When Moral Laws Collide (4)
Our mid-January podcast features one very tough ethics question, about moral rules in conflict. We present a case study from The Hiding Place, a classic story about Nazi-occupied Holland during World War II.
You are hiding political refugees in your house, and soldiers knock on your door. Do you lie to the soldiers to save a life, or do you tell the truth, putting your guests at risk? Two duties are in conflict: the duty to tell the truth, and the duty to preserve life. How do you decide?
Special thanks to Aaron Costerisan, this year’s Center for Bioethics Fellow, who joined in the discussion.
Sources and Links:
- Moral Conflicts, by Nathan Ramsey (CedarEthics Online)
- Moral Dilemmas (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
- The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom
Theme Music: Gli Uccelli (The Birds), Part I. Prelude (Allegro moderato), by Respighi, courtesy of Shockwave Sound
Special Music: ‘The Sanctuary’ by Paul Lisney
Music Bumpers:
- ‘Sleep Soond I’da Moarnin’ by Kim Robertson
- ‘Simple Lyric’ by Carline Lavelle
Except as noted, all music courtesy of The Podsafe Music Network and IODA Promonet.
To listen, just click on the player below (click on the “Audio MP3″ button if the player doesn’t appear).
Podcast Alley{pca-736855c6889f8515afc76b007c672534
Fr. Wayne McNamara wrote,
Every true lie is a child of The Lie: Man may think and act in contradiction to Life Himself, contrary to the Creator’s design, and live. He may choke the pathway of true life coming from God and heaven (worshipful obedience) and look to himself, believing there is true life in creation alone. He convinces himself of his own infallible sovereignty; he makes himself a ‘god’ and manipulates the world and others to create a heaven on earth of his own design.
Truth is whatever contradicts this lying, murderous impulse first found in Satan and then in fallen mankind. Truth is what affirms the person, character, and nature of Christ, the Creator.
To betray the ‘innocent’ by accurately representing the facts of a situation is to abet demonically inspired destroyers. It leads to increased wickedness and bloodguiltiness.
To misrepresent the facts is to contradict and hopefully prevent wickedness, thwart or even stay the destroyer, and affirm life and the commandment of God. And…in the end, it is an act of love toward those who would kill, destroy, and bear the guilt of those sins. “To lie” (misrepresent the facts) in this situation is really the truth affriming act. It is the only way to speak Truth into the situation (by word and deed).
So much to say, so little time. I have said just enough, and that poorly, to get me in trouble. But it is all I have time for.
Link | January 29th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Hennie Eybers wrote,
The Holy Spirit will lead you to the correct answer at that time and whether you lie to the soldiers or not, as long as you do the will of the Lord. His plan is greater than our imagination. Imagine leading your own son to be sacrificed, because the Lord asked you to…
The Lord tests our hearts, and our thoughts. His laws are written in our hearts and our minds.
Link | July 11th, 2007 at 6:36 am
Dealing With Moral Conflicts « Human Bioethics wrote,
[...] Podcast link [...]
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 12:42 pm