When the ancient Hebrews in the name of Moses formulated their Constitution, which is known as the Ten Commandments, they emphasized the importance of telling the truth. In their society, which was filled with beliefs in gods or one god, they implied that the law was promulgated by their own super god who they referred to as Yahweh, just as we refer to the Creator in our Constitution. However, one need not consider it a divinely inspired commandment as much as it is part of a creative rule of how we as humans get along with each other. We cannot live together in a human society if the law of being truthful with each other is not followed. It is a very simple rule but obviously disregarded in our modern day society. When people, especially people in authority such as politicians, preachers, teachers, presidents, etc., openly and without batting an eye promulgate lies as truths, we no longer live in a society where we can depend on each other and are therefore bound for social disintegration.
But the problem does not only lie there. The real problem is that we believe these untruths to be true. This is not a modern phenomenon. It has happened since the day we learned how to talk. False political, religious, scientific and cultural creeds have been promulgated in the name of infallibility and necessary to be believed for salvation. They are creeds we slavishly must follow without questioning. Such preaching and beliefs ruin the very foundation of any human society, which relies on truth telling, and free trustful exchange of ideas for its very existence.
Long ago people warned each other of the dangers of worshiping the god Mammon, who we today call Money. We may add two others gods to that religion, the gods of Might and Military. These three gods rely on falsification of truth for their power of persuasion. We would do well in heeding the warnings of old and rid ourselves of the idolatry of false gods. Let, To Tell the Truth, be our God!
Jake Hjorth
Grand Marais
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