At one time or another in our lives, we’re presented with an ethical dilemma—truth or loyalty? Sometimes our desire to live honestly or seek justice interferes with our desire for community. Most spiritual traditions uphold honesty and justice above loyalty. If all of us lived with integrity, we wouldn’t have to choose. We would know that if a person, political group, or work situation acts dishonestly, we would be best to choose truth. Loyalty means nothing if it’s not held together by truth. Loyalty ultimately weakens if it’s woven with threads of greed, intolerance, or lust.
