Chapter 1: Understanding Hypocrisy

If you take a stand for what you believe in, you might find yourself labeled a hypocrite. However, it’s crucial to stand firm regardless of that label.

I admit it: I’m a hypocrite. And chances are, if you have any principles at all, you are too, according to the Oxford dictionary’s definition of hypocrisy, which refers to “claiming to have moral standards or beliefs that one’s own behavior does not align with.”

But there’s no need for alarm; you’re not alone.

Simply type “hypocrisy” along with any politician's name into a search engine, and you’ll find countless examples. For instance, Boris Johnson faced backlash for attending COVID parties, while Mitch McConnell has been criticized on multiple fronts, particularly regarding his defense of the filibuster. Kamala Harris has faced accusations for advising migrants against coming to the U.S., and even Angela Merkel has been scrutinized for her support of authoritarian regimes.

High-profile activists aren’t spared either. Climate advocate Greta Thunberg has been accused of hypocrisy for driving an electric car and even drinking from a straw; some people might suggest she’s hypocritical for simply existing. Bono, often referred to as “Saint Bono” for his anti-poverty efforts, has also been criticized for condemning large corporations that exploit tax loopholes while allegedly doing the same.

Nobel Peace Prize winners don’t escape this scrutiny either. As Arwa Mahdawi pointed out in The Guardian, many of them, like Aung San Suu Kyi and Barack Obama, have been accused of hypocrisy. She did mention Archbishop Desmond Tutu as a potential exception, but even he has his detractors.

Even the Dalai Lama has acknowledged his own hypocrisy, admitting he could have relinquished his political authority sooner.

If the Internet were to draft its own commandments, one would undoubtedly be: Do not be a hypocrite.

It takes little to draw the Internet's ire; it usually follows a simple two-step process: 1. Publicly commit to a significant issue. 2. Stay in the public eye long enough to give critics an example of you contradicting your stated values.

You don’t need to be a celebrity to be considered hypocritical; anyone can fall into this category. If being a hypocrite were something to aspire to, platforms like Medium would be flooded with enticing headlines like, “How I Became a Hypocrite in Just One Week on Twitter.”

Most individuals, of course, prefer to be seen as people of integrity—those whose actions align with their words.

Moreover, if the label sticks, it can be disempowering. While calling someone a hypocrite isn’t a valid way to disprove an argument, it’s a highly effective rhetorical tactic: by successfully labeling someone a hypocrite, you not only diminish the strength of their argument but also cast doubt on their right to engage in the discussion. Suddenly, your opponent finds themselves defending their character instead of their principles.

However, the disempowering effect of being labeled a hypocrite isn’t entirely negative. Those in power should indeed be held accountable for their hypocrisy, particularly when it serves a cynical agenda.

But what about the rest of us?

I recall a car ride to a conference focused on social justice with a friend. We stopped for lunch and faced two fast-food options. One used Styrofoam packaging, while the other had recently been criticized for supporting human rights violations. Skipping lunch was an option, but it’s challenging to find food that isn’t connected to some unethical practice.

So what are our options? I can see two primary paths.

The first is to withdraw entirely—avoid taking a public stance on pressing issues that affect our world. Many choose this route, adopting a “don’t notice me, I’m not involved” attitude. They avoid joining causes, committing to specific philosophies, or engaging with moral dilemmas.

After all, if you never stand up, you can’t be knocked down.

However, the world desperately needs individuals willing to take a stand.

In fact, I would argue that the world needs you to stand up, regardless of who you are, as long as you strive to advocate for what’s right.

Yes, you may be labeled a hypocrite for doing so. You might even find that you are one.

But if your hypocrisy isn’t intentional or malicious, then what’s the problem? Instead of treating our unavoidable contradictions as a source of shame, why not view the criticism as a chance for growth? Perhaps acknowledging our hypocrisies—both big and small—can guide us toward better actions that align with our values.

It requires a dose of humility to turn hypocrisy into an opportunity for personal growth and clarification. True humility isn’t about self-deprecation; it’s the simple grace that allows individuals, like the Dalai Lama, to recognize their own contradictions. It’s the willingness to accept our flaws alongside the understanding of our inherent worth.

“Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?” a journalist asked Pope Francis during his first public interview.

The pope responded, “I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.”

The pope doesn’t hate himself; he acknowledges his “human frailty,” including his significant errors related to clerical sex abuse.

Perhaps the true sin of hypocrisy isn’t the unavoidable, accidental contradictions we all accumulate—especially those of us who take vocal stances on complicated issues. Instead, the real sin may be failing to humbly recognize and rectify those contradictions, particularly when they cause harm to others.

So, don’t let the fear of being labeled a hypocrite deter you from advocating for what truly matters. Approach your stance with humility.

The world needs more, not fewer, hypocrites like that.

Chapter 2: Embracing the Complexity of Life

In the video "Nobody likes hypocrisy but we're all hypocrites" by Dr. @briandavidearp, the complexities of human behavior are examined. The discussion emphasizes that hypocrisy is often a part of being human, and it encourages viewers to embrace this reality rather than shy away from it.

The second video, "Things Jesus Said About Hypocrisy | Online Service," explores the teachings of Jesus regarding hypocrisy and the importance of self-reflection. It challenges viewers to look inward and understand their own actions in relation to their beliefs.