straight talk

What Is It About the Truth?



Posted: Thursday, August 27, 2009

by straight talk

I think that the title poses an interesting question when one considers the factors surrounding truth. What do I mean? I have written to this before and do not expect many to be interested because well as they saying goes from the late Walter Cronkite, " and that's the way it is." Well I think it is safe to say that a majority of parents in a child's formative years emphasizes truth with their children, not all, but most. I cannot speak for other cultures but I do believe in Western nations this is a faith assumption. I also believe it is based on religious and other basic human fundamentals. At least that is the way it used to be. However, I recall a well known book "The Brotherhood of Lies" that was out a few years back concerning circles of power and influence and ideology which spoke about this predominant corruption. Yes it is corruption since once caught up in lying it becomes ingrained into ones character. It is absorbed into the fabric of a person as being acceptable and normal, hence the term "born liar." You see we do recognize that once this happens there is no lie large enough and everything is open to it.

Yet, like character, one of the elements, this is not evidently found in today's society any longer it is widespread. Yes and some cultures and even religions have no problem speaking lies, or fabrications or half truths if it serves their purpose. As example, a recent survey in a recognized liberal newspaper speaking about truth and leadership posted this information. They stated and to paraphrase them that people spoke the total truth less then 50% of the time. I am and they are most likely being generous in my opinion in saying that. In fact they stated our leaders spoke the truth about 27% or less most of the time. However, in many cases most of the truth, reality, fact was left out, omitted, never spoken of, mentioned, ignored. I guess Paul Harvey had the right idea when he made a career out of that character trait in people? So what does that say about the rest of us? Are we any perfect or less prone to lie, omit, distort, fabricate?

So back to the beginning when parents most likely would teach their children that, "telling a lie is bad", "always tell mom the truth", "never lie", "there is no such thing as a white lie, a lie is a lie." Yes and they even lied because they would say things like "your tongue will turn black, etc." Yet evidently and I use evidently even though in my opinion we are all guilty of it and to be fair to the few who think they are, or just might be, really, perfectly honest. As for the rest it seems to be a built in flaw in every single one of us because to say we never spoke a lie, omitted information, told a half truth, embellished the story would most likely be a lie in of itself. So one can presume it is safe to say "all men are liars" or a very significant portion thereof; for political correctness of course.

So why do we teach our children this when in life they may be destroyed by the lie? "I love you" when it may mean I want to have sex with you or use you for my own selfishness? Certainly the sale of an item brings into mind the "omission", the "fabrication" words, all acceptable, yes acceptable to make the sale. So really, when God says all men are liars, what is so hard to understand when the truth, yes I know, the truth is so hard to accept. Now, you disagree, well if this is a fact, truth, that we want it, yearn for it, desire it, demand it then how, and this is a fair question given that assumption, how do we build a relationship formed on the basis of trust when that is just not there or lacking? What is it that gives us the confidence that at least most of the time a person can be presumed to be truthful, accurate, not leaving anything out or embellishing what is being stated? Well the only thing is track record. Yes the deeds that builds ones confidence in someone to make them "trust" them. How do you form trust?

So it is fair in my opinion to say that in one's arrogance, pride and deceit, because there is no other words for lies one accepts and does the things which many identify and call sin and they do it regularly and without thought or hesitation as part of their very self, being. Yes hard to take but true. Now sadly many do not see that in the same "light." They have no need to repent or seek God because in their perspective, belief, opinion there is no sin involved and many place themselves on the same plain as God. Qualifying that to themselves as acceptable by claiming it as God given ability and if God didn't want us to have this capability he never would have given it to us? So as I stated they do not fear God because all is acceptable and forgiven in their individual perspective.

So lets drift back to works. Well in my opinion fearing God is not merely professing it. No it is in ones works. Once lets ask, just how can one say they fear God when they allow outwardly God's defined sin? A sin that God spoke to numerous times. That sin which is quite obvious is, usury. Yes they allowed it, created it to blossom and destroy? Certainly and as well, it is not even an honorable thing in the unbelievers perspective., yet these leaders actually make it legal, support, condone and allow it and never dare to mention it or speak to it and when directly asked about it deflect it or redirect it and even have the gall to suggest it as being in the light.

Now, one can go down the list but why bother? You either have to comprehend what I am saying or is it possible that you are no more then them? Only you know where your heart and mind is, what it readily accepts and why. Are we all as I have stated, are we all fallen? Once again, let me explain. The fact that a recent new bill concerning Credit Cards was hailed mind you as a step in the right direction for the consumer it never spoke to the abuse, greed, destruction of people and our nation now and which continues. That it doers little to nothing now to help people. No, yet defenders say what a marvelous bill. Yes meaningless, truth, reality because it does not address the past abuses and what was allowed and it allows it to continue even while more people are destroyed. It solves nothing of the corruption of bankruptcy on unsecured debt or those who work the system on behalf of these lenders and work it they do at every level even while some profess and understand quite well what I write to is fact. Yes the great majority of people ignore, omit, and condone under the guise of being good and decent.

So once a person is labeled and identified as a liar, a thief, a crook, dishonest what makes anyone think that even swearing on a bible will make that person speak the truth? What makes anyone think the prosecutors, the defense lawyers or for that matter anyone, including a religious will as well? No it is only in the deeds and works of an individual and it shows in their character, integrity, which translates into works, not mere words or empty promises or professions, that we can place some trust in . Now keep in mind they are rarely asked to swear only the defendant. Yes these people who in my opinion lure in, entrap and destroy through sin. So that person is identified, labeled and assumed to be prior to anything ever happening while they, well they stand in the light, really. In my opinion only by the definition of man.

So as citizens we must be extra careful, guarded, caring about those we place into office, yes and those we work with and for and those we interact with be they individuals or even nations or entities. Do we do this, well the "proof of the pudding" as they say all about us. Sadly, no, we are a society of truster's of men. The "book by its cover crowd." We believe by mere word of mouth and when that fails, becomes corrupted, never materializes we get upset. Yes the test of works rarely applied and the condoning of lies acceptable top many.

No one can sit there and say this is all meaningless and that is ones choice, all true. Yet it speaks to us individually and as a people, a nation, who we are. So as Paul Harvey used to say, "and now "the rest of the story." With no dispersions cast upon him, how sad. No, in my opinion and by fact no mortal man or system can bring this about. No ideology or government or for that matter religion until the attributes, characteristics, faith of that religion are exercised by works and deed. To think so is no more then to be the fool, no matter how intelligent, educated or reasonable.

The solution is with each of us individually and it starts with leadership at every level. From home to the very pinnacle's of power. Now I ask, who is the fool? I certainly can bear you. calling me that but in reality, truth, by fact, the truth be told, it is right before us all.

2009 Robert T. Melaccio, Sr. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

I can also be read on realconsiderations.blogspot.com



Robert Melaccio Sr. has worked in the computer industry for 40 plus years in a diversified business and managerial environments. He enjoys freelance writing, giving seminars for young adults and teen groups as well as being an accomplished award winning poet of published poetry. He has worked teaching and as a youth minister. He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Marijo Phelps
 2 years 240 days ago.
141 fans.
Truth is becoming a rare and precious thing - a well thought out article and much needed focus. Marijo
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