It is easier to make reference to reality than it is to live in it. The term ‘fake news’ has now become a part of our modern vocabulary, to the disgust of those whose job it is to report actual newsworthy events.
The offense is understandable, nobody likes a finger in their face condemning their efforts as fake. In the moment your mind would naturally perceive the word ‘fake’ to mean the complete opposite of something real or true. Fake I far away, opposed even an enemy of real.
Yet fake is often not as far away as we think. There are fake shoes and handbags which are almost identical to the real brand name original. Some fake fashion accessories are even produced in the same factories as the real. Though a fake can be referenced from the real by in almost every detail, it still remains fake. It is also justified to term it as a fake.
In my opinion, like it or not, many mainstream news outlets have drifted far enough from the facts to earn the term ‘fake’. 95% of what is reported may be real news, but there is enough exaggeration, deceit and nothing burgers to warrant the shame of being coined ‘fake news.’
For as long as I can remember I have been drawing cartoons, I can do it well enough to give some people enjoyment out of it. Cartooning whether done well or badly is basically the best most of us can do artistically. It is simply referencing something and exaggerating it’s features so people can get a general idea of what we are trying to portray.
They may even be entertained. It’s kind of like a lot of preaching, lots of gross exaggeration for effect so hopefully something is remembered.
Actually, depicting reality while maintaining true honesty is an art. It takes a real master to do so. The great painter Rembrandt is revered for his unflattering self-portraits at different stages of his life. He was a master of light and shadow and his paintings almost seem alive with the presence of the people portrayed. I find his and other similar work by the old masters to be even more real than the hyper realism art of some talented people today.
Hyper realism
Hyper realism is so detailed it can give the illusion of a photo. For me this detracts from reality, to make a painting look alive while Cleary showing evidence of the painting process is the greatest genius. The image and the process portrayed in honest unity is true reality.
As the world descends into more and more ideological madness I have now philosophically concluded that grasping reality does not come naturally. It is in fact a skill, forged in a love of truth, experience and observation.
Let’s face it. You are fake news. Most of what you portray merely makes reference to your real self.
We broadcast a version of ourselves which is altered and censored for the masses. We exaggerate, flatter, hide and even harm ourselves. Something deep within us knows reality is hard to accept, so we either embellish or hide who we truly are. Ever since the serpent made Eve rethink who she really was and what God really said, we have suffered under the bondage of fake news.
There is a solution to our dilemma. The good news. We have seen not a mere shadow copy or reference to our true self in Christ, but the very substance of who we are. A portrait of truth painted in the presence of God.
Christ put away every persona and mask, buried our cultural and religious stereotypes and destroyed our fences of fear. Man’s true image is not found in countries or cultures, regions or religions. The son of man is the son of God. Christ reveals the good news that man is not a less valuable or slightly different forgery. We are in fact an original bearing God’s signature. You are the Masters revealed mystery. Christ is all and in all! Stop spreading Fake news. Find the good news and report it with joy!
Joshua Robbie is currently serving the Lord under Pastors Ronnie and Shirley Naidoo of KZN Celebration Centre in Tongaat South Africa. He and His wife Rene’ moved from Australia to South Africa in April 2016. Their desire is to help in whatever way they can so that the church can become all that God has purposed her to be. Josh also enjoys sports such as surfing, basketball and boxing.
Josh Robbie previous articles may be viewed