Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The Moment of Truth

I caught a new television show last night I've not seen before called The Moment of Truth. The gist of the show is that contestants answer very personal questions, in front of their spouses and families for a chance to win half a million dollars. They can only advance if their answers are completely truthful as determined by a polygraph.

Apparently last night's show was more dramatic than usual, as the host actually gave a disclaimer about half way through saying this was his most uncomfortable moment in his entire career and if it had been up to him it would never have aired. The woman playing revealed before her husband, her parents and her siblings that she knew secrets about her father that she kept from her mother, she was in love with another man on her wedding day, she thought she should be married to an old boyfriend and she had slept with someone other than her husband since their wedding two years ago. The host kept saying things like, "Are you sure you want to continue? I don't think you know how tough these questions are going to get." She insisted on going on and I got the feeling it was because she wanted to get all of it off her chest. It was her way of telling her husband everything she couldn't alone.

You have to give the woman credit for doing whatever it took to confess.

The ironic thing is the question that tripped her up was, "Do you think you're a good person?" She answered yes, but the polygraph said it was a false answer which meant she went home without a cent.

I have to admit I'd like to get my husband in that chair for a few questions. No, I don't think he's harboring any deep, dark secrets from me, but I often wonder if there are things he doesn't tell me in order to spare my feelings. How do you know if he's just being nice?

And then I have to ask myself, do I really want to know? Is it better to have my feelings protected or is it better to know the truth?

What do you think?


8 comments:

Brenda said...

I want my husband to tell me things just to be nice and then I choose to believe him. De Nile is a beautiful place. Of course, there are times when I need his honesty but do I really want to know if these pants make me look fat? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Rachelle said...

I don't think you want to know. Some thoughts, are better left unsaid.

Denise said...

I think that if she had things to get off her chest, she could have at least been kind enough to consider how all of this was going to affect him. Speaking in private is one thing, but sharing this with him at the same time as the rest of the world is somewhat cruel. Poor guy! I would agree -the careful choosing of words and thoughts is critical.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I want someone, anyone saying anything just to be "nice". Some things should be shared quietly and with gentleness and respect for the other person. I always want the truth, even if it hurts....there are some things you only share privately.

Susannah said...

You have some good insights. I'm sure you're right about that poor woman wanting to get everything off her chest.

Scripture does say "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

She must have known that verse or intuited it.

You're right about our husbands wanting to protect our feelings, and not always being totally forthcoming. I've noticed when I make a concerted effort not to react emotionally and to have an accepting attitude, my husband feels more free to be open with me about difficult subjects.

I think there's a mutual reciprocal thing that goes on. At the very moment I'm ready to hear it, he gets to the point of being able to speak it. Funny, eh?

Blessings!

Pam said...

I always thought my husband was telling me the truth and never doubted it but when he dropped the bomb on me 8 years ago and said he has been unfaithful to me on more then one occassion during our 12 years of marriage I realized that all those years he was just telling me what I wanted to hear to make me happy. The hurt and pain I went through was enormous but I found God in it and eventually my new husband and I have total faith in him that he will be honest and tell me what should be said even if the truth hurts. I have to remind myself of 8 years ago when I get discouraged when my husband now doesn't sugar coat it but I love him all the more. I have pity on the woman in the show and my heart goes out to the husband and everyone she distroyed when telling the "truth". Nothing cuts the air out of you more quickly or painfully and I pray he gets the help he is needing.

eph2810 said...

Yikes! I am no sure if the couple will be married anymore or if that was a 'cleansing'. I hope that they can reconcile.

Thanks for sharing...

Anonymous said...

Tami: Long time no hear! I bet you have been busy, as have I. I love the new look of your blog! I usually read your posts in a feedreader so haven't actually come and look at it for awhile. It's lovely.

I'm putting a couple of your posts into the Carnival this week because I think they are outstanding and really want to spotlight them. I'm taking the liberty because I'm sure you won't mind! :-)

I haven't been writing much lately . . . too busy! But I hope to do so soon.

Blessings to you, my friend,

HS