Escaping the River of Lies

The "river of lies" in our politics isn't just annoying—it’s destabilizing our entire society.

We are currently facing a "multi-pronged assault" on truth, from foreign disinformation campaigns to domestic leaders who prioritize "alternative facts" over reality. The Book of Proverbs warned us centuries ago: when a ruler listens to lies, the whole government becomes corrupt.

How to fight back:

Pause: Don't let the algorithms bait your emotions.

Verify: Use Politifact or Snopes before you share.

Act: Join collective groups and support organizations fighting for justice.

Truth shouldn't be a "weapon" to divide us—it's the only way to keep our freedom

Transcript

Are you tired of the continual river of lies, distortions, and disinformation that pollute our communications today? I am. Politicians, corporate spokespersons, and social media influencers twist the facts to gain power over the population. 

I propose we hear some old, truthful words which have new warnings for us now. The Book of Proverbs in the Hebrew Testament offers distilled wisdom about practical matters. Being 3000 years old and from an ancient civilization, some ideas are outdated for us today. But many seem to shout with courage the ethical principles that are far more important that polls, thinks tanks, slogans, and tweets.

Since the United States is only 250 years old, it would be good to pay attention to something that has proven true across all cultures, nations, and societies. Like the nations of old, America needs leaders who are honest, just, and protect the rights of everyone to be really great. 

Considering the actions and words of politicians across the land, I propose that all elected officials have a large copy of the following Proverbs hung in their offices. Listen to the Proverbs politicians should heed.

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
     but those who act faithfully are his delight.” (Proverbs 12:22)

“If a ruler listens to falsehood,
     all his officials will be wicked.” (Proverbs 29:12)

“The wicked accept a concealed bribe
     to pervert the ways of justice.” (Proverbs 23:17)

“By justice a king gives stability to the land” (Proverbs 29:4)

“Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
     but those who are kind to the needy honor him. (Proverbs 14:31)

“Speak out for those who cannot speak,
     for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out; judge righteously;
     defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Robert Jones President of the Public Religion Research Institute offered this observation, “During the opening days of his first term, Trump achieved something remarkable: according to The New York Times, “He said something untrue, in public, every day for the first 40 days of his presidency.” His spokesperson, Kellyanne Conway, coined the Orwellian term “alternative facts” to try to justify Trump’s insistence, despite clear evidence to the contrary, that the crowd size at his inauguration was larger than Obama’s. By the time he was finally forced from office four years later, The Washington Post had logged 30,573 times that Trump had uttered false or misleading claims. Trump’s lies, both big and small, have been corrosive to the foundations of civil society and democracy, which depend on a shared sense of reality. But the events of the first days of 2026 also show they are deadly. They are literally killing us.”[1]

                The impact of foreign governments, specifically Russia and China, creating lies to undermine America, has been well-documented in the past decade. A report following the 2024 elections “finds that foreign governments managed to spread at least 160 false narratives in the United States in 2024 via social media, with Russia the leading purveyor. About half those narratives aimed to divide Americans on foreign policy issues, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, while the other half focused on domestic U.S. politics, often targeting Harris and President Joe Biden.”[2]

                How can we respond when lies, propaganda, and misinformation assail our newsfeeds daily?

                First, take a breath to calm your reaction. The algorithms are designed to provoke us so we must outsmart them by thinking before we act. Let your emotions settle so your reason can work.

                Second, do some research. The amount of false information online is increasing dramatically. Do some factchecking with solid sources of information such as FactCheck, Snopes, or Politifact. Open the balanced news sources to find out more about the issue. Good information is just a few clicks away.

                Third, do something helpful. Amplify the trusted, proven source that helped you. Or, offer a concise correction with the facts you have found. Add to this by joining with others who are responding to gain the power of collective opinions.

Finally, speak out. This is not a time for silence or giving up with a shrug. Support your acquaintances who are willing to act. Open a gentle conversation with others. Send an email to a politician. Give money to an organization that is fighting for justice. 

Pope Leo pushed against the lies prevalent now when he wrote recently, “Today, the meaning of words is ever more fluid, and the concepts they represent are increasingly ambiguous…. [With] contortions of semantic ambiguity, language is becoming more and more a weapon with which to deceive, or to strike and offend opponents. We need words once again to express distinct and clear realities unequivocally. Only in this way can authentic dialogue resume without misunderstandings. This should happen in our homes and public spaces, in politics, in the media and on social media.”[3]

I agree with many that we are witnessing a deliberate effort to confuse, mislead, and doubletalk to gain control of our nation. This is not normal political speech and the give-and-take of democracy. This is a multi-pronged, coordinated assault on the Constitution, equality, and freedom so a minority can control all of us.

One of the Proverbs warns about the consequences. “By justice a king gives stability to the land.” The warning is clear: injustice produces instability. The chaos we are seeing in America now is an early tremor of the potential for a catastrophic shaking which decimates the values we have spent 250 years building.

                We can do more than just hang a copy of Proverbs in the offices of politicians. Everyone can do something in this pivotal time. Now is the time to let the truth of Proverbs move from the ancient manuscripts of Israel through our actions to come alive today.    

[1] Robert P. Jones, “Trump's lies are killing us: The deadly consequences of big and little lies everywhere.” Religion News Service, January 9, 2026. https://religionnews.com/2026/01/09/trumps-lies-are-killing-us-the-deadly-consequences-of-big-and-little-lies-everywhere/
[2] Will Oremus, “Outraged? You’re more likely to share misinformation, study finds.” The Washington Post, December 4, 2024.
 
[3] Pope Leo XIV, “ADDRESS OF POPE LEO XIV
TO MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACCREDITED TO THE HOLY SEE, January 9, 2026”