Misinformation is a Problem

Misinformation is a lie that sounds like it could be true and useful information. But when you listen to it, you are deceived and your behavior and decisions are compromised as a result. When you believe fake news you make choices that are bad for your own self interest, and bad for the well being of others.

Expulsion from Paradise by Michelangelo

The original example of misinformation happened in the Bible in the Garden of Eden. God told Adam and Eve to eat anything they wanted to, except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Then the serpent came along, and uttered the first fake news. His fake news was highly effective because it sounded reasonable, but was deeply untrue and hurtful. He persuaded Eve and then Adam to eat the fruit by arguing that the fruit was good to eat, and that they would be more like God. In reality, they didn’t get immediately sick, but were forced out of the garden. They lost their innocence and the only knowledge they gained was that they had been deceived by evil.

CoronaVirus is like Misinformation

One current example of misinformation is the Novel CoronaVirus. Why? All around the virus are little proteins sticking out like spikes. You have probably seen a picture or graphic. The proteins on these “spikes” are like misinformation. They appear to be something friendly and useful to certain cells of your body. So your cell allows it to attach and once attached the virus injects its genetic material into your cell. This genetic material is aggressive and destructive. It replicates itself meanwhile destroying your body’s cells in the process, and then it spreads to other cells. A virus and misinformation are contagious and destructive. 

Ecce Homo by Hieronymus Bosch

Another example of misinformation is the betrayal, arrest, and trial of Jesus Christ. Jesus was a very unusual person, who many people did not understand. He was loving, merciful, and kind, but he did break social conventions which angered people. So lies or misinformation was spread about him. It was said that he meant to harm people, that he disrespected God, and God’s laws. The misinformation was effective because it seemed like a reasonable explanation for someone so unusual. 

Jesus, a completely innocent and loving person, God’s own son, was killed. That is what we remember tonight. Jesus was betrayed and arrested in a garden because of misinformation. Adam and Eve were tricked by the snake also in a garden. They both happened in a garden! The entire human race at this moment feels like we have been kicked out of a garden. Just a few weeks ago we enjoyed the abundance and a booming economy. But because of the deception of the Novel CoronaVirus, we have been thrust into a more difficult and painful existence.

Truth is the Solution to Misinformation

There is a solution to misinformation and deception. It’s avoiding lies and embracing the truth. We are all asked to shelter in place to avoid