The recent shootings in Tucson, AZ have prompted calls from many politicians, including the president, to tone down political rhetoric. This begs the question, how can rhetoric be toned down? It is subjective whether a statement is inflammatory or not. We also must be careful about limiting free speech, even though there is a chance that rhetoric would instigate violence.

     I believe that what the nation needs is not just toned down political rhetoric but to become a culture of truth. We must become lovers of truth, not purveyors of misinformation. Near the midterm elections, there was a radio station that was calling everyone to come out and vote to stop the Republicans, who are characterized as being for the rich and not for the poor. They wanted people to vote to continue the advances made by President Obama and the democrats, and stop the Republicans who would bring the nation backwards. 

     What is bothersome about this? First, its the black and white characterization of reality. The truth is that there are Republicans, as there are democrats, who have concern for the poor. They just have different ideas on how much or how less government should get involved in society. The reality is that jobs come from businesses. Therefore, it makes sense to think that a friendly business environment (low taxes, less regulation) is a good thing. Second, The opinionated radio hosts conveniently forget that taxes come from hardworking people who have trouble making ends meet. Instead of the people using their money to stimulate the economy and take responsibility to help their neighbor, the money goes to the government, which is interested in building its programs. The fact is, although there is a case for government helping the poor, that help comes at the expense of hardworking people. This is not completely just, although it is understandable that wealth has to be redistributed to help the poor.

     There are people who divide the world into oppressed and oppressors, and the oppressed give themselves permission to be hateful and feel morally superior. The truth is a case can be made for seeing ourselves as both oppressors and oppressed at the same time. Think about the weave, especially the human kind. Asians, Blacks, and Whites sell them to black women, who are somehow led to believe that they need it to be beautiful. The human hair usually comes from Indian women, who are led to believe that they are offering their hair to their gods. Instead, their hair end up in the hands of businessmen who export their hair, and their hair end up in American stores. The system is built on misinformation and manufactured need- straight hair is better.

     How would a culture of truth look like? It would be characterized by humility, because it knows it does not have all the answers. It knows that it is infected by sin, therefore it woud be characterized by repentance. Truthful people know that they cannot make themselves or their world right. They will turn to a power outside themselves, a power that is filled with grace and truth.