Portraying Someone in a False Light

Most people like to see their name in print.

But not Eddie Bueno.

When Bueno saw his family’s name mentioned in the local newspaper, he was not happy. In fact, he was downright “devastated.”

He had spent nearly his whole life trying to escape his family and so far had succeeded; the last thing he wanted was to read an article about his family with the headline “Denver’s Biggest Crime Family.” The article described how 15 of the 18 children of Pete and Della Bueno had a string of arrests, dubbing them “Denver’s biggest crime family.”

Just one big problem. The article did not mention that Eddie was not one of those 15 of 18 children, or that he had lived an upright successful life since age 13 when he left the family to pursue a better way.

What is one to do when one’s character is publicly portrayed inaccurately? He was hurt enough to do something about it, so he sued the newspaper for portraying him in a “false light.” Such suits, which are similar to charges of defamation of character, are allowed by 30 states. The United States Supreme Court has also approved false light legal actions.

A jury agreed that Bueno had been portrayed unjustly in a false light and awarded him over $100,000. But on appeal, another justice overturned the case.

Many Christians now prefer the title “Christ-follower.” I find either title quite challenging.

Christians offer a confession of sin on a regular basis in church. One of the things we admit when we do so is that we all too often present Christ in a false light. I find it so much easier to think of other individuals or groups, especially those with whom I disagree, who present Christ in a false light.

Maybe for a while today, I can think of how I have done so. Maybe you, reader, can do the same.