with others "who call on the Lord from a pure heart". (2 Tim. 2:22-26)
Evil talk may spread like gangrene, but purity can spread too. Pray for those who are not kind to you or you will go crazy wondering why there are bad people. Read you word. Speak kindly to everyone. be kind and patient does not mean that we shod just be quiet and let wrong ideas go unchallenged. I can tell by your question that the word of God is not embedded in your heart. Remember, those who are not Christ-like are doing what they are suppose to do. evil.
However, we who love them and love God, spread the hope, love, joy and peace that we find in Jesus.
I have more. no time. I love you for wanting more from the Lord. Peace.