Although I've read some of the "theocratic war strategy" articles, etc., I have heard some on here use the expression "Lying for the Truth." Is that an expression JW's say among themselves? Also, does it appear in an article anywhere?
Is "Lying for the Truth" a real expression among JW's or just something apostates or worldlies made up?
by InterestedOne 20 Replies latest jw friends
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Sharpie
Pretty much yes. Doesn't tell them to lie, but just to keep information away from those not deserving.
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wasblind
Yes Sharpie,
I was told the same thing during my study
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mouthy
I was told we do not have to tell the truth to those who dont deserve it.
which was any worldly people
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Mad Sweeney
In 40+ years in the Borg, I never once heard a JW say that phrase, "lying for the truth." It is what they DO, but they never say it so blatantly, in my experience.
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Gayle
I doubt they use the term "lie" though. May admit though they may not tell the whole truth about something though.
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wannabefree
No, Watchtower does not teach it is okay to lie, but that it is okay to leave out information if someone is not entitled to know about it, and if under these circumstances they draw the wrong conclusion, so what.
*** w92 12/15 p. 22 Why Is It So Easy to Lie? ***
A lie is defined as "1. a false statement or action, especially one made with intent to deceive . . . 2. anything that gives or is meant to give a false impression." The intention is to cause others to believe something that the liar knows is not the truth. By lies or half-truths, he strives to deceive those who are entitled to know the truth.*** w92 12/15 p. 23 Why Is It So Easy to Lie? ***
But what should be done in a situation where the truth might create an embarrassing situation or bad feelings? Lying never is the solution, but saying nothing sometimes is.*** w07 2/1 p. 6 Why Be Truthful? ***
What Is a Lie?
Every lie is an untruth, but not every untruth is a lie. Why not? A dictionary defines a lie as "an assertion of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue with intent to deceive." Yes, lying includes the intention to deceive someone. Hence, to speak an untruth unwittingly-such as giving someone incorrect facts or figures by mistake-is not the same as to tell a lie.Moreover, we need to consider whether the person asking for information is entitled to a comprehensive answer. For instance, suppose Manfred had been asked the same questions by an executive of another company. Would Manfred have been obliged to tell him everything? Not really. Since that executive had no right to such information, Manfred would have had no obligation to provide it. Of course, even in this case, it would have been wrong for him to tell a lie.
What example did Jesus Christ set in this regard? On one occasion, Jesus was conversing with some unbelievers who showed interest in his travel plans. "Pass on over from here and go into Judea," they advised him. What was Jesus' reply? "You go up to the festival [in Jerusalem]; I am not yet going up to this festival, because my due time has not yet fully come." Shortly thereafter, Jesus did travel to Jerusalem for the festival. Why did he answer that way? They were not entitled to know the exact details of his whereabouts. So while Jesus did not utter an untruth, he gave them an incomplete answer in order to limit the possible harm they could do to him or to his followers. This was not a lie, for the apostle Peter wrote about Christ: "He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth."-John 7:1-13; 1 Peter 2:22.
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TTWSYF
I often refer to lying for the' TRUTH ' tm as that was what my JW brother told me was the term used amongst themselves. He regretted it the moment he let it slip for obvious reasons.
I started a post about it a year ago or so and I couldn't believe the amount of people who came to it's defense. People likened it to a government that lied to it's people to keep panic down or to not give the enemy the right info in order to protect itself and other such nonsense.
Really, what legitimate organization, [business or religion] could have 'lying for the truth' as an operating proceedure?
dc
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hamsterbait
"Theocratic strategy" was what I was taught to call it.
When Abraham lied to Pharoah about his wife being his sister, the WT did not point out his lack of faith, and the bad consequences to others involved in this situation. They simply called it "this wise stratagem."
HB