The Effect of Liars & The Triumph of Truth | Opinion by Bryan Hudson
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This election cycle has highlighted something we see and hear so often that many have stopped being outraged about it. That “something” is lying. In the world of politics and the larger society, the response to egregious acts by one or by the few is often, “Well, everyone does it.“
When I was a child—and perhaps you had the same experience— trying to downplay some lie or bad deed by attempting to deflect and bring others in the wrong. “Johnny did it too!” was met with a swift and strong rebuke from my mother, “I am talking to YOU!”
This is Called “Moral Equivalence”
Moral equivalence is the concept or rhetorical device that suggests two actions or behaviors, which may differ in degree or context, are equally morally wrong or right. It is often used in debates or discussions to compare actions by arguing that one is no worse or better than the other, even if the situations or outcomes differ significantly. (OpenAI 2024)
Interestingly, this childhood ploy is still being used by adults. As an example and learning moment for this issue, I give you Donald J. Trump. To the fact that this man is a liar cannot be disputed. The phenomenon of the abundance of his lies have normalized the behavior for many. It’s become like the scar that looses sensation. It’s like all the junk in a room that is no longer noticed. It is the thing that no longer produces outrage as it once did.
Moral equivalence is among the weakest of all arguments and responses. In essence, this is not much different than the events that took place in August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia, during the “Unite the Right” rally. It was a gathering of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and far-right groups protesting the planned removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Hundreds of white supremacists marched through the University of Virginia’s campus carrying torches and chanting racist and anti-Semitic slogans such as “Jews will not replace us” and “White lives matter.” They clashed with counter-protesters, leading to several injuries and the death of Heather Heyer who was hit by a car.
To this racist gathering, then President Donald Trump stated, “There are good people on both sides.”
The worst response is making peace with lies and attempts at moral equivalence by accepting and accommodating abhorrent behavior. Some may think, “That’s just the way it is.”
If that was the attitude of our African American ancestors, we would still be segregated, unable to vote, locked out of opportunity, uneducated, giving deference to White supremacists, and much more. If there is any group of people who will not settle for an evil or ungodly status quo, it is Black people.
It has often been said that African-Americans and the Black church are the moral conscience to our nation. The survival and flourishing of African Americans, despite centuries of oppression, symbolize resilience, hope, and the enduring belief in the possibility of change. Their continued pursuit of justice often forces the broader society to reflect on its moral compass and reconsider what it means to be an ethical nation. African Americans have played a pivotal role in calling the U.S. to a higher moral standard, reminding the country that its true greatness lies in achieving justice and equality for all its citizens. By continually exposing the disconnect between American ideals and realities, African Americans have often acted as the moral conscience, pushing the nation toward a more just and inclusive future. (OpenAI 2024)
So it is interesting, that this election cycle features the most egregious liar among national politicians we have witnessed in our lifetime seeking to re-occupy the highest office in our nation, former President Trump (DJT). It is fitting that he would be held to account by a Black woman, Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee for President of the United States after the courageous act of President Joe Biden stepping aside. It is also ironic that DJT may be defeated by a woman and Black person, representing individuals who have been disparaged by him for decades.
History may show that the presidential debate of September 10, 2024 was a vital component in the undoing of DJT and the MAGA movement. Kamala Harris’s rhetorical domination of Trump triggered outrageous and unguarded responses from him. People who are deceitful and lie depend on obfuscation and systems of concealment to hide their true nature and deeds. What 67 million people saw on that evening cannot be unseen. It will forever live on YouTube and the transcript will always provide documentation. The event has become a receipt that can never be denied.
During the civil rights movement, one of the strategies was to expose the racism of people in the South who opposed the dignity and constitutional rights of Black people. This was the purpose of bus boycotts, freedom rides, marches, and other actions to attract the attention of local people and the entire nation. People who lie and deceive depend on cultivating false narratives, controlling media reports, and systems that downplay the blatant evil of their ways.
The Decline of White Evangelical Credibility
One of the most disappointing outcomes of the phenomenon of DJT is the strong support by white evangelical Christians. 80% supported his presidential election in 2016. Even after his disastrous term and Office, they supported him again at 80% in 2000. In 2024, his support among white evangelicals hovers at 80%. Through his entire presence on the political scene, going back to the days when Barack Obama ran for president, DJT engaged in lies and misrepresentations. This included the “birther” conspiracy that falsely alleged that Barack Obama was not born in the USA. For his campaign, Trump declared that he would be “self funding” his campaign––he didn’t. For nine years he has been promising to replace the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) with a “better” plan. When pressed on September 10 at the debate about his health plan, he said, “I have concepts of a plan.” Another lie.
A compilation of DJT lies on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_or_misleading_statements_by_Donald_Trump
One of the most important virtues of the Christian church should be allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth. This truth does not only refer to Scriptural truth, but I believe it also necessitates acceptance of objective truth, such as facts in life and in science. Not the least of these imperatives is the mandate to live the truth.
One of the unhealthy effects of compromising truth or remaining inactive and silent when action and speaking out are needed is settling into something referred to as “lie fatigue” or “deception fatigue.”
It is a condition of becoming desensitized to people who constantly lie. Over time, when someone is exposed to frequent dishonesty, they may become emotionally numb or indifferent to the lies. This can lead to a lack of trust and lowered expectations. It may also cause someone to stop reacting or caring about the lies altogether. It is my point of view that this has become the state of people devoted to DJT, in what has been characterized as a cultish relationship: believing the leader, no matter what he says, or does, justifying lies, dismissing wrongdoing, and chastising others for disagreeing.
Psychologically, this desensitization can be a defense mechanism, where individuals protect themselves from the emotional stress and frustration of repeatedly encountering lies. In some cases, it may be part of broader emotional burnout, where a person becomes numb not only to lying but to other forms of emotional manipulation or stress. (OpenAI 2024)
Below are some of the well-known dynamics between cult leaders, and followers. I don’t presume to assign these behaviors to all followers of DJT. Again, the dynamics of this election cycle are teaching moments that can be applied to other contexts.
Us vs. Them Mentality: Cults often cultivate a mentality where the group is seen as superior, and outsiders are considered enemies or threats.
Religious or Spiritual Manipulation
False Prophecies or Doomsday Scenarios: Cult leaders may use religious or spiritual manipulation, claiming divine authority or predicting apocalyptic events to control members through fear.
Promises of Salvation: Cults often promise special knowledge, enlightenment, or salvation that can only be attained through loyalty to the group, making members feel they must stay to secure their spiritual future. (OpenAI 2024)
Christians who strongly support Donald Trump or believe the Republican party is the only one that is approved by God are forced to compromise their faith to accommodate his behavior. This leads to something called Cognitive Dissonance.”
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological concept that refers to the mental discomfort or tension a person feels when they hold two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. This discomfort often leads to an internal motivation to reduce the dissonance, either by changing one of the conflicting beliefs, acquiring new information, or minimizing the importance of the conflict. (OpenAI 2024)
Holding contradictory beliefs or performing actions that are inconsistent with their personal values, leads to cognitive dissonance. Persons may rationalize the harmful behaviors and lies such as from DJT as necessary for the “greater good.” Seeking to reduce the dissonance, values are compromised, faith in Jesus Christ is undermined, and allegiance to truth is replaced by allegiance to a man.
Christians should appreciate our distinct role as citizens in which voting is not a spiritual act. It is a civil act that deserves a rational and objective assessment of candidates regarding their core competence. Single issue voting contributes to manipulation on the part of candidates who would use Christianity for self-serving purposes. The most common example is a candidate saying he is “pro-life,” but shows no actual care for unborn or born lives.
The "Big Lie"
Our modern lexicon now includes the words, "The Big Lie" which we all know refers to DJT's denial of the outcome of the 2000 election which he lost. At the heart of this lie was the rejection of our Democratic system of excepting defeat, gracefully conceding, and supporting the peaceful transfer of power. As we all know, in defying our democratic system, he sought to overturn a free and fair election by inciting an insurrection on January 6, 2021 that resulted in the injury in death of some capital police officers.
Another "Big Lie"
Lies about immigrants fomented by DJT accuse them of "poisoning the blood of our nation," which is a white supremacist mindset. This conspiracy contributed to his nonsensical accusation of Haitians in Ohio abducting and eating resident's pets. This insanity spoken to an audience of 67 million people during the debate should overshadow any other thing he says until the election on November 5. His lies have endangered the lives of Haitian (Black) people and put families and children at risk.
The biblical practice of assigning spiritual value to political figures and to voting has contributed to the confusion and enabling of a man, Donald Trump, who exhibits no Christian fruit. In reality, if we wanted to make a spiritual assessment of the man, many Scriptures would offer perspective, including Proverbs 6:12 NLT: “What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars."
“Sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth because they don’t want their illusions destroyed.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Rev. Bryan Hudson, D.Min.
September 15, 2024
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Related Post:
"Democracy In Peril: Dishonest Scales & White Privilege – Thoughts From the Presidential Debate of September 10, 2024"
