"The Truth Will Set You Free" series of sermons presents sermon #004 on the sin of HYPOCRISY.

Main Entry: hy·poc·ri·sy
Pronunciation: hi-'pä-kr&-sE also hI-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -sies
Etymology: act of playing a part on the stage, hypocrisy, from hypokrinesthai to answer, act on the stage, from hypo- + krinein to decide -- more at CERTAIN
1 : a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or a cause
2 : an act or instance of hypocrisy

SERMON #004

Brothers and sisters of Amarr, faithful of God, all honorable citizens of our holy Empire, I come today to speak of sin and the ways one can fall into the trap of sin should they abandon what is true. While normally I talk about positives in our lives like virtue, unity, commitment and dedication, today an in future sermons I will address SIN and ways to identify and prevent it.

Todays sin is HYPOCRISY.

What is in a word? Sometimes just the meaning, sometimes the truth, but sometimes several "versions" of the word can obscure the meaning and bring forth the sin of hypocrisy. How you may ask? Well it is easy to spot the hypocrite. One who states loyalty to a cause yet continually abandons the cause when it is not convenient, one who says they follow a principle yet do things to the contrary, one who is a liar, a deceiver and a fraud, one who often displays the faults mentioned in my earlier sermon on commitment and dedication.

You see brothers and sisters it is the sin of hypocrisy that exhibits itself when one does not truly believe or support a cause but merely pays it lip service. When one is truly committed and dedicated there is no chance of hypocrisy because only true behaviors will exhibit themselves. But for the hypocrite this is clearly not the case.

What are some examples of hypocrisy you may ask? Well there are many examples among us every day exhibited by the lessor races and inferiors who do not follow the true God of Amarr. There are those who say they value the rights of individual choice.... yet fail to respect the choices others make. There are those who say they fight those who oppress others.... yet fly with pirates who clearly do just that.

The hypocrite often has many excuses for his behavior yet the evidence of their hypocrisy is clearly apparent to all who look with open eyes. Excuses often range from "well they don't hurt me so I won't hurt them".... ignoring the fact they then hurt others who also didn't hurt them in the name of some false "cause".

Either a cause is believed and applied 100% of the time or it is not a cause someone is dedicated too.

Imagine for a minute you pledge your life to fighting pirates. You believe with all your heart they steal the freedom of man to travel the stars. You fight day and night against these sinners.... yet in one system you frequent you sit at a gate with them and do not attack them because they didn't attack you. Yet you attack other pirates who also didn't attack you in the name of your cause.

That brothers and sisters is the epitome of hypocrisy.

Only in being true to a cause, in living a committed and dedicated life at all times, in worshiping God and following His commands, only then will you truly be free of the temptations of hypocrisy. The hypocrite takes the easy way out of everything. The hypocrite is a con-artist, a pirate, a flimflam artist who tries to pull the blinders over your eyes so you see only his false act and not the truth.

But there is a defense. GOD is that defense. By staying true to God, true to the Empire, true to honesty, dedication and commitment, by staying true to yourself and your character as an Amarrian, that is how you avoid the sin of hypocrisy. You're living a life that is a model on display to all. Do you follow a principle only when convenient? Do you claim a position on others yet not equally enforce it on all and in fact join with those you would politically totally oppose? Do you then make up excuses?

If you do brothers and sisters I suggest you see your Priest quickly and repent. Find God and fine the truth. Your soul is at stake and God has no room for hypocrites.

Archbishop
Priest