Why Christians Lie

NOTE: The following is something I posted in a message group last year. I am posting it here now because of a recent message group incident, where a theist has been posing as an atheist, while disseminating recriminations and absurd distortions of atheism, science, and the theory of evolution. Lest we forget:

Whether its claiming prayer cured them from AIDS, or spontaneously healed their severed spinal column; or swearing they have seen /spoken to Jebus, or angels, or Satan (pick one or more); or avoid providing support for thoughtless and unsubstantiated statements offered as fact; or distorting scientific proofs by inventing inaccurate characterizations (i.e. "Evolution says men came from monkeys"; "many scientists believe in ID"), it appears theists just have a problem with honesty.

While some of it may be attributed to hyper-religiosity (an accepted clinical term associated with schizophrenia), or just plain ignorance, there seems to be a propensity toward intentional deception. My studied opinion is that when a theistic assertion cannot be supported by evidence; or when they are faced with irrefutable proof of scientific theory, or the logic of a rational mind they have nothing left except distortion with which to defend their position / belief. They lie out of desperation to protect their faith. It’s virtually a reflex.

More than one eminent theist has endorsed lying to promulgate the faith:

"How it may be Lawful and Fitting to use Falsehood as a Medicine, and for the Benefit of those who Want to be Deceived." Bishop Eusebius, 4th century Christian scholar

"Do you see the advantage of deceit?

... For great is the value of deceit, provided it be not introduced with a mischievous intention. In fact action of this kind ought not to be called deceit, but rather a kind of good management, cleverness and skill, capable of finding out ways where resources fail, and making up for the defects of the mind ...

And often it is necessary to deceive, and to do the greatest benefits by means of this device, whereas he who has gone by a straight course has done great mischief to the person whom he has not deceived." John Chrysostom, 5th century theologian, Treatise On The Priesthood, Book 1

"We should always be disposed to believe that which appears to us to be white is really black, if the hierarchy of the church so decides." Ignatius Loyola, 16th century founder of the Jesuits

and finally this doozie...

"What harm would it do, if a man told a good strong lie for the sake of the good and for the Christian church ... a lie out of necessity, a useful lie, a helpful lie, such lies would not be against God, he would accept them." Martin Luther, 16th century theologian, monk, Christian reformer, rabid anti-Semite

Add to this the forgeries of documents and re-writing of history by Christians and lying is clearly not only very Christian, it’s a veritable sacrament.