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The Lie

Writer's picture: jnwashington0905jnwashington0905

Updated: Oct 29, 2024


The Art of the Lie by John Grant google images


Obama's speeches, especially in moments like campaign rallies, are often powerful because they invite reflection on fundamental values like truth and character. His message about Donald Trump’s character—and the broader societal question about truth—seems to resonate with many, particularly in today’s polarized political environment. The questions he raises are profound: Does truth still matter? How do we, as a society, treat truth in the face of deception?

In recent years, truth has indeed become, for some, more subjective, with the advent of terms like "alternative facts" and the spread of misinformation on social media. What once seemed like a universal understanding of truth now appears to be splintering, with many accepting versions of reality that align with their political or ideological views, even if those views conflict with factual evidence.

Obama’s rhetorical question about our character as a people is meant to provoke introspection. Are we, as a nation, willing to confront lies, big or small, or have we become too comfortable with the blurring of truth? The "small lie" vs. "big lie" debate speaks to our willingness to rationalize dishonesty when it serves our purposes, or to excuse it if it seems harmless. But Obama seems to be warning that tolerating any lie, however minor, weakens the fabric of our democracy.

This idea connects to something larger: when we allow lies to proliferate without consequence, we erode trust in our institutions, leaders, and even each other. Whether it’s "just a small lie" or something larger, like the falsehoods that fueled claims about the 2020 election being stolen, the effects ripple outward. Obama’s speech thus serves as a reminder that truth is essential not just to politics but to the health of a democracy.

In essence, the degree of the lie may matter, but the underlying principle is the same: Truth must be defended. When it’s not, we risk losing not only the notion of truth itself but the integrity of the values that have long been pillars of American society—freedom, courage, and honesty.

So, to your question: Has truth become subjective? It appears that, for many, it has. But that doesn't mean we should accept it as such. The challenge Obama presents is whether we still have the moral courage to stand up for truth, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.

M. Scott Peck's People of the Lie examines how lying, especially when sustained by self-deception, is a manifestation of evil. Peck suggests that lying stems from the desire to appear good, even as one is engaged in wrongdoing. The liars he describes deceive not only others but also themselves, adding layers of self-deception. This refusal to face truth is the core of the issue, and in Peck’s view, it represents a form of evil that can become ingrained in one’s personality.

My question for us as Americans and as a society are we becoming corrupted in this way raises important concerns. Peck distinguishes between evil acts and the condition of being evil. Sin, as he describes it, is missing the moral mark, but the real danger lies in the refusal to acknowledge our sinfulness. It is in this denial, in the inability to confront our wrongdoing, that we risk contributing to something deeper—a collective moral decay.

When we fail to recognize and admit our own lies, both personal and societal, we open the door to a more pervasive form of evil. Peck notes that evil, especially when intertwined with malignant narcissism, exhibits specific behaviors: scapegoating, lashing out, and sacrificing others to protect a false self-image. These behaviors are often rationalized or even justified under the guise of righteousness, making them all the more dangerous. When people engage in hatred or destruction, claiming to act in the name of righteousness, they become blind to the harm they are inflicting.

This raises a critical point in the context of modern American society, especially in relation to movements like "Make America Great Again." The slogan suggests that America has lost its greatness, but as you point out, it overlooks a crucial truth: America’s foundation was built on the labor of slaves, immigrants, women, the poor, and the marginalized. To truly be great, a nation must reckon with its history and its present reality, and that requires an unflinching commitment to truth.

The danger lies in the collective lie—that America’s greatness can be restored without confronting the injustices that persist. When we perpetuate this lie, we become complicit in the very behaviors Peck associates with evil. It’s not merely a political issue; it is a moral and spiritual crisis that threatens to undermine the core values of the nation.

If we cannot face the truth about our history, our responsibilities, and the need for justice, we risk falling deeper into a culture of deception and denial. The question then becomes not just whether America has lost its greatness, but whether it can regain it without truth and integrity as guiding principles. Remember: "Truthfulness is the foundation of all virtues of the world of humanity". Bahai Faith

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