The Truth About Truth

Everybody knows about the truth, right? The only problem is that there are many versions of it.

I live in a community where cable television has a multi-faith channel. On it are many religions. Guess what? They all claim to have the truth. Even among the Christian denominations there are many different interpretations. Is the ad for Revelation 17 off to the side? Is it really the truth?

When I had the occasion to live in London, England, I had the opportunity of reading every daily newspaper. There were at least seven of them, all giving their versions of the truth. Guess what, again? Their versions of the truth varied.

The first reaction that many people have is that the people who don’t share their viewpoint are misguided or intellectually inferior. Some feel that those who come up with these ideas do so in order to control others.

I feel that adopting these attitudes is too simple. It is often insulting to those who hold one belief or another. Just because somebody doesn’t share your version of the truth, doesn’t mean they are any less or more than you are. It doesn’t mean that they haven’t examined the evidence and thought about it seriously. It only means that they have come to a different conclusion.

I have not walked the same path as you have. I have not experienced the same life as you have. Thus, my interpretation of life is going to be different than yours.

Am I saying, then, that there is no absolute truth? No. What I am saying is that what your perception of the absolute truth may be different than another’s. They key word is perception.

Unfortunately, what happens in many cases is that people mock somebody’s version of the truth. The idea of an open pit for debate is often squelched. The object of any discussion is to defeat the other person, rather than explore new ideas.

I remember asking a Christian Science friend of mine if she thought of me as an intellectual equal, superior or inferior. She said, “Inferior, of course.” With my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, I told her that I felt the same way about her.

I am not saying don’t have a belief. There is a saying that if you believe in nothing, you will fall for anything. I am not saying that you shouldn’t seriously study whatever you believe in. What I am saying is that you should not be afraid when others have ideas and beliefs that contradict yours. Weigh what they say carefully and appreciate that most have not come to that conclusion lightly. Above all, treat everyone with dignity, respect and love. If, indeed, you are right, it is the dignity, respect and love that will draw them closer to your truth.