Of course people tell the truth when it is convenient...silly.
I'm sorry if my post mislead you. I did not mean to suggest that I would lie under oath under any circumstances. I assumed that was clear from my earlier post on the subject.
When I was talking about "convenience," it was insignificant lies. For example, I'm going out to have some medical procedure and running late. My neighbor asks me where I am going. I could tell her the truth and risk a long involved discussion about my health and probably her Aunt Tillie's health as well as possibly worry her and be even later for my procedure, to boot, or I could just tell her I'm going shopping. That's the kind of convenient lie I had in mind. I'm sorry if it wasn't clear.
The question then is what value does telling the truth to some stranger in a robe have when the head of your daughter is on the chopping block, the home you have worked all your life to create is at stake, etc.
I cannot speak to such a conflict. When I was talking about lying under oath, I had in mind that I was in court as a witness or juror, as I have done both. It is inconceivable that I would be in court under any other circumstance so it wasn't a factor in my response and I have nothing to offer from my own experience.
Some people will not violate an oath even if their life, livelyhood, children, fortune, home, etc are at stake. You do not see a difference?
Some will and some won't. For those who won't, it does not matter if they have the added risk of eternal damnation. It's like going to McDonalds with a million bucks in your pocket. A few dollars at McDonalds is enough. The rest of the million is overkill. For those who will violate an oath, I can see where the risk of hell might make a difference. But for those who won't anyway, the hell threat is superfluous. |
