Ericsson’s “The Way We Lie” demonstrates an application of pathos throughout her story choice. In the section “Ignoring the Plain Facts” the Catholic Church hoped to believe in Father Porter. The emotional ties to religion are deep and most people want to believe that the people in all facets of power (including religious) will be ethical, virtuous, and fair for the greater good. One wants to believe that a priest upholds the law and traditional values, furthering the case for pathos in this section. As a spiritual leader, Father Porter was given the authority to be just that, a leader. The Catholic Church hoped to believe in their priest and his rehabilitation. However, the gravity of the crime (pedophilia) and the potential risk to others