We all know you can’t make someone tell the truth.
What we can do is to expect someone, everyone, to believe established facts and truth.
Turns out even that’s a problem for a lot of people. What is more, I think it is a moral failure that is worst than telling lies.
That’s because people who refuse to believe facts and truth give encouragement to lying politicians to keep on lying.
This is seriously damaging our country.
Former Republican Arizona Senator Jeff Flake described this damage indirectly when he said: “It is elementary to have to say this, but we did not become a great nation by believing or espousing nonsense, or by embracing lunacy” (WPO op-ed, May 11).
If we did not become a great nation by believing nonsense and embracing lunacy, we certainly cannot remain one by starting now.
Yet, this is what is happening because of people refusing to believe facts and truth. Most of us know this because of having friends and relatives and colleagues who are this way.
Arguments with them become circular and unending. They go something like this.
Truth Teller: Forty years of analysis by Republican lawyers has found no basis for the claim of voter fraud in our elections.
Truth Denier: “I don’t believe that.”
Truth Teller: “It’s a proven fact.”
Truth Denier: “Well, I don’t believe it.”
Truth Teller: Why not?
Truth Denier: Because Republican leaders say there is fraud.
Truth Teller: “Not Republican lawyers in charge of searching for voter fraud. They say there is none.”
Truth Denier: “I’m sure there is.”
Truth Teller: “But there isn’t any evidence that there is.”
Truth Denier: “Some people say there is.”
Truth Teller: “In forty years of research they haven’t found any.”
Truth Denier: “Well, I don’t believe it.”
And on and on it goes.
Some version of this circular argument goes on all the time with people who may not tell lies, but who won’t believe the truth.
Just as astounding is that these same people expect the rest of us to listen to what they have to say, to their side of the story, even to respect their views.
I ran into this kind of nonsense in the church long before it took over the Republican Party.
Evangelical Christians have the kind of faith that insists myths are facts and stories and parables are historical events. In short, their faith requires them to believe nonsense.
It is no surprise that most of them are Republicans.
It’s also no wonder that Republicans aren’t fit to govern, as Jeff Flake suggests in his article they are becoming. A good case can be made that they are already there.
You can’t solve problems when you refuse to believe the facts and truth necessary to understanding what the problem is in the first place.
It’s doing real damage to our nation that Republicans are standing knee deep in this kind of insidious nonsense.
If we want to remain a great nation we have to make sure they don’t drag the rest of us into the muck with them.
linnposts.com 
we must remember that the people in your church and others claiming right wing Christian theology believe in talking snakes and this most surely applies to the trumpies
Guy, the snake handlers are fundamentalists who are too radical even for evangelicals. They don’t count, but evangelicals do, and all who agree with them.
A most excellent blog post, Jan. Your point rings true in many areas, not just politics. Science deniers comes to mind.
Good point, Rollie. Adds to the dilemma we face, and our frustration.
This morning, I chanced to read a famous quote by the famous Czech reformer Jan Hus, burned at the stake for heresy in 1415. It went: “…Therefore, faithful Christian, seek the truth, listen to the truth, learn the truth, love the truth, tell the truth, defend the truth, even unto death”.
Hus was, like the English John Wycliffe, a pioneer of church reform – a century before Luther. In such times as these, where falsehood and non-thinking has become almost respectable, his words can inspire us yet.
Nigel, you are a learned man whose historical insights enrich us greatly. Thank you.
Jan,
On target as always. How simple and wonderful it would be if “truth deniers” could only seek, find, and follow the truth!!
Bill Blackwell
Bill, they will miss your ironic play on words, but the rest of us get the truth of your words.
Spot on Jan. And what a great statement by Jeff Flake. These nuts just have to be voted out of office. It’s the only way we can survive.
That’s the key, Wilbur. 2022 must be the exception to the rule and we gain seats in the Congress and across state legislatures
Jan,
Excellent! Reading it, I was reminded of a wise friend, since deceased, who told me, “Gene, Ignorance will beat you every time. It is folly to try to convince the ignorant.” Thus, we need to work to get every honest thinker to the polls in the next election.
Cheerz!
Gene
Gene, your comment reminded me that most of what we need these days to bring balance to our political (and religious) life we learned a long time ago. Perhaps if “what goes around come around” actually did in this instance it would be a good thing.
I love what you wrote and how you framed it, even though I mourn what it means for the country.
Luke, you expressed what I feel as well, and many others I know. What is happening to us as a people is very sad. At the same time, that is an important motivation to overcoming it. Thanks for commenting.