The leading definition of integrity on Dictionary.com is “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.” They may soon need to change the definition, at least here in the U.S.A. A number of articles, podcasts, and interviews recently reflect a more contemporary, culturally watered-down, manipulative definition of the word.

Regarding immigration, in response to some serious charges concerning ICE activity, violence, and abuse of power, the response given by some key Homeland Security leaders was, “we are doing exactly what we said we would do. We are acting under the highest standards of integrity.” So, integrity means keeping your word, even when that word is hate, contempt, violence, inhumanity, demonization, insult, etc. As long as you do what you say – even if what you say is illegal, unethical, or immoral – you have integrity.

Regarding universities that have caved in on diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, morality, and a commitment to education: “you have to be willing to bend and to compromise. We look at the big picture; we are here to take care of our students. It would be ridiculous for us to stick to our guns when there is so much money involved.” So, if money is at stake, don’t stick to your guns. Integrity means making concessions, compromises, and chameleon-like ethics shifts whenever advantageous.

Regarding care for the poor: “they cannot be trusted to use their (SNAP) benefits wisely. They are overweight, addicted, lazy, and selfish. They lack integrity.” So, poverty lacks integrity. And those who pass judgment, who slander and libel the poor, who deny those in need basic necessities, are paragons of goodness and grace.

Not once in any interview, article, or conversation I have heard recently where integrity was the subject did anyone mention honesty. Rarely were ethics mentioned, though one side hammered on morality. Concepts such as mercy, compassion, empathy, kindness, or a commitment to a common good are simply not mentioned. People who are doing horrible things to the most vulnerable in our world are celebrated for their integrity. Those who are fact checked as serial-liars are lionized for following through on their hateful, harmful, corrupt, and destructive behavior. In the United States of America, integrity has nothing to do with truth, due process, following the law, caring for neighbor, or justice for all.

When did the value of honesty disappear? Is it any wonder that trust is perhaps the rarest commodity in our capitalist culture? When did we decide that integrity meant doing whatever the hell we want to, whenever the hell we want to, regardless of any possible harm we do to someone else? Integrity must mean more than consistency or acting on threats; there must be an ethical basis for doing what is right for the greatest benefit to all. We are so good at making promises with no intention of keeping them. This is as true in religion as it is in politics, as true with family as with strangers. But what if we could commit to a simple standard, oh, I don’t know, like, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” And understand that keeping one’s word isn’t about following through on threats, punishments, condemnations, destructive behavior, but about committing to the good, the beautiful, and the true for everyone on God’s glorious planet. Integrity is, should be, a positive thing. We should never judge a person’s integrity on how well they make things worse just like they vowed, but on how well we

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.” (John Wesley)