While reading yesterday, I came across the word “mendacity,” which immediately brought to mind Bill O’Reilly’s “word of the day” segment that concludes his broadcasts.
“Mendacity” is a term rarely heard but one that demands attention. It refers to the quality of being untruthful or dishonest, synonymous with falsehood, deceit, or deception. Describing someone as “mendacious” suggests a tendency to lie or deceive intentionally. This term often underscores the lack of honesty or integrity in a person’s actions or statements.
Famously, Pontius Pilate asked, “What is truth?” A contemporary response to this question is found in the writings of Norman Geisler, a prominent Christian apologist, who defines truth as “that which corresponds to its object.” This definition is rooted in the correspondence theory of truth, asserting that a statement is true if it accurately represents the reality it describes.
Today, the world seems inundated with lies, with truth in short supply. Our government, private industry, publishers, and even science have succumbed to mendacity. Religious spheres are not exempt, as cults thrive and major denominations alter their beliefs to align with prevailing culture. Consequently, the average person no longer expects truth but anticipates deception, which has become so commonplace that it barely elicits a response.
What can believers and ordinary individuals do in the face of this pervasive mendacity? Fortunately, this issue has been confronted before. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn penned an article titled “Live Not By Lies,” which offers valuable insights. In essence, it advocates for refusing to participate in lies—neither believing nor spreading them, and, when safe and expedient, refuting them. Lies prevail only when met with silence. It’s imperative to combat mendacity actively.
To read Solzhenitsyn’s article, visit [https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/live-not-by-lies]. It’s a worthwhile endeavor that will take only a few minutes of your time.
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