Thursday, October 19, 2006
on truth
I had an interesting talk on msn today with an individual who contends that what a person believes to be true is indeed true for that person.
I have to say, this makes no logical sense to me.
All of humanity observes certain physical laws that govern our universe, and an observant person can also observe spiritual patterns that affect how humans interact. An example would be gravity. it is accepted as a true thing that actually exists and has power because we all see it working in our lives. Sometimes we appreciate it, and sometimes we strive against it, but we never question its existence. For me to say, "I don't believe in gravity so I'm gonna jump off this cliff and fly to the sun" would be totally moronic and regardless of the degree of my faith, I would be jumping to my death.
Likewise, take a more subtle spiritual "law" such as that of sowing and reaping, or karma, if you will. The fact of the matter is that sooner or later we all reap the consequences of our behaviour. I acknowledge that as truth because I see the effect of it on my life and the lives of the people around me.
So this "truth is what I believe it is" seems to me like an excuse to ignore the whole concept of truth altogether. and if you're going to do that, why not just be straight with me, and tell me that you don't care about truth, you just want to do your own thing? I can accept that. I don't expect everyone to go running around on a quest for truth. You don't have to come up with a highly illogical run-around to convince me that your position is valid.
More and more lately I'm learning just how much I appreciate clarity and honesty. Not just honesty about what you think but honesty about why you think you think that.... if that makes any sense.
One thing I learned about myself today is that I believe in Truth... with a capital T. I believe that there is a spiritual reality out there that I can never completely grasp, one that I could always be wrong about, one that embodies paradoxes and therefore seems to contradict itself.... but I think it's there, and that some people see more of it than others.
So.... I've got that settled then. I can go to bed.
I have to say, this makes no logical sense to me.
All of humanity observes certain physical laws that govern our universe, and an observant person can also observe spiritual patterns that affect how humans interact. An example would be gravity. it is accepted as a true thing that actually exists and has power because we all see it working in our lives. Sometimes we appreciate it, and sometimes we strive against it, but we never question its existence. For me to say, "I don't believe in gravity so I'm gonna jump off this cliff and fly to the sun" would be totally moronic and regardless of the degree of my faith, I would be jumping to my death.
Likewise, take a more subtle spiritual "law" such as that of sowing and reaping, or karma, if you will. The fact of the matter is that sooner or later we all reap the consequences of our behaviour. I acknowledge that as truth because I see the effect of it on my life and the lives of the people around me.
So this "truth is what I believe it is" seems to me like an excuse to ignore the whole concept of truth altogether. and if you're going to do that, why not just be straight with me, and tell me that you don't care about truth, you just want to do your own thing? I can accept that. I don't expect everyone to go running around on a quest for truth. You don't have to come up with a highly illogical run-around to convince me that your position is valid.
More and more lately I'm learning just how much I appreciate clarity and honesty. Not just honesty about what you think but honesty about why you think you think that.... if that makes any sense.
One thing I learned about myself today is that I believe in Truth... with a capital T. I believe that there is a spiritual reality out there that I can never completely grasp, one that I could always be wrong about, one that embodies paradoxes and therefore seems to contradict itself.... but I think it's there, and that some people see more of it than others.
So.... I've got that settled then. I can go to bed.
posted by ursa smaller at 9:53 PM |
1 Comments:
I agree with you on this point and I find relative truth an absolute cop-out. I am not saying I have a handle on the whole truth about spirituality but I am trying in all honesty also...and I get fed lines like that too (which I find hold no truth). I think there is something to this whole God thing and I will never fully know without the experiences of others...sharing in the search.
Post a Comment
<< Home