Does integrity matter? Is it important to tell the truth? Absolutely!

            Recently the newspapers I read have been filled with some very interesting stories. The stories have been about ethics, morals, and truth-telling. Suddenly, across our nation, there seems to be an awakening to the importance of honesty, of speaking the truth, and of living with integrity. Among Americans there seems to be a deep hunger to discover leaders who live with integrity, who accept responsibility, who say what they mean, and who live above selfish self-interest.

            Some people are surprised by this sudden concern for morals and ethics among Americans, yet, there have been many of us lamenting for many years the erosion of morals and ethics in the public square and in the domain of religion. Our recent interest in ethics seems to be tied to the sensational headlines we are reading. We have discovered that executives of major corporations “cooked the books.” Coaches of high-profile universities have “doctored” their resumes. Bishops of the Catholic Churches in America have shielded priests who abused children. Martha Stewart is accused of finding insider-trading to be a “good thing” for her. Members of Congress have traded the power of their position for personal financial gain.

            Ironically, these stories have been found on the pages of newspapers across our nation for years. In many ways, there is nothing new here, so why the sudden public interest in ethics and truth-telling? From my perspective, we don’t have to look any further than to the stock market. In recent weeks, the stock market experienced a steady slide recording new milestones for one-day losses. Investors have lost millions, perhaps billions of dollars. Individuals have discovered their retirement plans decimated by the tumble the stock market has taken. Many experts in financial matters have linked this present economic crisis to the revelations of corporate greed. Corporate executives have lied about profits. They have engaged in creative accounting practices. They have raided corporate profits to secure personal luxuries. American investors don’t know who they can trust. So the question begs for an answer, “Does integrity matter?” If the days of plummeting stocks offer a clue, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Americans are now outraged, and they are demanding the full force of the law be applied to these executives.

            In recent days, new legislation has been rushed through Congress attempting to enforce integrity and ethics in the corporate world. On the 29^th of July, President Bush signed into law a new bill attempting to crackdown on business fraud. The bill promises “hard time” for crimes committed by business executives. In signing the bill, President Bush remarked, “This law says to every dishonest corporate leader, ‘You’ll be exposed and punished.’ The era of low standards and false profits is over.” [Story by Marcy Gordon for the Associated Press printed in the Paducah Sun, 31 July 2002, Vol. 106, No. 212]  In a world that has for so long minimized morals, it is refreshing to hear the President address “dishonest corporate leaders.”

            What exactly is it that undermines the public trust? What human action rips the fabric of human relationships? It is quite simply the “lie.” A lie erodes trust. A lie jeopardizes relationships. A lie destroys one’s credibility. A lie undermines one’s integrity. If we cannot be trusted to speak the truth, how can anyone trust us at all? If we cannot be counted on to deal honestly with others, how can we expect to lead others? In recent days, we have witnessed the power of the lie to undermine and destroy.

            For many years now, I have been perplexed by our casual attitude toward lying. This attitude is not only reflected in what has transpired on the national scene, but by what we accept daily in our relationships with others. It is amazing to me that people lie when there is no reason to lie. It is even more amazing to me that we often accept and defend those people who lie to us. It was quite refreshing for me to read federal judge Lesley Wells comments to the former Congressman from Ohio James A. Traficant at his sentencing. She said to him, “Truth, sir, is a rarity in you.” She also lectured him, “Your drumbeat is the drumbeat of the big lie. It’s an old tactic. Some people believe you, but the jury wasn’t fooled . . . You shamelessly abused the public trust.” [Story by Carl Chancellor written for the Akron Beacon Journal and printed in the Paducah Sun, 31 July 2002, Vol. 106, No. 212] It has been a long time since we have heard a judge call them like she sees them—a lie is always a lie no matter who the speaker might be.

            As people of faith, we cannot simply decry the sad state of ethics and morals in our American society. We must become vigilant in demanding the truth. We must be willing to expose the lie. We must remember that according to the witness of Genesis it was the power of a lie that sent us hurling down the path of rebellion. The serpent told a lie about God, and Adam and Eve believed him. As people of faith, we must understand why God so thoroughly hates the lie. Jesus himself identified Satan or the Confuser as a liar. A lie does unspeakable damage to people.

            Does integrity matter? Is it important to speak the truth? A lie undermines and destroys everything. A lie will shatter a marriage and destroy a friendship. A lie will pervert the rule of law. A lie will undermine trust in religious institutions. A lie will send the stock market tumbling. Does integrity matter? Is it important to tell the truth? Absolutely! If you don’t believe me, read the newspaper. If you don’t believe me, assess the wounds inflicted upon your life by someone who lied to you. As people of faith responding to the moral and ethical crisis documented by the newspapers, let us demand integrity and truth-telling among us that we may be a light unto the world.