Folks

Is this content of the Talmud news to anyone else?

I just came across it the other day. It was the lying for the Lord bit that I found familiar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n90p6ZVuWJk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u5FwOK3ylo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA-JCLYeDro

Cheers

Some time ago I came across an entire website that had collected quotations from Christian and Jewish sources over the centuries, all condoning "lying for the Lord". I remember particularly one from Martin Luther:


"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."

Here's the link:
http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/lying.htm

I think it's just a very human trait to justify lying (and other bad behavior) in some way that lets us feel like we aren't jerks. And the idea that "I'm hurting you for your own good" is very common.

"Princes who set little store by their word but have known how to over-reach men by their cunning have accomplished great things, and in the end got the better of those who trusted to honest dealing.

The prince must be a lion, but he must also know how to play the fox.

He who wishes to deceive will never fail to find willing dupes.

The prince, in short, ought not to quit good courses if he can help it, but should know how to follow evil courses if he must."

from "THE PRINCE" by MACHIAVELLI