The Eighth Commandment Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor

Truthfulness Virtue which involves being true in deeds and words, and guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy. Virtue which involves being true in deeds and words, and guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy. Ancient philosophers emphasized reason and the love of truth. Ancient philosophers emphasized reason and the love of truth. The legacy of rational knowledge, Roman law, and monotheism (Israel) has been passed down to us. The legacy of rational knowledge, Roman law, and monotheism (Israel) has been passed down to us.

Truth in the Old Testament Found in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Found in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Protects the dignity of the person, since truth is necessary for social interaction. Protects the dignity of the person, since truth is necessary for social interaction. Revelation – the truth of God about himself, the meaning of human existence, and he value and end of all creation. Revelation – the truth of God about himself, the meaning of human existence, and he value and end of all creation.

Truth in the New Testament Truth – often discussed in the gospel of John. Truth – often discussed in the gospel of John. Word, full of grace and truth Word, full of grace and truth I am the way, the truth, and the life. I am the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus bears witness to the truth (Pilate) Jesus bears witness to the truth (Pilate) Holy Spirit – leads into all the truth Holy Spirit – leads into all the truth

Truth and freedom The truth will set you free. The truth will set you free. Truth consists of following and accepting the doctrines of Christ. Truth consists of following and accepting the doctrines of Christ. The way to reach freedom is to seek to know the truth. The way to reach freedom is to seek to know the truth. The Holy Spirit and the magisterium guide us in the search for truth. The Holy Spirit and the magisterium guide us in the search for truth.

Spreading the truth Spreading of Christian truth Spreading of Christian truth Communication of the truth in social life. Communication of the truth in social life. Revelation of a secret to obtain a social good (with the exception of professional secrets) Revelation of a secret to obtain a social good (with the exception of professional secrets)

Telling a lie To lie is to speak against the truth in order to induce a person entitled to the truth into error. To lie is to speak against the truth in order to induce a person entitled to the truth into error. Saying what is contrary of what is thought or known Saying what is contrary of what is thought or known Intention of leading the listener into error Intention of leading the listener into error

Effects of lying Damage to the one who tells the lie – shows lack of fortitude and the inability to accept consequences Damage to the one who tells the lie – shows lack of fortitude and the inability to accept consequences Damage to human relations Damage to human relations Damages society Damages society

Gravity of a lie The object of the lie The object of the lie Intention Intention Circumstances that motivate the lie Circumstances that motivate the lie Effects of the lie Effects of the lie

Sins against another’s reputation Calumny – telling an untruth about another; accusing him of something of which he is not guilty Calumny – telling an untruth about another; accusing him of something of which he is not guilty Detraction – telling a harmful truth about someone who does not have the right to know Detraction – telling a harmful truth about someone who does not have the right to know Rash judgment – judgment which attributes a moral defect to a person without sufficient reason Rash judgment – judgment which attributes a moral defect to a person without sufficient reason

Reparation Lies are sins not only against truth and charity, but also against justice. Lies are sins not only against truth and charity, but also against justice. Justice demands reparation. Justice demands reparation.

Secrets We are obliged to keep a secret We are obliged to keep a secret When the good of our neighbor demands it When the good of our neighbor demands it When we have promised to keep it When we have promised to keep it When our profession or office requires When our profession or office requires We are obliged to reveal a secret when it is necessary to correct a wrong to avoid a harm to the common good to avoid a harm to the common good Professional secrets are seriously binding.