Alternative Facts...

I'll bet that President Trump's advisor, Kellyanne Conway, is very, very sorry for coining the phrase "alternative facts" in an attempt to defend White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, who was himself under "attack" for defending some whoppers "someone else" told about the inaugural crowd size. My guess is that as soon as she uttered it, Ms. Conway thought to herself, "OH boy, THAT was a bad idea!" The phrase now lives in infamy.

Still, now that it is here--and has taken on a life of its own--maybe we can look at it from a biblical and theological angle.

The Bible is full of "alternative facts." Jesus gave us a lot of them: "Love your enemies"; "Turn the other cheek"; and "Forgive seventy times seven." These alternative facts certainly go against the popular wisdom that springs from the human psyche. Hating our enemies, getting even with those who hit first, and, in terms of the one on forgiving, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." Why, the very idea of grace is an alternative fact when held up against retaliation, retribution, and a chronic judgmental attitude. How about "The last shall be first," and "The one who wants to be greatest of all must become the servant of all"? These biblical alternative facts come to light when the narrative is describing the Kingdom (Realm) of God that is and will be among us. That's because it is an alternate paradigm of priorities, relationships, and human interaction, not to mention a different kind of justice.

Theology is always postulating "alternative facts" as to the origin of the universe and the purpose of human existence, at least over and against the facts as can be ascertained by the scientific method. Theology also seeks to explain love. Science and psychology can only observe, describe, and relate it to hormones, synapses, and the chemical memory bank of the human mind.

If you ask my dear Dara for directions to a place, and ask me at the same time, she will get out a map, while I punch in an address on my car's navigation. The routes we offer may differ, but they will both get you there--mine usually the fastest way, while hers the shortest and most direct way. They are both facts, but to each other, they are "alternative facts."

A problem arises, though, when a phrase like "alternative facts" is used to describe something that is absolutely wrong, and provably so. Calling it an "alternative fact" is seeking to give it credence when it deserves none.

In fact (don't you just love my turn of a phrase?), the world is full of "alternative facts" when examining reality, concepts, ideas, or theories, as one's experience, perspective, or field of discipline may generate "facts" different than someone with a different viewpoint. But to call a statement that is totally false an "alternative fact" heads us down a very different path.

For now, I'm giving Ms. Conway the benefit of the doubt. Still, I enjoy poking fun at the use of the phrase, for in speaking it forth, she has generated more Facebook posts and upcoming Saturday Night Live routines that we can imagine. My guess is that within the next two years, the people at the Oxford Dictionary will announce they are adding "alternative facts" to their volume.

Shalom, Yinz.