Let’s all start learning to tell the truth, all the time

Surely the nastiest of all human imperfections is intentionally bearing false witness. Nothing creates greater mischief and misery in human relations, nor sabotages conscientious justice, government and military operations faster, nor makes scientific pronouncements a bigger joke.

Prohibitions against bearing false witness — being dishonest — can be found in all living religions and moral philosophies. “Thou shalt not bear false witness” is one of the 10 Commandments — a cornerstone of Christianity and Judaism. Islam’s Koran (Surah XXV #72) states: “And they who do not bear witness to what is false, and when they pass by what is vain, they pass by nobly.” The founder of Scientology — a religious philosophy — in his book “Introduction to Scientology Ethics” points out: “Freedom is for honest people. … The right of a person to survive is directly related to his honesty. Freedom for Man does not mean freedom to injure Man. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to harm by lies.” Benjamin Franklin, in his book “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” recommends: “Honesty is the best policy.”

People intentionally bearing false witness a lot — in the form of lies, half-truths or misusing government secrecy — prostitute themselves to evil. Let Jesus (Mathew 15.18-20) explain.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things that defile a man.”

There is a curious thing about sinning. The more you a commit a particular sin like bearing false witness, the more you make excuses for why it’s not sinning. Naturally, you become highly offended if anyone challenges your excuses. You know you’re right. Then you easily become embroiled in the interpersonal, work, and government hostilities that life often consists of. My, my, what pitiful traps we humans weave for ourselves.

Personally applied moral discipline has always been the path to extricating oneself from the chronic miseries and sufferings of life. All living religions and philosophies agree. But obtaining self-originated willingness to do this has always been the trouble. Even God, Allah, the Creator, etc. — promising heaven/eternal life or threatening forms of eternal damnation — can’t always gain this vital human willingness for working at being happier. This is even when it’s partly just working at bearing false witness less. And encouraging or offering to help those you care for and your government officials to do likewise.

Do you have a minister, counselor, or friend you can trust to help you explore for any compulsions behind bearing false witness, or being dishonest with yourself, or condoning the wreckage this sin is creating? I pray to Almighty God that you’ll go visit that person.

Stuart Thompson lives in Wasilla and finds that his conscience is a rewarding interface with God.