To Tell the Truth

This evening I reluctantly tuned in to a new television series - a game show called "The Moment of Truth."

For those of you not yet familiar with this show, it works fairly similarly to other game shows such as "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" where there is a single contestant who is asked to answer a series of questions correctly in order to move up a ladder of cash prizes. One incorrect answer causes the contestant to lose and leave with no prize money.

The catch is that in this show, the questions are based on ones that the contestant answered during a polygraph test - many of them regarding sensitive issues in that person's life. The answer is only considered correct if the contestant answers it truthfully (in accordance with the polygraph results) in front of family members and, of course, a national audience.

These questions generally force the contestant to admit to any "wrongdoing," in thought or deed. For example, the questions on tonight's episode ranged from "Have you ever stolen anything from work?" to "Would you cheat on your wife if you knew you wouldn't get caught?" Basically, the idea is that people win bigger prizes the more they are willing to admit to things of which they are ashamed.

This whole concept raises some questions for me. Like many other people, I value honesty greatly. I take very seriously the commandment not to bear false witness. However, is it possible to be too truthful?

Take the act of detraction, for example. Just like calumny, it's a form of slander. When one commits detraction, they are defaming someone by voluntarily telling a harmful truth about them that should not be told. Though they are telling the truth, they are doing so in a way that is meant to harm the reputation; perhaps bringing up past mistakes for which someone has already made reparations and penance.

I remember a sermon by the pastor in my former church. He said something along the lines of how he does not openly share his past mistakes with people because he does not want to boast about his life before Christ came into it. In other words, he doesn't think that it's right to glorify his sinful past in any way. Explaining it in terms of God's mercy is different, but if it's done in a way that glorifies the sin or makes the sin seem okay, then it only acts as a stumbling block.

It's one thing to confess something to get forgiveness. It's a totally different thing to confess for money. What this show is doing is asking people to prostitute their sins. The contestants solicit it by volunteering for the show and the viewers patronize it by watching. What good does it do for people to share their deepest, darkest, most shameful secrets on television?

On the other hand, I couldn't help but notice that, at least during this one episode, there appeared to be a healthy response to the contestant's brutal honesty. He found himself asked to admit resentment towards his mother for things done in the past. Though the truth might have been hard to hear (and hard to divulge), it was followed by acceptance, forgiveness and reconciliation. You couldn't help but think that, in this case at least, this family was better off for having participated in this. Still, why does it need to be displayed on television?

I think that I will refrain from watching this show in the future for the same reason why I usually shun "Dr. Phil" and shows like the "Judge Judy" and "The People's Court." There's simply no reason why I need to hear about the shortfalls of complete strangers. In my opinion, all it does is breed either self-righteousness or a false understanding of sin.

In the early Church, confession took place communally. People in the church were expected to confess their sins with a contrite heart in front of the whole community of believers and do some penance for them in order to avoid excommunication. Ironically, I used to think that this was the practice that the Church should strive for as opposed to confessing sins only to a priest or, in the cases of many protestant churches, God alone. These days, however, I feel that there are few congregations who could listen to a scandalous confession with love and mercy instead of judgement and self-righteousness. How many "Christians" would be strong enough not to allow the story of another believer's sin to be a stumbling block to them? Would you feel able to stand up in front of the people in your church and ask for their forgiveness for a public lie? Lustful thoughts? A more 'egregious' sin? Do you think that they would respond to you with Christ-like love and forgiveness?

"Finally, brothers, whaever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." - Phillipians 4:8 (NIV)