When you have a situation where two sides tell contradictory stories of the same event, how do you tell who is lying?
1. Consider first of all that though both can't be right, both can be wrong. Did the event happen at all, and is there forensic evidence to establish that it did?
2. If the event happened, ask what motivation each side might have for lying. What might each be trying to accomplish by telling such a lie? This will point a probabilistic finger in one direction or another.
3. Ask who benefits from the lie (
cui bono, in Latin), and what those benefits would be. Probabilities point to the side with the most to gain from lying.
4. Look at the histories of each side: is there a pattern of lying and deceptive behavior on both sides, or is it more on one side than another. Again, probability points a finger. Unfortunately, there are many cases in life that for whatever reason do not make it to a court of law. In such cases, we need to let our reason govern
(And if you suspect God exists, remember: even if you fool the humans, you don't fool the Lord.)
John Cunyus
Searchlight Press