Do You Believe in Ghosts?

 I have found several studies related to surveys asking people whether they believe in ghosts.  It is surprising to me that a large percentage of people do.  What they admit differs by whether they are asked in a well-lighted room or in a dark room, whether they are asked privately or when others could hear their replies, and whether they are asked around the time of Halloween!  Ph. D. Professor Tok Thompson believes that, "Ghosts have an interesting role in that they are a really well-believed and well discussed, but completely an unofficial part of our culture."  Thompson is not only a professor but also a folklorist, an author, and a professor of anthropology.  

Ghosts play a big role in literature and movies.  I decided to write this blog because of an interview I watched of members of the cast of a tv series about ghosts.  The cast was excited to be preparing for a third season.  Apparently, ghosts are popular!  Of course, they get the most attention at Halloween.  I know of some people who do not allow their children to participate in Halloween activities for reasons of their faith.  I also know of churches who host Halloween parties for children in their congregations.  Different cultures regard Halloween differently.

We associate ghosts with certain places, particularly haunted houses and graveyards.  We have stories about friendly ghosts and evil ghosts, with scarry ghosts someplace in the middle.  People make distinctions between "a" ghost and "my" ghost.

I know people who have attended a seance and believe the spirit medium who delivered a message during the seance could have only known that information through contact with a dead person.  I do not believe in ghosts, and I have never attended a seance, but I must admit that one of my favorite romantic moves is the 1990 film "Ghost."  In that movie, a mugger kills Sam, played by Patrick Swaze.  Molly, played by Demi More, watches as Sam is taken to Heaven by Angels.  As the ghost of Sam watches over Molly, I cry every time...even harder since the death of actor Patrick Swaze.  So, I don't believe in Ghosts, but that doesn't keep me from crying whenever I watch that movie.

Remember my reference to the difference between 'a ghost' and 'my ghost'?  I guess the ghost I allow myself to believe in must be Patrick Swaze!     

Do Lies Matter?

 I have written about lying in this blog in the past, but the common acceptance of it continues to trouble me.  A study at the University of Massachusetts found that 60% of people cannot go 10 minutes without lying at least once.  A study at the University of Virginia found that people are more likely to lie over the phone than in person, and another study found people were more likely to lie to strangers.  The list of reasons range from protecting themselves or others, gaining social acceptance, avoiding the consequences of illegal or disreputable activity, and to gain an advantage, to maintain privacy, and to avoid looking foolish or ignorant.  

The studies I read did not seem to include internet lying.  If people are more likely to lie over the telephone than in person, I would assume than lying on the internet is even more common.  Some of the reasons seem more understandable than others, but from my perspective, the acceptance of lying is disheartening.  Many famous people have expressed their concerns and disapproval about lying.  However, as I share some of their comments, you will notice that many of those I quote are long dead!  Do modern commentators find lying less disreputable? 

Here are some thought provoking quotes:

He who tells a lie is not sensible to how great a task he undertakes, for he must be forced to invent twenty more to maintain that one. Alexander Pope, 1688-1744, English Poet and Translator. 

Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest.  Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomate, printer, publisher and political philosopher.

It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.  Noel Coward, 1899-1973, English Playwright, composer, director, actor, singer.

The cruelest lies are often told in silence.  Robert Lewis Stevenson, 1859-1894, Novelist essayist, poet, and travel writer.

I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.  Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900, German Philosopher, prose poet, critic, philologist, and composer.

A good liar knows that the most effective lie is always a truth that has had a key piece removed from it.  Carlos Ruiz Aafon, Spanish Novelist, 1964-2020, and author of one of my favorite books, The Shadow of the Wind.

And, continuing with two living authors, I don't like lies...even lies of omission.  Hard truths can be delt with, triumphed over, but lies will destroy your soul.  Patricia Briggs, American author of fantasy.

The trust of the innocent is the liar's most useful tool.  Stephen King, American author of Supernatural fiction, suspense, and crime.

I believe lies do matter, and I fear that the disrespect for truthfulness is a threat to the Nation.  George Washington was known for his firm moral conscience.  His leadership as our first President was very important to the young nation and what he helped shape in those first years.  For 200 years, he was known for his honesty as a little boy for admitting to his father that he was the one who cut down the cherry tree.  That story of a little boy who 'could not tell a lie' became a part of what was expected for our leadership and for its citizens.  

The irony is that an itinerate minister named Mason Locke Weems, set out to make Washington a role model for young men by mythologizing young Washington's life.  For over 200 years, the story of chopping down the cherry tree was taken as fact.  The myth that Weems created almost certainly would have displeased Washington, whose integrity should have given Weems many accurate examples to describe Washington's honesty and sense of responsibility, rather than inventing a false story.    

 I believe neglect of telling the truth matters, and I have chosen to share the words quoted above to express my feelings about that importance.  Our justice system depends on people willing to tell the truth.  Those we elect to office are expected to honor the oath of office they have taken.  Contracts mean nothing if those who enter into them have no intention of honoring what they have contracted to do. Reflecting on whether lies matter seems important to me.