True knowledge lies in eye of the believer
by KC Jones, reporter

    Years ago, respected men of knowledge said the world was flat, and anyone who disagreed with them was considered crazy.

    Today, well-known scientists, who for years have been claiming the universe is a random occurrence, are changing their statements and saying the universe is ordered and structured.

    So what is the truth?

    Just because we don’t know all the answers, doesn’t mean that truth does not exist.

    However, some are convinced that truth doesn’t exist.

    In the 21st century American society, the philosophy that is permeating our culture says that truth is not something that can be obtained. The message is that no absolutes exist.

    Unfortunately, even the leaders as well as the legal system of this country seem to support this belief. To many government officials, truth is whatever the majority of people agree with or whatever helps advance their own personal power and political goals.

    When there is no basis for truth, there is no basis for right or wrong.

    But don’t facts support the idea that truth exists? Some people still argue that facts are not reliable and events like Hitler’s genocide of millions of people never happened.

    When confronted by a disturbing truth, people often turn away and refuse to listen. They push the truth so far away that it no longer affects them. Or, they let prejudice blind them from the truth.

    One thing is for certain; throughout the entire world, people have the ability to believe whatever they want. It is impossible to force a belief on someone. Some beliefs, however, do have consequences.
    Certain people have died because of what they believe. Sometimes the cause is something considered wholesome or worth dying for.
    People admire those who have died for country, religion or loved ones.

    Some people die because they believe something that is not true, such as “I’m not drunk. I can drive safely.” In truth, they are drunk and can’t drive safely. Stubbornness can blind one from the truth.

    Another reason people no longer want to believe in truth is they don’t want to admit they could have been wrong. But the truth is, everyone is wrong sometime. We all do things that are wrong, and doing something wrong is wrong, no matter what the circumstances.

    It is easy to think we have the truth and that those who disagree with us don’t have any truth at all. That is probably why there are so many divorces; neither person wants to admit they are wrong in the relationship, so it disintegrates.

    Many people don’t realize how important it is to tell the truth; it builds trust and makes committed human relationships possible.

    The truth is clear, but our ability to understand is imperfect. Experiencing suffering can drive us beyond superficial acceptance of truth to a dependence on it, such as drought drives the roots of a tree deeper to find water.

    The truth also can be uncomfortable. Most people prefer lies and illusions when they make us feel more secure. However, it is much better to face reality than to live a lie.

    It is not good to settle for something that makes you feel comfortable but is not true. The truth will provide the right path to follow.

    So, it is not enough to recognize truth; it must be lived each day.
    But some people do not understand the truth because they are not ready for it. When a person is willing to act on it, it will become visible in their lives.

    Finally, once a person finds the truth, he or she must hold on to it. Pressures of persecution or one’s own apathy can lead one to waver from the truth.

    We must be committed to the truth. The truth never changes. It will set us free from self-deception, allowing us to be all we can be and bring joy to our lives.