Yes, I’m comparing the media’s “lies” with Trump’s “lies”.
I am NOT comparing the two with Jesus. Read on.
“The Media just can’t stop lying about Trump” was an article from a few months ago, demonstrating how the media twists Trump’s words to claim that he is lying. The article was about President Trump starting a “trade war”, among other things. The truth is in alternate interpretation of facts. Raising tariffs slightly on a relatively minor number of goods does not constitute a “trade war” was the author’s conclusion in that portion of the article.
Recently CNN reporter Jim Acosta and President Trump had a disagreement about the definition of the caravan coming from Mexico. Trump called it an invasion. Acosta claimed they were refugees seeking asylum. Trump said, “We disagree. I think it is an invasion.” One can argue the facts. In honest discussion both can be correct. Neither is “lying”. Different interpretation.
What made this disagreement most egregious was Acosta’s rudeness to President Trump and to the rest of the press who also wished to ask questions. Acosta refused to surrender the microphone even when so directed by the President of the United States. And Acosta did, indeed, push the intern’s arm away in spite of the doctored version CNN put out. I watched that press conference live and saw Acosta push the inside of the young lady’s elbow with his left wrist/hand to keep her from taking the mic. I immediately said to my wife, “If he was a Republican they would have him in irons before nightfall for sexual harassment.” Then later the firestorm broke with competing claims of exactly what happened and the eventual rescinding of Acosta’s White House Press Pass. No, he wasn’t sexually harassing her, but he did push her arm, contrary to his claims. I verified the White House statement with my own eyes in real time.
The list of 6,000 or so “lies” that the media claims Trump has told are almost all in this category; different interpretation of facts.
The media is so dishonest in their reporting that if Jesus Christ himself, the only sinless person to ever live on the earth, were to be critically examined by our media, they would claim that he was deliberately lying.
Here is a case in point:
Matthew 13:31-32 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Well guess what? There are a lot of seeds smaller than a mustard seed. Proof that Jesus lied! So why did Jesus say such a provable lie? Here is what James E. Talmage said on page 290 in his book Jesus the Christ. I, Jonesy, consider this book the definitive work on the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
“This little story, [Parable of the Mustard Seed] addressed to the assembled multitude, must have set many thinking, because of the simplicity of the incident related and the thoroughly un-Jewish application made of it. Taught by teachers of the time, the Kingdom was to be great and glorious from its beginning; it was to be ushered in by blare of trumpets and tramp of armies, with King Messiah at the head; yet this new Teacher spoke of it as having so small a beginning as to be comparable to a mustard seed. To make the illustration more effective He specified that the seed spoken of was “the least of all seeds.” This superlative expression was made in a relative sense; for there were and are smaller seeds than the mustard, even among garden plants, among which rue and poppy have been named; but each of these plants is very small in maturity, while the well-cultivated mustard plant is one of the greatest among common herbs, and presents a strong contrast of growth from tiny seed to spreading shrub.”
Come to think of it, the media in Jesus’ time also had a problem discerning a deliberate lie from something meant in a different way than they interpreted it. When brought to trial before the rulers of the time, other of Jesus’ words were misrepresented by accusers:
Matthew 26:61 “This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.”
Of course Jesus meant that when they destroyed his body he would raise it up in three days.
This false witness, and others, caused the media and organized protestors to yell and scream, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” The ruler, Pontius Pilate, bowed to public pressure and had him scourged and crucified. Then Pilate washed his hands of the whole matter and said, sadly, “I find no fault in him.”
So, the point of this post? Don’t be so quick to yell “Liar!” at anyone. Have a rational discussion with them to determine what they really mean, from their point of view. And above all; don’t become violent and unruly, figuratively shouting “CRUCIFY HIM!” when you disagree with someone.
