When we look at human history, we see that the first case of ‘disinformation‘ in sacred texts was the misleading information spread by Satan to deceive Adam and Eve, the first humans. Satan distorted the truth by claiming that eating the forbidden fruit would grant access to God’s wisdom, leading to humanity’s first moral trial.
Although the fundamental principles of religions include prohibitions against ‘deviating from truth‘ (lying and distorting facts), it is a notable paradox that religion-based disinformation is frequently used to manipulate masses in the digital age. For example, distorted religious narratives on social media have become a common tool for creating polarization among communities.
Belief systems have historically viewed information pollution as a threat to social harmony, justice, and spiritual integrity. Major religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism have addressed this issue within their theological and philosophical frameworks, condemning falsehood as a source of individual and societal harm while upholding truth as a moral virtue. The sacred texts of each religion emphasize the necessity of transmitting knowledge with integrity and warn against the destructive consequences of intentional or unintentional misinformation.
In Jewish tradition, truth is the cornerstone of the covenant with God. One of the Ten Commandments in the Torah, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16), safeguards social justice. The command “You shall not lie” in Leviticus 19:11 mandates honesty in all relationships. The Talmud’s concept of ‘lashon hara‘ (evil speech) aims to prevent the spread of harmful words, even if not technically false, illustrating how gossip or misdirection can disrupt social cohesion. The teachings of Moses forbid the distortion of sacred texts (Deuteronomy 4:2), emphasizing that information pollution contradicts divine will. Jewish ethics, through the principle of ‘tikkun olam‘ (repairing the world), argue that even concealing the truth can weaken society.
In the New Testament, lying is described as ‘a trait of the Devil‘ (John 8:44), and false teachings risk dividing communities (2 Peter 2:1). Paul’s call to “Put away falsehood and speak the truth to your neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25) urges communication to be grounded in honesty. Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees for hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27-28) highlights the moral decay inherent in contradictions between outward appearances and true intentions.
In Islam, truthfulness reflects faith, while lying is considered a major sin. The Quran warns, “Do not mix truth with falsehood” (Al-Baqarah 2:42), prohibiting deliberate distortion of truth. Surah Al-Hujurat 49:6 advises believers to verify information to avoid societal harm, stressing the dangers of spreading unverified claims. The Prophet Muhammad’s hadith, “Truthfulness leads to Paradise, and lying leads to Hell” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Faith, Hadith 6094), underscores the spiritual consequences of words. Concepts like slander (ifk) and gossip (ghibah) are condemned for their potential to harm individual reputations through misinformation.
In Buddhist teachings, Right Speech is a key element of the Noble Eightfold Path. Lying is seen as an act with karmic consequences; the Dhammapada (Chapter 13, Verse 176) warns, “One who speaks lies will not escape evil.” The Kalama Sutta encourages followers to question hearsay and speak only what is beneficial. The Sigalovada Sutta notes that harmful speech disrupts social harmony, while the Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta emphasizes how intentional falsehood leads to moral decline. Buddhist ethics advocate speech that is not only truthful but also kind and purposeful.
In Hinduism, ‘satya‘ (truth) is a core moral principle. The Bhagavad Gita (16.2) elevates truthfulness as a mark of spiritual purity. Lying is considered contrary to ‘dharma‘ (universal order) and generates karmic repercussions, reflecting a shared emphasis on truth with other religions.
Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) stress that lying invites divine judgment, while Buddhism and Hinduism warn that falsehood disrupts individual and societal peace by prolonging karmic cycles. However, all faiths agree that information pollution erodes trust and divides societies. Abrahamic religions view truth as allegiance to God, whereas Eastern traditions frame it as part of universal harmony. These differing motivations reinforce a shared ethical stance against information pollution: “Upholding truth and rejecting falsehood.”
In the digital age, these teachings can guide efforts to combat disinformation. For example, religious leaders can promote media literacy to help communities identify fake content (e.g., deepfake videos, manipulated religious texts). Dialogue platforms rooted in religions’ truth-centric principles can foster collective resistance to misinformation. Sacred texts and prophetic teachings urge not only speaking truth but actively seeking it—a call that grows ever more critical in an era of rapid-spreading fake news and manipulative content.