The average person lies once in every 3 to 5 minutes of conversation

Here is a Q&A on the topic of whether it is permissable to ever lie..even in situations of death. Following the Q&A, I have included a story about the consequences of one man's lie (unfortunately, when I saved this a few years ago, I forgot to write down the name of the man who related this story).

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QUESTION from Tim:

Father, could you clarify lying and double-effect. If Henry VIII's officers came to your house and asked if you were hiding priests, would you say "no"?. If Hitler's officers came to your monastery and asked if you were hiding Jєωs, would you say "no"?

ANSWER by Fr. Torraco:

You are correct in stating that we are not obliged to give the truth to those who will abuse it and who therefore have no right to it. However, withholding the truth, or even diverting from the truth, both of which is morally justifiable in these circuмstances, is not lying, which cannot be morally justified. One cannot do evil in order to accomplish good. This is why the principle of double effect does not apply to lying. Lying is evil in and of itself, sometimes venially, sometimes mortally. If someone answered Henry VIII's officers by saying "no", that would be understandable, but it would not be morally justifiable.

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Let me tell you a story. This is a story I told in a Bible Study Class one time.

A man is out of work for more than a year. His wife is struggling with a low level and underpaid part time job. It is all she can find. The husband sometimes finds temporary work, but nothing that pays well and nothing permanent.

The kids shoes are wearing out, they need clothes, a winter coat, etc. etc. Sometimes supper is not filling.

The man applies for more than 100 jobs without even once getting an interview. In each application a question is asked, "Have you been convicted of a felony?". This man was convicted of a felony many years ago. It was an isolated situation. It never happened before or since, but it did happen.

He believes that the reason he is not even getting an interview is that he is answering the question honestly like a good Christian should..

But he is in anguish to see his children in rags and humiliated at school, and their hungry faces.

He has been praying for a job, but after one year and 100 applications nothing is happening.

Finally, in frustration he gives in and lies on the next application he fills out. The application is for a convenience store making $8.00 per hour to start.

He gets the job right away!

Soon he is able to provide for his family in a much better way. The job is still not well paid, perhaps, but it is enough and he can work his way up to $30,000 per year within about 5 years.

It seems to be an answer to a prayer.

Was his lie justified?


What this man did not know, but God knew, was that if he had told the truth just ONE MORE TIME and thus been turned down for the $8.00/hr job at the convenience store, he would have gone to the business next door to apply for work.

What God knew, but the man did not, is that the business owner next door was LOOKING FOR ex-cons to hire. He wanted to reach out to felons and give them a chance. And the starting wage? Well, the starting wage was $30,000/year. And furthermore, the job was in an area that the man wanted to work in.

This man ROBBED God of the gift that He had for him. The gift of being rewarded for telling the truth and hanging in there in the faith.

We do not know what is around the corner, but God does. We should not rob God of the gift He has for us around the corner by taking our own direction and thereby never walking around that corner into God's loving arms.

P.S. Perhaps I should not reveal the background of this story. I have never revealed this information publicly before, but I feel lead to do it now. This story is fiction, sort-of. It is based upon the real life experiences of a person who committed a one-time stupid act many, many years ago. That person was me. God will honor our fidelity to truth, which means to Him who is Truth, the Way, and the Life.

Short answer is that lying is a sin. The question must be answered truthfully. There can be no question about it. One might leave it blank, though, so that an opportunity to explain is presented. It could be an opportunity for evangelization. But in NO WAY, should a person lie -- even on a job application.

How does he know that if he hadn't lied, he would've had a better offer next?

Clare.

My brother-in-law is a convicted felon with at least three felonies.  In this situation, it is best to start one's own business, unless, of course, you are a corporate executive who is "in the know."

The advice I got about finding a job from someone in the Legion of Mary:

"Go scrub toilets"

Some of these people at these chapels aren't quite right in the head.

Are you unemployed right now, Tele, or was this past-tense?

Take a shot and throw your situation out there and see if anyone here has any real advice for you.

I gather you're a math teacher from the bits you've thrown out that I've read.

I tutor sometimes.  Not for a while recently.  I've made more money than ever before (which isn't a whole lot) by borrowing money to invest.

Right now I'm trying to practice and study.  

It's almost impossible for an honest person who's down on their luck to get a chance.

Yes exactly. That attaining to employment nowadays is always based on merit and good character is a fairy tale.

Employers are especially hesitant to hire those whose intellectual abilities and expertise could potentially threaten their own position. They opt for persons of inferior intellect , morals and experience, persons whom they can more easily control.

Telesphorus,
Have you tried applying to the Sylvan Learning Centers or the businesses that tutor kids for the SAT or ACT tests?

I tried working for a business like that before but it was far away from home and I don't agree with their practices - they charge way too much (compared to what they pay the tutor) and expect you to teach multiple students at a time.  It's much better to tutor students on my own.

At any rate, a job like that is a road to nowhere.  As are almost all other such jobs close to minimum wage.

Last year I took the LSAT but I didn't do well enough (only scored in the 95th percentile) to compensate for my work and grade history.  And Law School is a huge investment of time and money for an uncertain return.

As for getting a job as a teacher, the moment I got into shape the high school girls would be a serious nuisance - I'm not going to go to prison because some crazy girl tells some lie about me.  And I know this: No one believes you when they do.

Telesphorus,
I'm sure you are praying to St. Joseph for your job situation.  To St. Joseph nothing is refused. He's been a tremendous help to us over the years, and the Holy Family, St. Philomena, St. Anne, St. Joachim etc. St. Philomena and St. Gertrude are also known as the Saints to Whom nothing is refused by Our Lord.

Our list of heavenly helpers is very very long and since it's bedtime, I'll just end with the Poor Souls.  We do quite a bit of bargaining with the poor souls: a Mass or Rosaries for our requests being answered.  
You are remembered in our prayers.