S is for Sins

We all do it. Bad things like lying. In religious circles it's called a "sin". If you follow the ten commandments, it doesn't have to be anything seemingly big. Modern behaviors like swearing and sleeping around are mortal sins if you buy into the Christian credo. Even something little, like lying, is considered a mortal sin.


So let's use that last one. Lying. With the Internet and all the fact checking information available to us, we should be able to verify just about any bit of information we choose to. But do we? We see a clever meme about someone we don't like - say the U.S. president - and we decide to pass that critical bit of information forward without checking it out. Take for example a recent series of memes showing Barack Obama with his hands folded in front of him as others stand at attention. The meme claims he will not salute the flag, say the Pledge of Allegiance, even sing the National Anthem. Here's an example:

But a quick check at the Urban Legends and Snopes websites, gives several logical explanations. Can you guess what the explanation is for the next picture?

On many such occasions, the band is playing Hail to the Chief! Wouldn't it be weird to salute yourself? Here's more at the Snopes website about this issue as well as flag etiquette from an expert.
 
My point is simply that you can take this sort of criticism a bit too far. I call it "bearing fall witness against thy neighbor" and if you follow the ten commandments, you really should make sure you check your facts before prevaricating in public. That's an even more serious sin!

Whether you consider yourself a religious person or not, the following is excellent advice:

There are six things that the LORD strongly dislikes, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

—Proverbs 6:16–19