Before television, there was the radio. Radio became common in the United States in the 1920’s with the first commercial broadcasts. Almost anyone could afford a radio. Since I was born in 1932, the radio was our source of family entertainment. As I studied how rumors, slanders and boldface lying are so common for us mortals, I thought about the old rumor concerning “Uncle Don’s Radio” program. The rumor and slander became an urban legion. Howard Rice, born in 1897, a former vaudeville performer, portrayed Uncle Don. The rumor was that Howard Rice said some ugly things at the close of one of his broadcasts, not knowing that the mike was still on. Over the years, this was proven wrong. However, the radio program ceased because of this rumor and slander.
Christians must not be guilty of slander. “Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie” (Revelation 22:14-15 ASV). “For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth” (Proverbs 26:20). “The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts” (Proverbs 26:22). “Truth is generally the best vindication against slander” (Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865). “Rumor travels faster, but it doesn’t stay put as long as truth” (Will Rogers 1879-1935).
