Does embellishment detract from the overall message?

In her initial defense of James Frey’s book, “A Million Little Pieces,” Oprah Winfrey reportedly suggested that embellishing the truth, at least in the case of a book, when it serves a higher purpose, is morally OK. Her opinion came after the memoir about addiction and recovery was found to contain fabricated claims. Although she has reversed her view, Winfrey originally said those embellishments are irrelevant when the message of the story can help people. Do you think that embellishing the truth, or even lying, can be morally justified?

Lying is common, and we’ve all done it, but it can produce harsh consequences.

Each moral decision makes us either more like God or more like the devil. God does not lie to accomplish His will. He cannot lie. The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of Truth.” Jesus said, “I am the truth.” In contrast, “ ... there is no truth in [the devil] ... whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.” (John 8:44). Who’s your daddy?

Lying is sin, and “sin ... brings forth death.” (James 1:15). Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all lied, but God never commended them for it. God blessed them in spite of their lying, not because of it. The lies of each yielded only grief and complication.

It’s hard for others to trust us once they discover we’ve lied to them. Are we willing to risk our integrity?

Would I lie to “embellish” a book or a sermon? No. Would most of us lie to prevent grievous harm to someone? Probably. Jesus said, “The truth shall make you free.” Ultimately, the greatest adherence to the truth will produce the greatest freedom.

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank

Not being truthful is always wrong regardless of circumstances. Using Oprah’s rationale, it would be acceptable to steal “just a little” in order to help the poor. After all, giving to the needy is noble, morally upright and serves a higher purpose. Obviously, this is a flawed approach to life which can lead to moral depravity.

In my opinion, the messenger is as significant, possibly even more significant, then the message. People learn by example more so then by principle. No matter how important and purposeful the message, if it delivered by a dishonest person, it will not be accepted.

Frey obviously has an important story to tell and a powerful message to offer. Had he mustered the courage to tell the truth, he may have helped many people overcome their addictions. Sadly, now that he has been exposed, the chances of anyone learning from him are slim.

Frey has learned many important lessons from his addictions and subsequent recovery. This episode may be the most valuable lesson of them all.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

Frey’s book is presented not as a work of fiction, but rather as a chronicling of a dark time in his life when he was overcome by the effects of drug addiction.

He subsequently blamed the use of exaggeration on having been in a fog much of the time in question, and that some literary fabrications were employed to further the message of the book. A work of this nature can serve a great purpose by being a cautionary story, warning others away from similar life mistakes.

The problem remains, however, that the exposed untruths leave the reader to wonder how much of the rest of the book is to be believed, thus diluting it’s positive effect. A work of fiction or drama is not a lie, since the reader or audience is privy to the invention of events, and can suspend disbelief when necessary.

A piece of documented history that embellishes to make a point manipulates and fools the reader, and can create a cynical public, immune to the effects of a positive message.

In the Baha’i writings we read that “the worst of qualities and most odious of attributes, which is the foundation of all evil, is lying,” and that “truth is the foundation of all virtues.” We also read that the arts can “uplift the world of being and are conducive to its exaltation.”

Thus, even a written work delving into the dark world of drug abuse can serve to uplift the reader by bringing about enlightenment, especially when aided by an honest accounting of events.

BARBARA CRAMER

Secretary of the Spiritual

Assembly Baha’is of Glendale

Oprah dropped the ball on this one. What kind of a lesson is she teaching when she says it is OK to seriously embellish the truth in a nonfiction book? It would have been so much more acceptable if she had said something like -- “I wish the author hadn’t embellished the truth, but it is still a great read and I continue to recommend the book.”

As I understand it, Frey wrote the book as a novel and his publisher talked him into having it sold as nonfiction. The publisher, if it knew of the embellishments, is an equal partner in this apparent literary crime.

The book should be moved from the nonfiction category immediately. It obviously never should have been in this department in the first place.

THE REV. THOMAS E.

WITHERSPOON

Unity Church of the Valley

La Crescenta

While Oprah may be right in saying that a fabricated story can help somebody sometime, I think she is wrong when she says embellishing the truth is OK.

And therefore I believe that James Frey was wrong for embellishing the truth in his book. If one wants to make a point but has to make something up to make that point, then write fiction. There are some great fictional works of literature. But to write something that purports to be the truth, which turns out to be not the truth, undermines the whole enterprise. It was the rock group the Eagles, I believe, that sang “You Can’t Hide Those Lyin’ Eyes.”

Well, I think we live in “Lyin’ Times,” from embellishing resumes to Milli Vanilli lip-synching some song that they were supposed to sing “live.” Even our government lies to us sometimes. The truth may set us free, but we need to hear the truth before our freedom can occur!

THE REV. C.L.

“SKIP” LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the

Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

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