The greatest threat to the human race is not nuclear weapons, global tyrants, or skyrocketing debt.
It’s hyperbole.
Yep. Exaggeration. Intentional overstatement, of which even this conglomeration of syllables itself qualifies.
I’m climbing on one of my soapboxes here this morning, but I’m growing quite weary of hyperbole. We all use it to make our points, but I think it’s time we start being a little more honest with ourselves.
Over the weekend, we took the kids to see The Lorax at the dollar theater (which is apparently $2.50 now?). It’s Dr. Seuss, Zac Efron, and Taylor Swift. Could there be a better way to spend a 107 degree July afternoon? Guess I should’ve done more research, because what I saw was nothing short of an animated indoctrination film. Let me see if I can sum it up for you:
Business owners are evil men who want to destroy the world for their own personal gain.
I spent the drive home unwinding the brainwash embedded amongst the brilliant animation and catchy song lyrics.

This isn’t a veiled political statement. Honest, God-fearing, Kingdom-minded people can (and do) have conflicting opinions on these types of conversations. What makes me angry isn’t disagreement or strong opinions, it’s the gross categorization and assumption of motivation for any endeavor.
When I watched that film, I didn’t see Gordon Gecko, Martha Stewart, or Bernie Madoff.
- I saw my friend Steve, who’s mortgage closing business, after 5 years of incredible sacrifice (that he would never tell you about), is now providing jobs for four families and income for countless subcontractors each month. (Although he uses paper. Lots of paper. So I guess he may need a visit from a moustached, animated creature, too).
- I saw my buddy Daniel, who’s marketing firm has exploded over the last 3 years. His business provides jobs for 5 families (with more hires on the way) and also helps other business become more successful.
- I saw my dad, who’s 20 years of gut-wrenching hard work and sleepless nights created jobs for over 65 people, and affordable housing for over 2,000 families across Indiana and the Midwest. (Not to mention countless dollars for missions projects around the globe).
Defending free enterprise isn’t my point. Challenging the lure of rogue categorization and over-exaggeration to make a point is my point. We all can do it. We all need to be cautious of it.
In politics.
In education.
In relationships.
In business.
In media.
In The Church.
(Big churches, small churches, regional churches, neighborhood churches, organized churches, organic churches, churches with buildings, churches in homes – blah, blah, blah, blah, blah).
I’m growing tired of hyperbole. We love to create straw men and light them on fire. It draws a crowd. It gets attention. It’s easy.
Are there disgusting, greedy, self-absorbed, tyrant business men seeking to get all they can at the expense of everyone and everything around them?
Absolutely.
But when we paint with broad, exaggerated brushes, we distort the truth and miss the nuanced beauty. And that’s too bad. For all of us, I think.
Just my two cents. What do you think?