Pious Fraud
From SkepticWiki
- “The scriptures show that for the purpose of protecting the interests of God’s cause, it is proper to hide the truth from God’s enemies.” -- The Watchtower, June 1, 1960
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[edit] Definition
Pious fraud is a deceit motivated by religious zeal. More generally, pious fraud may be considered a deceit done “for a higher purpose”, or perhaps in the interests of the decieved. By contrast, fraud in the ordinary sense is generally motivated by some type of unfair benefit for the deceiver only, at the expense of the deceived.
[edit] Examples
An example of pious fraud might be creating a hoaxed miracle, intending perhaps to strengthen the faith of thousands, or to win converts and save souls.
[edit] Discussion
For such a great benefit as “salvation”, small harmless lies may appear justified. However most religious doctrines have strong prohibitions against “bearing false witness”, placing the morality of engaging in pious fraud on difficult ground. At the heart of this problem is whether, in the spiritual economy, the ends justify the means.
