People of the Lie

Moral relativism, it seems, is only sometimes a problem.

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy observes that "Relativism has been, in its various guises, both one of the most popular and most reviled philosophical doctrines of our time." This, I think, many of us have been aware of. What we didn't know, and the article doesn't suggest, is that it is both reviled and popular by the same people.

I side with those who believe in absolutes. This perspective was born in my heritage, of white evangelical Protestantism. These absolutes can be difficult to pinpoint and quantify, but I do believe some absolute morals and truths cross all cultures and history.

Because this is my heritage, it is painful to watch white evangelicals leading the charge in favor of relativism. That they see their relativism as a crusade for absolute Truth is gag-worthy.

Our President's lying is denied, defended, or tolerated. His association with liars is accepted and promoted. Only when his cronies dare speak against him, do his supporters admit that his pals lie. When he spouts lies at his rallies, evangelicals cheer. Those who don't are labeled spineless morons.

One explanation is that, while his lying is bad, it is worth it because his policies and judge appointees might defend the unborn. This would seem a valid argument, despite Trump's personal record with abortions. After all, Rahab the harlot was "considered righteous" for lying to protect the spies she hosted. Why not defend the President's lies to protect himself as long as he also protects life? And yet, as I previously posted here and here, while condemning pro-choice political views, evangelicals resist policies that actually reduce abortion. Isn't this another form of dishonesty?

Another explanation is that they believe everything he says. OK, but then they are the ones guilty of lying—to themselves, for starters—because the evidence is irrefutable.

Denying evidence is another type of lie, and evangelicals are especially adept at it. We pretend to know more than climate scientists. We pretend to know more than biologists and paleontologists. We pretend to know more than historians. All, for a single reason: we don't want to believe them. We lie to ourselves, to our children, to our churches, to our country, because the evidence does not support a view of the world as we were taught. Worst of all, we lie in the name of the God of truth.

The would-be guardians of morality choose to associate themselves with an immoral liar to advance themselves and their own lies. Their choice will haunt the church for years to come.

I notice that I have referred to evangelicals as both "we" and "they." While it is a part of my story, I no longer call myself an evangelical. I am happy to be a messenger of good news, but the name is no longer true to the Jesus I read of in the gospels.

As people ask why Trump and his inner circle lie about nearly everything, it is conceivable that, rather than to hide some grim secret, they simply do it out of habit. Is this also the case for the church?