Comments on: The liar http://www.jennfields.com/2008/03/25/the-liar/ writer & editor Sun, 30 May 2010 20:25:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: John http://www.jennfields.com/2008/03/25/the-liar/comment-page-1/#comment-223 John Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:30:05 +0000 http://www.jennfields.com/2008/03/25/the-liar/#comment-223 I am glad you are still working on this project, and asking such interesting questions! I am glad you are still working on this project, and asking such interesting questions!

]]> By: sitting_witty_in_NewYorkCity http://www.jennfields.com/2008/03/25/the-liar/comment-page-1/#comment-177 sitting_witty_in_NewYorkCity Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:08:25 +0000 http://www.jennfields.com/2008/03/25/the-liar/#comment-177 This is a good lesson for all, even when we talk about Biblical "facts" -- can you imagine all the potential fabrications, edits and deletions by Christian church authorities alone over 2,000 years? Perhaps what is more important, as Joseph Campbell so eloquently wrote, is that it's the power of myth that holds society together. Myths give us purpose and identity. In my opinion, myths should have their prominent role in culture and faith, so long as the mythology is acknowledged for what it is: stories rife with lessons, value and meaning but not reliably factual, plausible or accurate. A spiritual adviser can be a powerful medium for this storytelling, but needs to practice what he/she preaches in terms of being transparent about his/her own personal truths. You can't build a credible faith or lasting following on distrust and deception. Or, perhaps I should say, you shouldn't. This is a good lesson for all, even when we talk about Biblical “facts” — can you imagine all the potential fabrications, edits and deletions by Christian church authorities alone over 2,000 years?

Perhaps what is more important, as Joseph Campbell so eloquently wrote, is that it’s the power of myth that holds society together. Myths give us purpose and identity.

In my opinion, myths should have their prominent role in culture and faith, so long as the mythology is acknowledged for what it is: stories rife with lessons, value and meaning but not reliably factual, plausible or accurate.

A spiritual adviser can be a powerful medium for this storytelling, but needs to practice what he/she preaches in terms of being transparent about his/her own personal truths. You can’t build a credible faith or lasting following on distrust and deception.

Or, perhaps I should say, you shouldn’t.

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