March 29 Martha's Musings

I am a fan of the TV show “Survivor”. I like the many intricate games they play, the islands where the show is shot, and Jeff Probst’s continuous commentary. As I was watching tonight, it hit me like a ton of bricks how the show emphasizes that one must be a great liar to have a chance of winning. They repeatedly refer to deceit and lying as the only way to make a good “alliance” with the other players. These players are their fellow teammates, as all the contestants are assigned to a “tribe”. So, the point is to decide whom you can trust and to whom you must lie, to increase your chances of winning. Eventually, those supposed ties will be broken, which is a necessity to win the prize money. And they will be broken by lying, the very thing the contestants have been encouraged to do. Personally, I could never be a contestant on this show. Ignoring entirely that I am neither young enough nor athletic enough to be chosen, I also will not lie, especially just to win a contest. “Thou shalt not bear false witness” is the ninth commandment. (Exodus 20:16 and Deuteronomy 5:20). It has a legal tinge to it, as “bearing false witness” is thought to refer to testifying under oath. Most theologians feel that the core of the commandment, however, refers to telling the truth in any situation. There is no way that intentionally lying to win money is good. And yes, I understand that it is just a game. My concern is that not all viewers have the age and experience to make this distinction. I think it is unfortunate that other ways to win the contest are not presented. Lying is a sin, so insisting that the contestants commit a sin to win is just wrong. I am pretty sure that “Oh well, it’s just a game” would not hold up before the Almighty. And that is really the only thing that matters.

Blessings,
Martha Arizpe, St. John’s Prayer Team