A few weeks ago, we went to the cinema to see the movie, “The Correspondent,” subtitled , “Truth is not the only casualty.” The Correspondent movie. The movie is based on the real-life story of Australian foreign correspondent, Peter Greste, who was arrested in Cairo, Egypt, on 29 December 2013, accused of spreading false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood. The movie was adapted from Greste’s 2017 memoir, “The First Casualty.”
I remember Peter Greste’s story in the news at the time, but didn’t really understand all the detail. After watching the movie, I came away thinking about the world differently, and asking the question, “What is truth?”
Peter Greste was just doing his job as a journalist. He didn’t break any laws. Yet, after only being in Egypt for a short time, he was arrested and accused of multiple crimes of terrorism, each one of which carried the death penalty. He was sentenced to seven years in jail. After lots of negotiation and work behind the scenes, and 400 days in jail, Peter was deported to Australia on 1 February 2015.
What is truth in the news?
Journalists are supposed to report the truth. When we listen to news reports, we expect to hear the truth. But apparently, that’s not the case with war. Hiram Johnson is credited with saying, “The first casualty when war comes is truth.” Of course, each side in a war wants to win. Perhaps it is this quest for victory that takes precedence over honesty, and results in truth-distorting propaganda.
Perhaps it’s not only in war time, that truth is distorted. “In a world where individuals interpret reality based on their experiences, beliefs, and biases, the notion of a singular, absolute truth is called into question.” The first casualty when war comes is truth
Can there be more than one truth?
I’ve heard people say that something which is true for me, may not be true for them. And their truth is just as good as mine. So, there are different truths for different people. There is not one absolute truth, apparently.
After doing an internet search, I found at least eight different theories of truth. I came away more confused than ever. Just give me the truth about what is truth!
The death of truth
“We should all be mourning the death of truth, but alas, few recognize what has happened to truth as a tool to strengthen nations and guard against ruinous corruption.
Truth has become a casualty of evil people’s schemes. The murder of truth was intentionally committed by individuals and organizations who cannot accomplish their goals through rational, logical, and reasonable public debate. The world is in the grips of mass propaganda, deceit, and an otherworldly strong delusion.” Truth has become a casualty in modern journalism
Misinformation
In a previous post, Misinformation or Truth, I wrote about misinformation and truth. Even that term, ‘misinformation,’ is a bit confusing. Further internet searching tells me that misinformation is false, but there is no intent to cause harm. And now I’ve learned a new word, ‘disinformation,’ which refers to false information designed to mislead others and deliberately spread with the intent to manipulate truth and facts.
Confusion
When I was younger, there was only true and false. Truth was true, now and always.
But now, it seems, there is: unintentionally not true; deliberately false and misleading; individual truth; contextual truth and more. Truth is just something that we construct for ourselves. What is true now, may not be true in the future. Truth has to fit what we want it to be. It seems that there is no absolute truth anymore. No wonder I’m confused!
Who can I trust?
If everyone, or almost everyone, is not telling me the truth, (even if they don’t mean to) who can I trust? Maybe I can’t trust anyone? People make lots of promises, at a wedding, for example, but given the number of divorces, I wonder if they were serious? If I can’t even trust my closest friend/lover/partner, who can I trust to tell the truth?
What’s the truth about God?
That’s a big question. Actually, the Bible has a LOT to say about truth. The Bible talks not only about the content of truth, truth and lies, but also about the nature of truth itself.
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
Proverbs 12:22 (NLT)
It is impossible for God to lie.
Hebrews 6:18b
God says that His word is truth, and it can make us holy.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Romans 17:17
Jesus said that the truth would set us free.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
Before the crucifixion, Pontius Pilate interrogated Jesus to find out why the Jews wanted to kill him. Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world.
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
John 18:37
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate.
With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
John 18:38
So, Pilate asked the big question, “What is truth?” but didn’t stay to hear Jesus’ answer. But, it seems that Pilate was staring right in the face of Truth.
Speaking to Thomas and the disciples, Jesus had called Himself THE truth.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
John 14:6a
Wow! Jesus is THE truth!
God says He wants us to be discerning of good and evil.
But solid food [truths of God’s word] is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 5:14
We are to think deeply about what is true and what is false, so we don’t fall victim to falsehood, misinformation, disinformation or propaganda.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:9-10
Prayer:
Dear God, I am often confused about what is true and what is false. It is easy to be swayed by popular opinion or the loud majority. Many people would have me question everything I once thought true. In today’s culture, it’s not always easy to believe in You. Please forgive my unbelief and doubt.
You have said that You are THE truth. Help me to believe that.
Give me the freedom that You promise from your truth. Give me freedom from doubt and fear.
Give me a clear and renewed mind to be able to discern between good and evil, and to seek to do your good and perfect will.
Help me to speak your world of truth in gentleness and hope to the people around me.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What about you?
Are you confused about what you hear in the news?
Are you finding it difficult to discern what is true and what is culturally acceptable? Is there a difference?
Are the loud voices in the media and social media drowning out your ability, or willingness to sit and reflect about what is true and what is opinion?
Does it matter?
Next Time:
I plan to explore more about truth in my next blog.
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