Made-up revelations are dynamite whether involving politicians, entertainment figures, socialite personalities, business people, the clergy and those in missions.
Recently News.com gave an account of such with former Prime Minister Tony Abbott once again denying he was plotting for his old job. This is the nature of political reporting, even a whiff of something 'afoot' the media is on to it - whether there is any validity to it or not.
This is how it goes as per this news article - A senior Liberal source close to Mr Abbott told Fairfax Media the former prime minister maintained a "good chance" of returning to the job because he is popular with the party membership compared to Malcolm Turnbull.
The formal response: But Mr Abbott has launched an unprecedented attack on the reporter over Twitter, describing the report as "unsourced, unattributed and unprofessional" and accusing the journalist of "yet again making things up".
There it is – for all to see – the made-up revelation.
But, I've watched 'Yes Minister' and 'Yes Prime Minister' as has everyone else and we know...
Entertainment and socialites
Nothing more I enjoy more with a loud voice when in the doctor's or dentist's waiting rooms, picking up those inevitably 5-6 year old glossy magazines and glancing at the articles reciting "Wrong again, Wrong again, Wrong again..."
The executive administration officers behind the desk (ie the girls) know what's coming and ignore me, whereas the other 'waitees' (like me, waiting our turn) nod with utter agreement with smiles at ten paces.
It's the industry, its the game, the entertainment and socialite spheres depend on the 'made-up' scenarios – and moreover – where there is a little truth surely there is bucket full of dirt to add.
Sad, we love it. We keep buying them. The latest sensational glimpse at this or that celebrity's life pangs, child birth, ankle biters, the partner (hubby) putting on too much weight, the next gig... whatever.
Ministers and Missions
It gets a whole more serious if the 'made-up' is about a minister or someone in mission, and it's said that the Christian-gossip-rounds are quicker than Email.
Here we have a problem. Now, my wife of 39 years Delma comes with me when we travel in ministry. When our children were growing up and Delma could not come, then one of the children would be with me or a trusted colleague.
This is ministry etiquette 101.
I was reminded of a fellow minister who was to make a home visit to a woman who had previously expressed some interest, and he bought his wife along with him for the home visit. When she opened the front door, dolled-up to the nine-pins, she almost lost her balance in shock to see the minister had bought along his wife.
But it is a whole lot more than this. Made-up accusations can so easily be made against a minister or a mission's worker. He/she failed to shake someone's hand, or didn't ring when supposed to, or make the right sounds, or present the so-called correct theology, or whatever ....
The damage to a reputation can be horrifying and even unanswerable due to the circumstances and moreover there are times truth cannot get out and save the day as the truth has been overlaid with so many variables.
Proven political destructive tactics are renown in the church whereby accusers hide behind committee's and bring charges that rarely if ever have anything to do with the real agenda of getting rid of the target.
Someone recently sent me a note on presenting the 'Gentle Christian ' as opposed to those who would psychologically destroy and maime and the substance of false accusations can often fall away with a 'Gentle Christian's' life and being. Didn't Jesus say something like this.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html