Comments on: Telling the Truth

By: Abe Froman

Abe Froman — Fri, 21 May 2010 16:44:26 +0000

listen… it’s not an opinion when you’re always right.

this town needs an enema.

By: B Crump

B Crump — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:12:46 +0000

This topic brings to mind my confusion over why we, myself included, must have an “opinion” about EVERYTHING. Even without knowing the answer, it seems culturally imperative to provide and defend an opinion whether it be about politics, religion, healthcare, colleagues, or the weather. Why is it so hard to simply say, “I don’t know where I stand on that”?

Do we risk becoming “jacks of all trades and masters of none” when we overload our RAM with information about so many different topics that we forego the ability to provide expert analysis of critical data? It begins to look like a clever little trap to me…one worthy of a masterfully deceptive adversary…but then again, what do I know…it’s just another of my “opinions”.

By: Carl E. Creasman, Jr.

Carl E. Creasman, Jr. — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:10:45 +0000

Honesty remains the best policy. I have found, as both a public speaker and a professor, credibility goes UP when I admit what I don’t know, or that I made a mistake. I remember clearly how bad President Bush looked when he could not admit to making mistakes. Similarly, Obama looks equally smug and arrogant. As Christians, we should have no problem admitting when a question is beyond our current realm of knowledge.

By: George Barna

George Barna — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:48:29 +0000

Agreed, when you have a one-on-one or one-on-several conversation – or even in a class etting – you can use thet “I’ll get back to you” response. (BTW, I find personally that few who say that ever do get back to me…) But it’s a different ballgame when you’re live on national TV or a network radio broadcast. Truth is still the solution, no argument about that, but it’s more difficult when you know you’re being interviewed because you’re “the expert” and have to admit you’re clueless.

By: Jim Roberts

Jim Roberts — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:57:43 +0000

Typical proper response: “I don’t know, but I will find the answer and get back to you.”

I like that you used Orwell’s quote of “universal deceit”.
Reminds me of: Matthew 24: 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

The 4th commandment (on worship) has been a victim.

By: Dalene

Dalene — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:58:19 +0000

Agreed – always better to tell the truth!

As a prehealth academic advisor at a state university, I sometimes do not know the answer to questions posed by students; there’s always something new. Within my office setting, I quickly call or stop by another advisor’s office to try to find the answer. If none of us know, I do the research to find the answer & then get back to the student at a later time. Time consuming? Yes. Worth it? Yes! My appointment evaluations by students have specifically noted their appreciation at my saying “I don’t know…but I’ll try to find out” instead of making up an answer.

My colleagues do the same. Even when giving presentations, we will state that we do not know but will try to find out the answer & then post the answer to our student email listserv & blog.

I cannot stress enough how much people appreciate honesty & realness. It’s actually to our benefit to admit that we don’t have all the answers. It’s almost contrary to what we might think: that admitting we don’t know it all essentially gives us more honor & credibility…& the chance to grow wiser.