Search for Truth
Published June 23, 2005
By David Film
Some time ago I bought a dusty 20 volume set of Collier’s Book of Knowledge. Scanning some of the pages, I came across such headings as “Why is fire hot?”, and “Why doesn’t the Sun burn out?”. Complex equations to show how the nuclear principle of the Sun’s furnace is practically a perpetual machine. Subject after subject dealt with things that made the reader think. It whetted the appetite for knowledge, and thoughtful people thrive on such a thing. At least, they did at one time. I have spent years producing and writing articles, brochures, poems on thought-provoking subjects just trying to get people to stop and ask themselves a few questions. This article is an attempt to revive that “art” of thinking.
People from all walks of life, regardless of background, always act on a motive: some are more obvious than others. If people were honest with themselves, they would realize that most of us deceive ourselves by any one of a hundred different ways, usually in two categories:
1: We rationalize our thinking, and
2: We justify our actions.
If I were given a one-time opportunity to present a subject I have written on over the years, it would be what you are about to read here. It is so crucial, so strategic and so important that the very central verse in the entire Bible speaks on it.
Psalm 118 is the central chapter of the Bible, with 594 chapters before it and 594 chapters following. Psalm 118:8 (the central verse) says, “It is better to to trust (chacah) in the LORD (Jehovah) than to put confidence (batach) in man (’adam).” That’s five words in Hebrew, and “Jehovah” sits exactly in the center.
”And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) One’s quest for truth will also show his independence: independence from vestiges of the concepts, mentalities, and machinery surrounding him and attempting to control him — a system that is in the business of control, dependency, and putting him to sleep.
If you only know how to get in your car and turn the key, you are totally dependent on the car dealer, the mechanic, the manufacturer, or anyone else that knows what to do if it doesn’t start. If, however, you acquire some background of auto mechanics and how cars work (or why they don’t), you have become independent from those who want $50 an hour to fix it for you.
So it is with everything around us, including a knowledge of the truth. If you know how a magician does his tricks, he can no longer keep you in the dark. You can watch from the rear of the audience at his fascinating illusions and chuckle under your breath because you have an edge on the crowd. It’s the same with economics, politics, technology and practically every other aspect of life around us. It is also the same with things we can’t see: ways we think, opinions, philosophies and beliefs.
- Search for Truth
- Published: June 23, 2005
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Culture
- Filed Under: Culture: Family and Relationships, Culture: Society, Politics: U.S.
- Writer: ApathyOnline
- ApathyOnline's BC Writer page
- ApathyOnline's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Actually, you two are shills and this article is mixture of cliches and arrant claptrap.
>>The age for sexual consent is traditionally 18. However, in some states it is as low as 16; in Canada, it's 14; in the United Kingdom, 16; Spain's age of consent is 13; and in the Netherlands, it's 12. One might say it is all relative, but is there an underlying element that points to a general degradation in society which causes the age to become lower and lower? Perhaps we may find an answer to "What is truth?" from observations like this.<<
Or perhaps we may find that historically the age of consent has been INCREASING not decreasing, which doesn't really bear out the theory that society is degenerating.
>>Personally, I would not put much stock in a professor of higher learning who has "philosophical" views (which may well change tomorrow) with no regard for God or what He may think.<<
You don't think that the basic principles of moral philosophy, which predate the Bible aren't as firm and well established as the Bible? An adherent of the Bible could just as easily change his interpretation as someone guided by non-Biblical philosophy.
>> By the same token, I would give someone a wide berth who doesn't adhere to basic principles that have been proven to be true. But then, we find ourselves coming full circle with the question "What is truth?"<<
Well, the Bible hasn't been proven to be true, so you should steer wide of preachers and those who base their lives on the Bible. They're the most dangerous sort since they base their beliefs on pure belief rather than demonstrable truth.
Dave
Jesus was conceived outside wedlock by a 14 year old girl and a ghost. Now before I am crucified for being a blasphemer, point to me what in my statement is incorrect?
Silas, i want some DNA for proof of the "ghost" part...
if it was an "immaculate conception" then the child should have ONLY the mother's DNA...yes?
that would be a good start...
next?
Excelsior!
Isn't it amazing, Gonzo, that no one who wraps themselves in the swaddling clothes of Christ dares dispute my contention? If Mary were among us today as a Latina or black girl pregnant and out of wedlock, the Christian fundamentalists would be the first to brand her a harlot. The only Immaculate Conception in my eyes is the plan Constantine had to homogenize his society. Oh, no. I said HOMOgenize. They'll think that I am saying Christ was gay.
Boys, boys, boys.... Please get your Catholic doctrine right. Immaculate conception has nothing to do with how Jesus was conceived. It has to do with how his mother, Mary, was born without original sin.
oh, don't get me started on the whole "original sin" and the scapegoat "sacrifical lamb" thing, bhw
last thing we need around here is me going off for a few pages on that tired old bit, eh?
but Silas makes great points above...
whatever Inspires the Insights of great Teachers like Jesus or Buddha to try and share their Enlightenment of a spiritual Way with the rest of us is one thing...
but it is always those that want to make their living from it that found a "church" and fuck the whole thing up...
..:::blue lights and sirens:::..
"we know your in there, gonzo..step away from the keyboard...
Excelsior!
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/31472)
deep shit.