TRUTHFULNESS Expected Only of Others?

"I HATE lies, and i hate being lied to!"  Exclaimed a 16-year-old girl.  Most of us feel the same way.  We like to think that information given to us-whether by word of mouth or in written form-is truthful.  But do we tell the truth when we pass information on to others?

In a survey carried out in Germany the vast majority  of the respondents felt that 'lying on minor issues to protect oneself or to protect others from harm is permissible, yes, even necessary so that people get along with one another."  And one Journalist wrote:  "To tell the truth and only the truth at all times is a noble ideal but boring."

Could it be that we prefer that other people speak the truth yet feel that we at times have good reason not to speak the truth ourselves?  Does it matter whether we tell the truth or not?  What are the consequences of speaking what is not true? 

Next time: TRUTHFULNESS  Expected Only of Others? - Damage Done by Untruth

The Watchtower, 2002