Reasons For Lying?

[goodlife]

People lie for many reasons. Some think they are obligated to lie about their abilities in order to get ahead in this competitive world.

Others try to cover up errors or guilt with lies. Still others falsify reports to give the impression that they have done work they have not done.

Then there are those who lie to damage another’s reputation, to avoid embarrassment, to justify previous lies, or to defraud people of their money.( Rev. 21:8)

[naomi24]

^^ That was to VE.

[sandyRoe]

If we are brainwashed where's the harm of letting us live life deluded in our fools paradises?

[naomi24]

sandyRoe, No, hum an om will do nicely.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om

[dunnitall]

No harm sandy just don't try to convert those who aren't brainwashed and try to understand where they are coming from?

[sandyRoe]

Um, I stand corrected.

[modeller]

Khandro Every time I suffered grief I knew full well there were many like me . In fact when I did speak to them it only made me feel worse. It just opened old wounds. All the Buddha achieved was to avoid having to really help. A bit like Jesus " Suffer little children to come unto me , but don't let them ask any awkward questions . "

[Khandro]

modeller; //what would you do with that tearful little girl. Send her to a dozen houses where pets were dying ?// Of course not, but one possibility is that you tell her that story. Later in life she just may be thankful.

[goodlife]

One United States delegate pointed out: If 40,000 Pets were dying every day, there would be outrage. But 40,000 children are dying, and it’s hardly noticed.
And you say brainwashed and you can't understand where they are coming from.

[naomi24]

Goodlife, first a professor and now a US delegate. Who are these unnamed people who so impress you? Do you know? Doubt it.

[modeller]

khandro She's 5 yrs old for heavens sake ,pardon the pun, she wouldn't understand the story unless it was explained and it would do nothing to console her, rather the contrary . You and other theists do have some funny ideas ! Pile on other peoples grief to make her feel better ? As if she didn't have enough sorrow of her own.

[Khandro]

modeller; The dilemma you faced was exacerbated by not having a religious basis to your life. It was answered by sandy (22:27 Wed 04 Sept) and by idiosyncracy (08:26 05th Sept) from a Christian perspective. A five year old should be well able to understand that everything begins, ends, and changes, a Buddhist may have explained (in simple terms) Karma and rebirth.
I have looked back through the thread, I may have missed something, but I don't think you have yet told us how in fact you replied to your grand- daughter's question.

[goodlife]

modeller-The Bible says: For everything there is an appointed time . . . a time for birth and a time to die.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2) If you have been raised as a Christian, you know the Bible’s teachings on why people die,and the condition of the dead.

[Khandro]

v_e; "Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's eye, but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration."
Johannes Brahms
Please consider this as you hum along.

[modeller]

Khandro //I may have missed something// You did ! Right next to yours page 5.

[modeller]

goodlife //For everything there is an appointed time . . . a time for birth and a time to die.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2)// Oh yeah ! Not much point in you ever praying then !

[Khandro]

modeller; //Not much point in you ever praying then !// Well there's certainly not much point in praying not to die!
Also; if only you could even just tentatively embrace religion, you could have told your grand daughter the "truth". :-)

[naomi24]

Why would one need to tentatively embrace religion in order to tell a child the truth? An unsubstantiated belief isn't necessarily the truth.

[Khandro]

naomi; If a person embraces Christianity, telling the child that her dog had gone to heaven would not conflict with their belief in the immortality of the soul, and would be truth for them. M. claims not to be a Christian (or belong to any other religion, I believe) therefore when he said the dog had gone to heaven he was telling a (self-confessed) lie.

[pixie373]

To be honest, i was told as a child that pets were in heaven, when they died. It didn't make me feel any better, because I wanted them with me.

[naomi24]

Khandro, I agree.

Goodlife, I see you have a new avatar. Are you really that dissatisfied with life?