You can't give what you don't have (own)

[Zzyzx]

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You can't give what you don't have (own).

An honest person does NOT give (or pretend to give) away what they do not own (have). They would not give someone a car that they (the giver) does not own. When giving someone a car we provide them with a title -- evidence of ownership. Agreed?

If you 'think' you own a car or real estate but do not have legal possession, title, and bill of sale, you DON'T own it. If you have been deceived by tanking someone's word and not checking, that is your problem -- it is your responsibility to register a REAL title to a vehicle or deed to real estate. If you give it or sell it to someone without actually owning it, you have cheated the person.

Exactly the same applies when 'giving' or telling someone an oral or written statement. If you don't have truthful and accurate information ('own it') you cannot ethically give it to anyone. Claiming knowledge or 'truth' that one does not possess is unethical and devoid of integrity. If someone 'thinks' they have truth but do not, they are STILL responsible for their actions and for any false statements / claims they have made.

How does one learn if they have ('own') truth? Fact-checking -- investigating the truth and accuracy of what they are told / shown -- and NOT passing on false or questionable information. Evidently many are willing to take the word of politicians -- and are learning that is not wise. Preachers, teachers, and parents are not immune to mistakes, lies and deceit.

Have Theists done 'due diligence' (a legal term meaning: The process of systematically researching and verifying the accuracy of a statement) -- in other words 'Fact-Checking'? Has the validity of stories and claims of 'miracles' (including 'resurrection') been checked for accuracy? Have tales of what 'God said' been fact-checked?

OR, have those tales been accepted by taking someone's word -- assuming that what preachers / religion promoters / church fathers / religion promoters said is true and accurate -- and passed on from generation to generation with an assumption of truth and accuracy?

[Zzyzx]

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A person of integrity does not claim to know what they only believe / think / wish they knew -- and does not say, 'It is safe to cross the bridge' unless the bridge has been shown to be safe.

A teacher does not (or should not) teach what they cannot show to be true -- prove -- show their work -- in ways that anyone interested and motivated can check for themselves.

Those who refuse to 'show their work' often have something to hide -- perhaps incomplete or inaccurate or unverifiable information.