Michael and Dwight.. I agree with your principles but tell me, where as a society do we draw the line. Lets not get crazy with this discussion because it really isn't clear cut.
Certainly court testimony is a level of testing. What of other lies, much of life is a subtle deception.. nor am I twisting words here. Men lie to women on their promises and achievements, women lie to men. Do we eventually ban breast implants?
Do we only hold the line at courtroom or deposition lies for dismissal of those in office, or are other lies grounds? Gingrich, Lyndon Johnson with the Vietnam War, Mayor Daly, etc.
What of honesty in the Church? In a confessional does one first grill the Priest, then find out the source of the money, even contributions from possible criminal sources that built the church before rejecting God? What are the lines between lies, retribution, forgiveness, faith and moving on with the present?
There are absolute responses to all of these issues and there are practical solutions. Remember the phrase "Time Waits for No Man." The same is true of the present, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, next two years.... there's work not being done, which is also a betrayal of responsibility.
I know a couple, as I'm sure you do, that argued with such anger over a five year period that their children were taken from them and they lost their home. Looking back it was because he lied about an office relationship and she lied about her's with her attorney. The suffering exceeded the lies, that's the truth. |