a thief was chased by angry crowd and he hides himself in the house of saint and begs the saint not reveal his presence. now when the crowd asks the saint wether has he seen a thief coming over, what will be the saint's answer? will he says the truth or will he lie? justify u r answer.
2007-10-06 06:55:09 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"I have not seen a thief. Why do you ask?"
Crowd: "He stole something. We are chasing him."
"And you wish to catch him and harm him? Or bring him to the authorities?"
Crowd: "Yes, he must be punished."
"Excellent. Would the people who wish to catch this thief please stay here. Everyone else, please go home."
Crowd: (Some, confused, go, most stay).
"Good. Now, would each of those who actually saw the thief steal something please step forward."
Crowd: (a medium group steps forward, people start looking at each other as they realize who has stepped forward, some step back realizing they are known to NOT have been witnesses. Others stand their ground, a smaller group, now)
"This is our group of witnesses, then. You know me to be a just man. Some say, 'wise'. Would you look amongst this forward group and see who is there, and whether they were witnesses to the event or not."
Crowd: (Minor chaos ensues, with people disagreeing, and some stepping back, even more embarrassed. Arguing continues until a small group still remains. They seem satisfied.)
"Satisfactory. Now, will the forward group, you who actually witnessed this event please look behind you?"
"Who is the thief? The person who would deprive another of his freedom, chase him from the town, attack him, stone him, or the man they have never seen but simply followed a crowd because one of us said he was a thief?"
"If I pointed at you...," (he points at each witness in turn), "...would you others chase him for me, arrest him, and hurt him if I called him thief?"
"What an opportunity for justice if such people as would obey such an accusation would go home and let justice be the decider, not the words of people who can't yet speak truly about whether or not they've even seen a crime."
"Imagine the fear of someone who sees people running after him that never met him, never saw him, and who seek his harm, criminal or not! Justice itself runs from such a crowd!"
"Go home, non-witnesses. This is not an elephant. It is a frightened man. Send the law. Support these men in seeking justice as witnesses, but seek not to decide before the words of the other man are heard."
(when the crowd is gone, the saint says...), "What an opportunity it would be for a man who has been foolish to teach a town justice and reward a kindness where none was owed," (said loudly enough for the thief to hear).
(If the thief does not come out, answer...), "I have not seen a thief. I HAVE seen a frightened man chased by an unjust crowd. Will you let me guide him to safety in the arms of the law? Will you make clear to our town that they may NOT arrest you and attack you on the word of another? For your sake, for the man's sake, and for the sake of our children's future justice?"
(Guides the man out of the back and leads him to the authorities), "You have chosen. Choose again. I will be here when you are done with the law. I am a just man. If I have been unjust with you, I will accept your rebuke."
"Go, in peace and justice."
2007-10-06 07:30:52 · answer #1 · answered by mckenziecalhoun 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good question. I believe the saint could truthfully answer, "All I have seen today are thieves coming over, and they're still coming...and I either am or was one..." and not commit a sin by lying...It essentially becomes a question of a) Will s/he be more helpful to the spiritual growth of the thief by lying to protect him or her, or by b) telling the truth and then possibly exposing the thief to death or maiming which would be a worse sin? Ultimately, I believe we take the lessons learned with us, and that may be the ONLY thing we take with us. I also believe that some really stubborn and stupid beings only learn through fear and terror. I also believe that death (and birth) are illusions, and that nothing and no one can really die forever, so as a result of this belief, your question ultimately doesn't matter, now, or ever, does it? It's just a matter of what is learned, and when and how many times the lesson must be repeated for those of us that are really dense and stubborn and stupid, isn't it then?
2007-10-06 14:05:09 · answer #2 · answered by calyx156 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1.If he is a real saint , he will touch the thief and correct him . He will preach the mob to forgive the thief .
2 . In the other case....If the thief is wise enough to understand the negotiation offered by the so called saint , he will survive!
2007-10-06 14:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by Dasar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The saint has to protect the thief. Every religion recommend this practice. He can recover the stolen goods and return it to the owner.
2007-10-06 14:22:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the Christian. Depends on the situaltion. If a thief tried to hide in my house, I would let the police know where he was hiding. I don't have to answer to an angry mob outside my door.
2007-10-06 13:59:36 · answer #5 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here the legal position , intention ,(mens rea' ) comes in. this is nt a case of testing whrethere the saint speaks truth or lies under all circumstances .irrespective of the consequences .
th reis sa dut for every man .It also requies one to safe guard one to whom one has given refuge .Yoiu will be chating the perrson if yu betray hi after tyou granted him asylum. Saint thiruvalluvar in his Thirukkural has said that even alie if a thruth if it is said in order to establish something good ( common for all and not for the self ) In Mahabhratha also Dharma , t eeledest of the pandavas whoi is known for speaking turth even by his enemies , once at the instnce of Krishna says that Aswathama was killed .when Throna the greatest Archer on the side of Thuriyodhana asks him if Aswatham is really dead as somebody shoulted in teh battle field .Aswathamn was the name of his son .thr ewas also an elepnhant by that name in the battle field .that elepohent was killed .and somebody shouted that Aswathama was killed so htatthe Athe powerful and invincible archer on the side of Thuriyodhana can be weakened and disabled to fight . Throna though Dharma was his opponent inthe battle , checks with him if Aswatham is really dead .Dharma answers in the affirmative ,mening that the elepht is dead and this is deliberately told to misguide the opponant throna . Here dharma knows that Throna means by Aswatham h, his sone and dharma means the elephant wilfully just to weaken a n enemy in the side of sinners.
So under certain circumstmnces in order to establish justice lies uttered are considered to be as good as truths."Poimayum vaimaiyai okkum" .Falsehood would be equivalent to truth.
the saint has to tell a lie only for
(1) upholding his duty to the one whom he has gien asylum and
(2) to save the life of the theief if he could forsee danger to his life
2007-10-06 18:48:29 · answer #6 · answered by Infinity 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he is a thief, he committed a crime, the saint would be prosecuted by law for harbing a criminal
hust because you are a saint your not above human law
2007-10-08 00:24:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Saints are sinners too. Only Jesus and Mary were without sin, so the question cannot be answered in this kind of general way.
2007-10-06 14:00:01 · answer #8 · answered by Tasha 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Define "saint."
2007-10-06 13:57:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saints are dead so a saint can't say anything.
BB
2007-10-06 13:59:59 · answer #10 · answered by Betty Boop Oop A Doop Atheist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋