The Jussie Smollett case is a perfect example of the difference between "lying" and "bearing false witness against your neighbor." Lying is not a sin, we all do it to cover our asses over minor stuff all the time. It is human, and generally pretty harmless. "No, momma, I did not eat that cookie..." It is a lie, but not really worthy of my roasting in hell forever, right?
However, "Momma, I did not eat that cookie. I saw Susie eat it!" Well, Suzie is only 1 and she cannot talk, so she will not be able to speak in her own defense, leaving me the sole witness able to testify truthfully. If I pin my crime on defenseless Suzie, I deserve to roast for it. Imagine if some poor white guy in a MAGA hat had happened to wander down the street that night? He would have been crucified for "what he did to Jussie."
One of the MOST noble aspects of the human species is the ability to stand against tyranny. When we choose to make a stand against TRUTH instead... fire up the brimstone furnace!