Public Lies

This column will have news or views spoken primarily through the media and the public arena that do not measure up to the truth, or at least the whole picture, which can be a type of lie, too.

The statements will be brief and succinct. At times there will be a link to verify. You may also want to google your own verification.


Lie: God does not really have significant plans for the people of Israel.

Lie: The Massachusetts elections revealed that politicians never live in denial and always know what they are talking about.

Lie: It's not possilble a popularly elected world leader could show clear denial in an obvious political defeat.

Lie: The current administration in Washington really cares about Jerusalem, the capital city of the Jewish state. You know. The city that's described in the Bible as belonging to the Jews.

Lie: There is no way, absolutely none at all, that Bob Dylan's Must Be Santa music video could in any way be about Barack Obama. Never mind that we see a shot of the front of the house that eerily looks like the White House. Never mind that Obama thinks he is Santa, of course! Entering where he's not wanted, throwin' out the goodies whether we want 'em or not, crashing our freedom lovin' party, heading into the night leavin' more damage than when he entered; but still the freedom lover's fun prevails undisturbed and we look on curious and amused and maybe a bit perturbed. After all, we're free! But the video from Dylan about Obama that way even though the party crasher enters while all those U. S. presidents are mentioned in the song? No way! But go ahead. Call me a liar.

Lie: You will never find a well known atheist change his mind about an intelligence behind our origins.

Lie: GPS systems orbiting earth are adjusted to take into account Einstein's general theory of relativity so people won't get wrong directions. (This lie was recently verified to me personally by the scientific engineer, now retired, in charge of the navigational system of the New Horizons spacecraft on its way to Pluto; and the navigational system of the spacecraft that made the unscheduled landing on an asteroid within the last several years. He served for many years in the Space Department at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab near Baltimore, MD. He is not the man who wrote the above linked article.)

Lie: It is a scientific certainty that the world is billions of years old.

Lie: People can trust the media more than ever now!

Lie: National health care will give Americans basic consumer protections that will finally hold insurance companies accountable.

Lie: CNN is always fair and balanced.

Lie: Fox News always puts things in proper context.

Lie: Senator on Senate Energy Committe feels global warming when she flies.

Lie: The Health Care Bill does not have to be read carefully.

Lie: "Planned Parenthood" only lies about abortion and is never abusive.

Lie: There are times one should be politically correct.

Personal Lies

This column will address the ways we often lie to others and ourselves in order to be accepted. There is no freedom there. How can there be? If we are not free to be ourselves in the liberating life God made us for, how can we have meaning, purpose, and ultimate fulfillment in life? We cannot. So, check back here, too.

Again, these will be brief thoughts for more personal reflection. There might be a link. There should at least be good reasons for truth to fill that place of need in your mind and heart.


Lie: I am good enough to go to heaven on my own merit.

Lie: I can go ahead and leave that little bit of exaggeration in there because it is not that big of a deal even though it makes what I said look and feel more significant than it is.

Lie: I can blame my lack of commitment to the truth on an illness I think I have but don't really.

Lie: I can lie at times just to avoid an argument.

Lie: How I look has to be like a small percentage of people so I can have significance and power.

Lie: I need to lie at times so my dreams will be realized.

Lie: I can lie when it benefits me because everybody else is doing it.

Lie: God does not really care if I lie and He understands anyway.

The Purpose

We would be surprised to discover how many lies fly our way through the media and public discourse. When we stop and think about it, it can be more surprising and embarrassing to discover that we as individuals accept those lies for reasons that in themselves are not even true. We should want to break free and see clearly at every turn in our lives. There is nothing like a clear conscience to help us breathe easy and see truth before us.

The Openness

Consider this a safe place to ask the question. Perhaps you are wondering about an issue much talked about. Maybe there is something personal where you want to know what even a so-called little lie can do to you. Perhaps you have come to the right place.

The Response

You can just call me Steve. I have been in the ministry for about twenty years and am also a veteran radio broadcaster from different cities here in the US. I have been exposed to the subtleties and manipulation too often communicated that can only be described as lying. I would be glad to hear from you with your question about lying and why it is always a pitfall in our lives and relationships, and why it will always negatively affect our personalities. Maybe I can help you avoid harm, while at the same time help you avoid being unnecessarily suspicious of others. Just respond to the email link below. Freedom in this area brings joy and peace and enables us to truly care for others.