The Gospel of Lies

I abhor using the end to justify the means, especially when the means prove to be not only a self-serving lie, but by no means necessary for achieving that desired end (as if that were the desired end anyway — I’m inclined to consider the inspirational benefit to be purely incidental, and that the only intended benefit of this farce was the boost to his own career).

People can get their encouragement, hope, and inspiration from any number of potential sources; if his song had not existed, something else could still have helped them. And in any case, the song could well have provided such hope on its own merit, without having to be supposedly an autobiographical account of his own struggle with illness. Art has inspired people in such ways many times before without being autobiographical, or even directly topical.

The only condition under which “the end justifies the (dishonest) means” is if the end is itself an ethical necessity and if it cannot be achieved any other way — and even then, it often still is not ethically defensible. It certainly isn’t the least bit defensible in this case.

~David D.G.

But let me raise an ethical question: If his song helped many people going through real struggles, does that make his lie any less damaging?

No moreso than it makes the war in Iraq any more justifiable, just because we put Saddam out of power.

The thing is that his ends are his means. He consciously aimed to deceive others, and he lied to do so.

Now, his motives may be separable from his means, and he may indeed have been acting from the best intentions, like any number of historical monsters. But that simply points out why Kant had to go farther with his categorical imperative than simply “do unto others”.

Or, to put it another way, “why” is a beginning, not an end.

I’d say yes, tentatively. If a lie helps someone, it does make it a little bit more justified than if it didn’t help anyone at all. We tell each other little lies all the time to reassure and comfort, even if the doubts and worries in question are real and valid. “It’ll all turn out fine, I’m sure.”

On the other hand, this song promises that Jesus is “all I need” and can “heal all my disease.” My guess is, it may have helped some people feel more hopeful, but it probably also encouraged some people to shun actual medicine in favor of prayer alone. Those detrimental effects would be much larger than any good that the song did. Stephanie raises a good point above, as well — surely some people were harmed by finding out that their inspiration was a hoax.

In the end, this is more damaging than helpful, all around.

“If his song helped many people going through real struggles, does that make his lie any less damaging?”

As somebody who was taken to church as a child at least 3 times a week, I say it makes it worse. You have things like this happen all the time at it makes everybody in the faith seem less genuine to you, no matter how powerful their song/message. People want to see genuine people.

I abhor using the end to justify the means…

“Then ends justify the means” is a saying I detest; the ends should justify the means. The problem is when the ends don’t justify the means.

As for Guglie’… typical lying Christian.

The deception in this case is absolutely unethical. No matter who was “helped” the end result when they find that they were deceived is to despair even further over their condition and to feel betrayed.

Isn’t it a method of psychological torture employed that involves telling a captive he’s free and then returning him to his cell? The anticipated effect of this method is that it breaks the will.

This stunt added to the overall cynicism of the population so that, in the future, the inspiring power of other honest, shining examples of hope/courage/tenacity will be blunted.

“But let me raise an ethical question: If his song helped many people going through real struggles, does that make his lie any less damaging?”

Ends vs. means, and all that. Who knows.

We (“we” meaning Christians, as I am one) are quick to latch onto stuff like this (inspiriational songs, stories of “conversion” by famous people, etc) without understanding and verifying the facts. Sad, really.

Great blog… I’m enjoying the conversation… I have no agenda here as a Christian other than to learn more about the perspectives of others.

TG

Hey I’ve got an exclusive -it’s Father Michael & The Planetshakers new video! [just press on my name to view, come-on I know you want to! ] Cheers. Paul