I used the examples of parental lying mostly because they were already being discussed in the comments section and I wanted to address a few points all at once. Also, because almost anyone can relate to being lied to as a child by an adult. It’s often viewed as harmless fun or a way to teach children a valuable lesson. I call it scare tactics.

Why did you eat your roommate’s food and still have time to replace it before she noticed? If she wouldn’t care that you borrowed something from her then you have no need to lie. If she would care, and you obviously have no rights to her food, then eating and replacing her food is not ok—especially if you have time to go to the store and buy what you’ve used before she gets back to notice. Just tell her the truth. If your roommate gets angry because you ate her food—then she gets angry. I think the whole debate comes down to respect and communication. If you respected her, you would tell the truth and if she resected you, she would forgive you for your small offense.

To me, there is no acceptable form of lying. To each their own, but I’m very black and white on the topic. Essentially what you’re saying (the collective we, not necessarily you specifically) is that if you chose to lie—and it is a choice—then the consequences for telling the truth must be worse than the lie. I think that is a matter of perspective. Who are the consequences worse for when lie is told? Probably the person being told the lie.