http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sockpuppet_(Internet)
What harm do lies do?
Lies obviously hurt the person who is lied to (most of the time), but they can also hurt the liar, and society in general.
The person who is lied to suffers if they don't find out because:
* They are deprived of some control over their future because
o They can no longer make an informed choice about the issue concerned
o They are not fully informed about their possible courses of action
o They may make a decision that they would not otherwise have made
* They may suffer damage as a result of the lie
The person who is lied to suffers if they do find out because:
* They feel badly treated - deceived and manipulated, and regarded as a person who doesn't deserve the truth
* They see the damage they have suffered
* They doubt their own ability to assess truth and make decisions
* They become untrusting and uncertain and this too damages their ability to make free and informed choices
* They may seek revenge
The liar is hurt because:
* He has to remember the lies he's told
o He must act in conformity with the lies
o He may have to tell more lies to avoid being found out
* He has to be wary of those he's lied to
* His long-term credibility is at risk
o He will probably suffer harm if he's found out
o If he's found out, people are more likely to lie to him
o If he's found out he's less likely to be believed in future
* His own view of his integrity is damaged
* He may find it easier to lie again or to do other wrongs
Those who tell 'good lies' don't generally suffer these consequences - although they may do so on some occasions.
Society is hurt because:
* The general level of truthfulness falls - other people may be encouraged to lie
* Lying may become a generally accepted practice in some quarters
* It becomes harder for people to trust each other or the institutions of society
* Social cohesion is weakened
* Eventually no-one is able to believe anyone else and society collapses
BBC - Religion & Ethics - Lying: Lying and truth-telling
He's not the messiah, he's a very bad boy.
EDIT
Oops, I mean 'He's a very naughty boy'.
