I was very sad to yesterday see that 60 Minutes had done a story outlining the many frauds perpetuated by Greg Mortensen, the folk-hero of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools. These alleged lies range from inaccuracies in his own story as well as the neglect of schools that his multi-million dollar charity claims to support.
Jon Krakauer, for whom I have much literary respect (that is until I find out Everest does not exist), details the misdeeds of Mortensen in a free (Today only) PDF called “Three Cups of Deceit”. Jon was once a large supporter of Motensen’s mission, and his case against Greg is seemingly sound. Mortensen’s mission is still noble, and I have no doubt people were helped.
I present this not as a condemnation (though part of me wants to grab him around the neck shouting “You Lied to Me” like Chris Farley in the Columbian Coffee Crystals SNL sketch), but as a reminder of what happens when we deify other humans. Creating an idol from a human creates two problems: 1. It makes us assume that there is no way we could accomplish things of a similar magnitude and 2. When that person messes up, we throw out every bit of that person, including the good parts.
Humanitarians like Mother Theresa often freeze me to inaction more than they motivate me to action. I assume that they are some different breed of person, and when they are accused of sinning (WHICH THEY DOOOO!), I am surprised, shocked, and offended. I lose focus of every aspect of that person, even the things that I should learn from. Humans can inspire us, but they will never measure up to the gods we make of them. Athletes, politicians, and celebrities from Tiger to Mark Sandford have had their transgressions put on every TV in the country. When these things happen, we act surprised. Why do the flaws that we know are in ourselves, surprise us in other people?
The most noble of goals are warped by our humanity. No one is free from the perverting power of our sin. That’s why we all need Jesus.
very insightful and so true. I am guilty as charged. Thank you.