Lies
(Editorial Comment from host RJ Evans on his American Heathen® radio show – Air Date 09/15/12)
Everyone lies. It doesn’t matter who you are, you tell lies. Most often those lies are insignificant little “white lies” to protect someone from hurt feelings. Sometimes you will tell a little “white lie” out of convenience to shorten what might otherwise be a very long conversation that prevents you from going about your business. Most “white lies” are harmless. They are simple ways to move through our day without conflict. But, then there are malicious lies that are more self-serving, detrimental to health, well-being, character, and justice. These are lies told to protect selfish interests, to avoid taking responsibility for words and/or actions, to hide crimes, to redirect critical attention away from us and place blame upon the innocent, shielding us from the damage that the truth would certainly inflict.
I have been on the receiving end of malicious lies. Not just once or twice, but almost daily for the majority of my life. Growing up, malicious lies were told by siblings, parents, grandparents, teachers, clergy, employers, friends, neighbors, strangers… accusing me of all sorts of transgressions that I truly wasn’t a party to. But, of course, I was a convenient scape goat. Indeed, some of the most emotionally damaging lies were delivered ruthlessly by my own family, lies that led me, as an adult, to compose my favorite quote, “Hypocrisy always reveals the lie”. Don’t get me wrong. As the Gregg Allman song goes… I’m no angel. I have most certainly told my fair share of lies. Lots of “white lies”, and some lies were truly malicious in my younger years. But, I think that qualifies me to speak with some authority on the subject.
Today, as an atheist, I am constantly under suspicion, considered a liar because of my lack of belief, and as such, my character is attacked using lies. This is not unexpected. I knew that I would fall under the guise of suspicion when I deconverted. I am, of course, an immoral blemish on society because I gave up skydaddy worship, don’t you know. That’s the way it works though. No skydaddy, no moral compass. No moral compass, no trust. No trust… “He must be a liar.” Bad RJ. Yes, I have even been accused of living a lie. I have been accused of being deceived by Satan. I’ve been accused of being Satan. I’ve been accused of being a hatemonger of christians. I have been accused of dehumanizing women. I have been accused of being a gold digger. I have been accused of being an adulterer. I have been accused of… Well, you get the idea. All based on malicious lies.
I have to laugh. Yes, that’s really the only option I have now. Laughter. My accusers will never admit that facts exist to rebut their lies. There’s nothing I can do to recover my character in their blind eyes. So, what am I to do? Exactly what I continue to do. Laugh and point out the hypocrisy that exposes their lies. Even though they may never see the error of their ways, others around them might. And, more importantly the phrase, “Hypocrisy reveals the lie”, might catch on and do some good in the world. I can hope can’t I?
But… Nah. Forget it. Forget everything I just said. It’s all a lie according to those who don’t know me, and those who should. Com’on…take their word for it. I’m just an evil lying bastard who cares about no one but himself. I’m an immoral blemish on humanity, a man who wreaks havoc, human suffering, and pain wherever I tread. I’m Satan himself after all. I can’t possibly tell the truth when I’m far too busy trying to deceive everyone with lies. So remember, if I tell you the sky is blue, clouds are white sometimes, the sun is shining brightly somewhere in the world right now, and that I think my accusers are total assholes and liars… Do you believe me?
