Randall Smith questions moral premise of lying to Nazis

Randall Smith is questioning the moral reasoning used by some modern theologians to justify lying in extreme circumstances. Writing for The Catholic Thing, Smith addressed the common argument that lying is permissible when hiding people from Nazis because the perpetrators do not have a right to the truth.

Smith expressed concern that accepting outright lying in these scenarios undermines broader moral principles. He argued that such moral riddles are often constructed to weaken ethical standards, suggesting that if lying to Nazis is permitted, it becomes difficult to argue that all lying is wrong. He also questioned the practical premises of these scenarios, noting that in historical contexts, such actors often used force rather than asking questions.