TRUTH - ABSOLUTE OR RELATIVE?

            I read recently that, a survey of the American public revealed that 66% agreed with the statement: "There is no such thing as absolute truth."

        As I pondered this, the next part I read definitely surprised me; according to the latest research:

"53 % of adults in church believe there is no absolute truth."

     

        Perhaps it's my simple mind that finds this baffling. How can this be? Has the church failed to teach the basic "truths" of the Bible? Does the natural realm indicate this to be true?

        Does our society want be so diplomatically correct that we are more concerned with acceptance and all-inclusiveness that we are willing to ignore what is actually true and false?

      I looked up the definition of "truth" in the dictionary, which states that truth is the following:

·          The true or actual state of a matter.

·          Conformity with fact or reality; verity.

·          A verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle.

·          The state or character of being true

·          Actuality or actual existence.

   And the following:

    •   Truth is discovered not invented

    •   Truth is transcultural: it can be conveyed across different cultures.

    •   Truth is unchanging: it can be conveyed across time.

    •   Beliefs cannot change a truth statement no matter how sincere one may be.

    •   Truth is unaffected by the attitude of the one professing it.

    •   All Truths are absolute.

    •   Truth is knowable.

        How can "truth" be created? Or how can "truth" be a matter of perspective and each culture or individual define for themselves what truth is?

        When truth is believed to be relative; then there is no absolute truth, because absolute truth unknowable.

        If one believes that truth is a matter of a group or an individual’s perspective, one’s beliefs can change a [the] truth. And if an individual determines truth, truth will be affected by the attitude of the one professing it.

        Did you follow that?  Relativism is a self-defeating position. A self-defeating statement is one that fails its own standard. To say, “There are no absolute truths,” is, indeed, an absolute truth statement. To say, “there is no truth,” is a statement of truth. When a relativist says, “All truth is relative,” we need to ask him, “Is that a relative statement?” If it is, then why should we take his statement seriously? When someone claims that all truth is relative and believes that all should hold this principle, he just made an absolute truth statement.

        What we learn from this point leads us to another instance of how relativism fails. To say, “there is no truth,” requires one to acknowledge a truth statement. The truth that there is no truth is self-defeating. Thus, truth does exist and is undeniable.

        Relativists believe that humans cannot know the true nature of reality, individuals are shaped by their culture, and no one can be objective. Therefore, they reject the idea that truth can be arrived at through reasoning.

         

        I realize that I might have got a bit complicated here trying to explain this, but I have a hard time understanding their belief that [absolute] "truth" cannot be known and is different for each individual.

        If I make the statement, “God exists,” then its opposite, “God does not exist,” cannot be true at the same time. If one is true, the other must be false.

       If I make the statement that "my dog is white", this is either a true statement or it is not true. Your dog may be of a different color but that does not change the "truth" that my dog is white. How anyone can argue "truth" is beyond my comprehension. Two plus two will always add up to four. That is truth. We may not like the truth; we may not even understand "truth".  But "truth" cannot change. It is absolute! 

         I am so glad that I have not been indoctrinated to accept this illogical thought: that "my truth" and "your truth" can be different. Yet we are both right?

        However the saddest part is that 53% of adults in church believe there is no absolute truth! Then how can they absolutely believe and trust in God? There are no absolutes! God becomes relative! God's exists only by relation to something else; not absolute or independent from us. God can be relevant or pertinent to one but not another.  If God is relative then how can we place our belief and our hope in Him? We are the most pitiful! There is no right or wrong because my "truth" can make what's right for me – wrong for you!

        I call this circular thinking and it makes me crazy. If you've ever had a discussion with someone who believes that there is no absolute truth – that all truth is relative, you will understand.  How any intelligent person can allow themselves to believe this is beyond me! 

       Isaiah 1:18 says: “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord… 

 

And Ecclesiastes 7:25: "I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, To know the wickedness of folly, Even of foolishness and madness."

        

I'd appreciate your comments!