Big Lies

The world is one of information and ideas. Information that would have made any person wealthy beyond their wildest dreams 200 years ago is now accessible at the touch of a button. And since the beginning of time, information both true and otherwise has gone in one ear and out the other. The gathering of info is fine. The problem is a lot of people don't go beyond the acquisition stage. It is important to develop a good 'baloney detector', as Phillip E. Johnson has rightly called it. Ask a lot of questions and hold fast to what is true.

To show what I mean, I'm sharing with you, gentle reader, a sampling of the Big Lies that I have heard over the years.

Big lie #1: “Scientists/Scholars/Historians agree…”
The truth: Baloney. Articles that claim this are just a sign of laziness by the author who doesn't want to present the complexities of what they are writing about. It was once said that archeology isn't a science, it is a vendetta. The other sciences are no better. Humans bring preconceptions into what ever they are thinking about. This will always taint research of any kind, be it biblical or biological.

Big lie #2: “Back in my day, kids had respect for their elders”.
The truth: Baloney. Cain listened to Adam just as much as the Bush twins listen to George W.

Big lie #3: “If I won the lottery/had a million dollars, it wouldn’t change me”.
The truth: Baloney. While I am tempted to take the cynical look at this, maybe I'll take the opposite view here. Quoting Willy Wonka:

Willy Wonka: But Charlie, don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted.
Charlie Bucket: What happened?
Willy Wonka: He lived happily ever after.

Whether you make yourself good or corrupt is up to you. I guess my point is that you will change. We all will.

Big lie #4: “Don’t worry about getting married, it’ll happen when you least expect it.”
The truth: Baloney. I have a goal to get be engaged this year. Whether it happens or not is a tricky thing as it involves the freedom of choice by others as well. But that's neither here nor there. The point is that I have been given this advice since I was 21. And there were numerous times when I wasn't expecting it. And here I am. Meh.

Big lie #5: “The check is in the mail”.
The truth: Baloney. This means that the check is in my wallet and I'll address the envelope once I am done watching What Not To Wearand I have a nap.

Big lie #6: “If I can’t beat that price, I’ll give it to you for free!”
The truth: Baloney. Every so often, a car dealership will come out with some ad campaign where they say they will give you the car for free if they can't beat a competitor’s price. Gee, I wonder which one they will go with? As Uncle Lefty is always saying, If you wish in one hand and spit in the other, which do you think will fill up first?