We are surrounded by lies. At first, lie-spotting is more fun than bird-watching.
Lie-spotters assume that each news item is a press release put out by some special interest. “Who paid for that lie?” we ask as each press release becomes apparent. Successful lies, as those told about imaginary environmental problems, generate endless funding. Less profitable lies come and go more quickly.
Lie-spotting helps our minds to grow and mature. Our minds come alive as we learn to realize, “Why, that is a lie designed to justify funding for _______!” We understand the great truth about Conventional Reality: Successful lies generate enough profit to be publicized. The more effective the lie, the more it is publicized.
Soon, we realize that news shows are scripted and filmed by skilled actors, directors, and producers. As we identify the probable source of funding for each lie that the newsreader reads, we learn how surrounded we are by sky-darkening flocks of lies.
Every day, more lies are told. Good is made bad, bad is made good. Funding of favorites is encouraged. Bribes flow like water. Taxes are raised. Regulations are imposed. The lies get bigger and bolder. Lies replace truth whenever and wherever possible.
Those who participate in the process are bearing false witness. That is a Commandment violation.
It starts out being fun to understand, “What a monumental lie they are telling!”. Then, the underlying reality becomes more sobering. The poor souls involved in marketing religious, political, environmental, and medical frauds through lies, distortions, and deceptions are participating in what Dante described as “Complex Frauds”.
The poor souls participating in “Complex Frauds” spend eternity in the deeper, most painful pits of hell.
After we have learned to identify those participating in Complex Frauds, we see how much money we could make if we started lying. If we are blessed to avoid that, our duty is clear: we should pray for those lost in lies. That’s far better than rejoicing because their souls, without repentance, will suffer greatly forever.
