Almost every human endeavor relies on truth (at least as defined by the latest scientific evidence) in order to offer products and services that are safe, reliable and competitive. A few careers (fiction writing comes to mind) may be independent of truth while some, especially those that peddle mysticism (e.g. organized religion), are threatened by science-based truth.
Politicians, on the other hand, maintain a fuzzy relationship with truth. Focused on the demands of their constituents and on their own re-election, they pick and choose what truths they publicly believe. Those who represent regions with coal, gas and oil production play down evidence of global warming while those who hail from agricultural areas are loathe to acknowledge the environmental pollution that results from farming and ranching activity; many other examples could be offered.
Worse yet, some politicians seem willing to lie or to dismiss the truth in order to further their political or personal agenda. Our President offers an extreme example and the ongoing efforts to elect Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court reveal that Conservatives (including Evangelicals) are willing to overlook false testimony in order to achieve their ultimate goals. Of course, truth will eventually prevail but damage (perhaps irreversible) to our government, to our environment and to our society may occur beforehand.
Politicians, on the other hand, maintain a fuzzy relationship with truth. Focused on the demands of their constituents and on their own re-election, they pick and choose what truths they publicly believe. Those who represent regions with coal, gas and oil production play down evidence of global warming while those who hail from agricultural areas are loathe to acknowledge the environmental pollution that results from farming and ranching activity; many other examples could be offered.
Worse yet, some politicians seem willing to lie or to dismiss the truth in order to further their political or personal agenda. Our President offers an extreme example and the ongoing efforts to elect Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court reveal that Conservatives (including Evangelicals) are willing to overlook false testimony in order to achieve their ultimate goals. Of course, truth will eventually prevail but damage (perhaps irreversible) to our government, to our environment and to our society may occur beforehand.
