ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 3, 2025
Truth saves! Falsehoods and disinformation kill! I am baffled by the number of very smart people who buy into what I can only describe as nonsense. I know it has to do with people’s insecurities that desperately want an explanation with a clear cause for why they are feeling apprehensive. And sadly, there are people who, for the purpose of power and/or money, have done the research and know exactly how to manipulate those insecurities.
Anthony Fauci’s autobiography, On Call, has been sitting on a pile of books at my house for quite some time, and I am finally getting to it. Though still a few chapters left, I have found the book to full of insight, with marvelous behind-the-scenes stories, windows of understanding into the complexity of things I approached with some naïveté, and to be honest, I have appreciated getting to know a bit more about the person behind the public figure. Because I grew up amidst the HIV/AIDS crisis, I felt as if I was pretty well informed about what happened. Once again, Fauci’s book provided information that I simply did not know. However, I was familiar with many of the falsehoods and outright lies about HIV, both in this country and around the world. Among those pushing false information were a couple of American scientists who had no real scientific studies to back up their so-called alternative views, but many believed them. Later, the President and Health Minister in South Africa took some of those falsehoods and ran with them. They refused to allow the first medications to treat HIV to be brought into the country, suggesting that it was better to treat HIV with garlic, beetroot, and lemon juice. Today, it is estimated that in the years 2000-2005, this disinformation directly caused an additional 330,000 deaths in South Africa, along with 35,000 infants born with HIV who could have been protected had their mothers been on some of the available drugs.
In John’s Gospel, we learn that knowing the truth will set us free (8:32). For John the Gospel writer, the truth was the truth that is Jesus, but I believe those words “speak truth” beyond their specific context. I am not suggesting genuine disagreements should never happen. Even scientists can have moments of new discovery, but the person who is calling into question multiple double-blind clinical trials to offer an alternative of which there is practically no anecdotal evidence, let alone real evidence, does not have your best interest in mind.
As the truth can set us free, O God of the Universe and Beyond, I pray for wisdom to ask good questions and to be mindful that there are those who put profit over people and self-aggrandizing above self-giving. Continue to provide blessing to those who use their amazing gifts to bring healing and hope to the world. Amen.
