Lying. We all do it. But yet, no one likes being lied to. Are we all just big hypocrites. Or, if in a world where lying is normal, is it just karma biting back?
Ricky Gervais (who I loathe) released a movie a while back entitled 'The Invention Of Lying'. I (fortunately) have not had the (dis)pleasure of seeing it. But I believe it is about a world where nobody can lie, save for the character Gervais plays. All hateful biased aside, it is an interesting idea, no matter how much I dispise the lead...
Thinking about it, would you like to live a life where nobody can lie? Not even about their inner, most private thoughts. These could range from an affair to a murder, or something more mundane like what we want to eat. Or, if you are going to be completely honest, all the things that you would like to do to Cheryl Cole, but even thinking about them may get you arrested.
Jesting in bad taste aside (for now) would it really be terrible if we were all honest with each other? Sometimes it could be a good thing to tell a lie. Couldn't it? For example 'Does my bum look big in this?' asks the wife. If the husband says' yes, your bottom looks huge', then divorce may be on the cards. Whereas, if he answers 'no, it looks perfect' then everything remains hunky-dory and, without insinuating anything about gender, there may be a happy ending to the evening.
*Note, I'm not saying all women are concerned about their bums being big or that having a big bum is a bad thing.
So, a little white-lie here and there may save a marriage, while an affair may destroy it. There are two sides to this particularly deceptive coin. However, is it not up to the individual and their judgement? And, if so, who are we to judge someone elses actions?
Nobody.
Will that stop us? No. We constantly judge people. To prove that to you, I point out Susan Boyle when she first walked on that stage. We all thought 'sit down dear, we'll call the hospital to send sonmebody up. No Susan, not on the floor...'
I digest. (Digress)
One thought I've had is that we are not judging the liar on their deception. But rather on their ability to lie. After all, we wouldn't think anything about it if we believed the lie. Would we? Therefore giving the liar top marks!
BUT...
...What if you are the person being lied to. Would you rather know the
truth and have, for example, doctors tell you that you will die tomorrow and be unable
to stop it, but they have granted you that final chance to say good-bye to your
loved ones. Or, would you prefer to be in the dark and to spontaniously
die, without having to worry yourself about it?
Obviously, we would all prefer not to die full-stop and I am using extreme hyperbole here. I assume it would be personal preferance, but I would prefer to say good-bye. Especially to my Mum, right after I've updated my Facebook status...
All in all, lying is bad, morally wrong and a sin. (Says so in the Bible, Revelation 21:8 )
But even after learning that, we will all still do it. Won't we?
If you'd like to voice your opinion on lying, this blog or anything in particular, feel free.
If you did not like this post, then have a listen to Anastacia's song 'Why'd You Lie To Me' to cheer yourself up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJPcABsojlU&ob=av2e
