Why do you feel the need to give a reason at all?

@PhilipKendall again the culture. Everybody asks.

"I'd prefer not to answer that question"

if you mention culture, pls mention which culture you work in. Cultures differ wildly, and for me, Id say it's fine to just mention the real reason. But im sure there are cultures where this is a nogo. Also, the acceptability of "white" lies differs between cultures.

"Is it OK to tell a small lie" is not a question about the workplace, it's about your religious and personal values.

@DJClayworth no I mean 100% workplace point of view. Sane reason why we can't say lies in CV.

@Benjamin ir'a Sri Lankan Indian cluture.

@PhilipKendall That really makes sense. And yes it sounds to be the answer.

As @DJClayworth said, this really isn't a workplace question. It's an interpersonal question. Or, if you really want to focus on the workplace, it's a question about YOUR particular workplace, which is also out of scope since we don't work there and have no way of knowing.

Attending festivals is against your religion, but telling lies isn't? Just trying to understand the context and options. Personally I can't attend many things from other religions, but I'm also not allowed to lie.

Why do you need to lie at all? What's wrong with the truth? Is there some persecution going on?

Makes me curious about the type of new year you celebrate. In my part of the world it's based on astronomy, not astrology, and that's a big difference. Is there a chance that you're misunderstanding its purpose?

@sandundhammika Are you willing to make a brief appearance for the pleasure of others, then leave quickly?

@GregoryCurrie feel free to do that if you want, in my own religion many people do NOT understand the tenets, years of training are provided to some who then act as advisors amongst other things . I just posed a question to understand the context. I'm not familiar with how other religions view dishonesty. I think all answers have widely missed the mark, but I cannot put my own as the question is closed.

@Kilisi Religion is a personal thing, with many interpretations of even the same sacred texts. I'm not sure TWP is a place where we can discuss someone's religion and reason about it. It's not our place to inform people of their own religion.

@GregoryCurrie I never said it was. I have no interest in discussing anyones specific religion including my own here. But religious dilemnas in a workplace context are not new and exotic. I'm going to hammer this open, many people face this issue all the time.

But why do you have to lie? What's wrong with saying the truth, that it's against your principles? Where is the harm or who are you harming in doing that?