Deceit at every level of society seems to be stalking the land, like a giant with big boots. More and more, I am meeting people who have chosen freely to live in lies, and create sins which are misdemeanors, especially in their families.
Some young people have become so jaded and cynical that they think that all people lie and that it is ok to lie.
Some very old people have become so weary that they, too, think most people lie.
I am being told this by men and women of various levels of society. Few now believe in truly "good people", stating to me that everyone is out for themselves and so on.
Sad, sad that our society now lacks the cohesiveness of trust.
I find this trend troubling, especially among the young and the elderly. One should not be going into life jaded and one should definitely not be leaving life with cynicism.
Cynicism is a sin. It stems from two sources: hatred and pride.
Because the cynic has no grace, he or she believes that all people cannot attain nobility or greatness.
Because the cynic hates humanity, he or she hates goodness to the point of not believing goodness is possible.
Of course, the cynic has no relationship with God.
Recently, I found myself in a discussion with middle-aged people younger than myself. I was shocked at the level of cynicism revealed, and the number of lies people said, when I knew the truth of the situations they were sharing. Why people lie is mainly to avoid suffering.
Lying makes one feel safe, defended from the truth, and protected from suffering.
Truth brings clarity, but frequently, suffering.
Misdemeanors include rudeness, infidelity, malice and slander. How common these sins have become actually had saddened me, especially when I have witnessed the loss of Faith because of the lack of common courtesy.
Courtesy is politeness based on mutual respect for the dignity of individuals. The cynic, the liar, cannot be courteous. He or she cannot see the value of the other persons around them.
The courteous person is elegant, long-suffering, compliant when he or she can be. The courteous person thinks of others first, and self second. The courteous person is gentle and kind.
This ability to be courteous is fast disappearing from families. The reason may be gross individualism, relativism, or even narcissism.
But, I think the main reason that in a post-Christian society, there is no shared framework for respect.
When people no longer see themselves as brothers and sisters in Christ, what is left can be brutal.
I am sorry that I have to witness the death of truth, even among some who claim they are Christian.
I am sorry that I have to witness the growth of cynicism, lies and misdemeanors.