Why Be TRUTHFUL?

AT 18 years of age, Manfred was an office trainee.  The company he worked  for arranged for him and several other trainees to attend a vocational college two days each week.  One day the class was dismissed earlier than scheduled.  According to company rules, the trainees were to go back to work for the rest of the day.  Instead , they all went off to have a good time, except Manfred, who returned to the workplace.  By coincidence, the company executive in charge of the trainees cam by.  When he saw Manfred, he asked:  "Why are you not in class today?  And where are the other trainees?"  How should Manfred respond?

Manfred's predicament is typical.  Should he tell the truth, or should he cover up for his classmates?  To give  a truthful answer would mean trouble for the others and make him unpopular.  Is it all right to tell a lie under those circumstances?  What would you have done?  We will return to Manfred later, but let us first consider what is involved when we are called upon to decide whether to speak the truth or not.

Next time: Why be  TRUTHFUL? - Truth and Untruth -A Fundamental Rivalry

The Watchtower, 2007