“The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.” (Prov 18:17)
In recent days, I have noticed an increasing use of terms like “misinformation” being thrown around as buzzwords. In most cases, it is used to describe information that is presented contrary to the opinions of the one using the term “misinformation.” Because this term is used with such widespread frivolity these days, it may be wise to examine the implications of using such a term.
What are some underlying reasons why someone might decide to use a word like “misinformation” to label counter-opinions? For one, there may be a benevolent desire to guard truth and dispel unwarranted positions that might otherwise seem attractive to listeners. There might also be some valid cases where “misinformation” is the most appropriate term to label obvious lies. Think of a lawyer in a courtroom, showing the jury based on hard evidence that the other side is deliberately misleading people about the nature and circumstances of a crime.
But in many cases I have observed today, there is another tantalizing reason someone could use the term, “misinformation.” That would be to increase the apparent legitimacy of one’s own argument. To make your position seem more credible, you label others who disagree with you as spreaders of “misinformation.”
For example, someone who really hates dogs might say, “you’re spreading misinformation that dogs are man’s best friend. In reality, they’re just annoying, yappy fur balls.”
Using the term “misinformation” has become a popular way to shut down arguments in public discourse, and it should greatly concern you. To demonstrate the severity and implications of this tactic, I would point to a couple of examples that are prevalent in current issues today. What is someone really saying when they label countering-opinions as “mis- mal- or dis-” information?
Consider this argument from an online magazine seeking to discredit opposition to homosexuality:
“In two recently issued reports from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE), anti-LGBTQ groups “easily” spread dangerous disinformation online about the so-called conversion therapy as tech companies fail to de-platform such content, especially in non-English languages.”
Note: “conversion therapy” is a highly volatile term that has in some cases been broadly applied to demonize more general forms of biblical counseling.
The example above is actually of great importance and relevance today. YouTube—a social media company that depicts itself as providing a free and open platform for people to share their opinions—recently removed a sermon by John MacArthur due to promoting hateful content (this sermon, in part, led to the publication of the aforementioned article). I would encourage you to listen to that sermon on Vimeo if you would like to explore this further. But to summarize, MacArthur made a case for why Christians should lovingly invite people to repent of the sin of homosexuality rather than accepting and encouraging it.
Now, notice how that magazine would present people who do not accept homosexual behavior and ideology as something that is good and right. They are labelled as hateful “anti-LGBTQ groups” that spread disinformation. This is intended to conjure up notions of people misleading others based on false assumptions or dubious authority (conspiracy theorists, offshore click farms, etc.).
Those who understand MacArthur’s commitment to Scripture as the ultimate authority know that he is not attempting to mislead anybody. Therein lies the issue. Christians who do not condone homosexual behavior would appeal to a different Ultimate Authority than a magazine like the one cited above would.
What Christians need to realize is that all epistemological claims rely on an ultimate authority. In days ahead, it will be increasingly important to discern what that ultimate authority is to which people appeal when they make their claims.
Consider the rather audacious update to the department of Homeland security’s definition of what constitutes a terrorist threat in our country:
To sum up, the threat is people spreading “misinformation.” What constitutes “misinformation”? That would be anything that sows distrust in U.S. government institutions. So, in reality, the government is claiming itself to be an ultimate authority. Christians should carefully consider the implications of such a claim.
This has become a regularly anticipated tactic of government and political figures recently. For instance, Dr. Anthony Fauci once claimed that attacks against him are attacks against science itself. This is a bold claim in a day where “science” has become like a god in many peoples’ minds. Fauci equating his own medical opinions with science is like saying that he is an ultimate arbiter of truth, because science agrees with everything he says.
Of course, science, and the scientific method in particular, have traditionally been understood in ways that are quite contrary to the ways people think about it these days. Despite varying educated opinions on particular points of inquiry, people usually throw out phrases like “science shows..” or “that’s what the science says..” to claim that their opinions are the ones supported by people they believe to be the most well-respected experts.
I suspect that this will only become a more prevalent issue in coming days. Since the issue is really ultimate authority, what’s to stop the powers that be from eventually attacking any truth claims in the Bible as “misinformation”?
Concluding Thoughts
The Bible and its truth claims are the favorite target of deceivers because God’s Word is THE Ultimate Authority. Just think about the first lie that was ever told.
And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, v‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 wBut the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Do you see what’s going on there? In the garden, God’s command to not eat the forbidden fruit was presented by the serpent to be misinformation.
Christians need to be extraordinarily discerning as people and organizations in society continue making claims about ultimate authority outside the Bible. It doesn’t automatically discredit everything that someone says to appeal to a different ultimate authority. But at least you know where they’re coming from and where the heart of disagreement lies if someone tells you you’re spreading “MDM.”
Fortifire 