Which is more important? Authenticity or sincerity?
Today's society seems to give preference, if not greater importance, to one being sincere over and against one being authentic. Perhaps because in our dominant moral relativism we over emphasize intentions and feelings. Yet what purpose is there if someone is sincere without being authentic? How do you know if someone is even sincere, especially when you barely know the person?
Case in point: a politician
I need not even name a particular politician, let alone party affiliation, without many people jumping to the conclusion that such and such politician is a liar, or corrupt, or out for power, greed, or some other vice-related endeavor. Yet the majority of people elect these individuals to public service. Why? Some might say, lesser of two evils. Yet I suspect the majority feels the politician is sincere in enough ways that align with their own sincerity. Political campaigns, like any marketing campaign, rely on this transaction. Polls are done to take the pulse of the people. In other words, we are asked what concerns us, but are given carefully crafted choices to select. The setup is to extract the state of our feelings on specific topics or areas of concerns so as to write the narrative of how a politician or political party can echo sincerity with voters. It's the classic, "I feel your pain."
So when sincerity is debased from authenticity, We the People are governed not by servants but by swindlers. We are sueded by sincerity instead of aligning ourselves together in authenticity. Our elections tend to be based on personalities instead of principles. Society has become a cult of personality instead of a civilization based on principles. That's what happens when sincerity becomes more important than authenticity.
We need be not just sincere about living authentically, we must be authentic in our living. The truest way to the authentic life is the virtuous path. Temper our passions, not surpress or excite them, so the deepest desires of hearts will be satisfied. Choose wisely what is true, good, and beautiful and we will endure the trials and temptations that depress and distract us from living well. Seek justice not according to earthly contracts, but heavenly covenants. And realize that the Good Life is not here and now, but awaits us after death. Therefore we must gird our loins and fortify our wills to give all honor and glory to God, for he is the source and The Way to eternal life. Sincerity may be ours, but His is authenticity.
